Signal KAUST develops precise large-fragment gene insertion method for crops, published in Nature Biotechnology

Summary

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia developed a new method for precisely inserting large-scale genetic sequences into plant genomes, with results published in Nature Biotechnology. Unlike conventional CRISPR gene-editing tools, the method does not require cutting DNA strands, allowing large gene sequences to be inserted safely, which the researchers say is advantageous for introducing multiple genetic traits simultaneously. The technique was successfully tested in tobacco and rice crops. The team expects the approach to contribute to development of climate-change-resilient crops and to plant-based biomanufacturing applications such as vaccine and pharmaceutical production. The work represents a Global South-originated advance in agricultural biotechnology with potential relevance to food security and industrial biomanufacturing.