CRISPR/Cas-mediated plant genome editing: outstanding challenges a decade after implementation
Teodoro Cardi, Jana Murovec, Allah Bakhsh, Justyna Boniecka, Tobias Bruegmann, Simon E. Bull, Tom Eeckhaut, Matthias Fladung, Vladislava Galović, Anna Linkiewicz, Tjaša Lukan, Isabel Mafra, K. Michalski, Musa Kavas, Alessandro Nicolia, Justyna A. Nowakowska, László Sági, Cecilia Sarmiento, Kubilay Yıldırım, Milica Zlatković, Göetz Hensel, Katrijn Van Laere
Abstract
The discovery of the CRISPR/Cas genome-editing system has revolutionized our understanding of the plant genome. CRISPR/Cas has been used for over a decade to modify plant genomes for the study of specific genes and biosynthetic pathways as well as to speed up breeding in many plant species, including both model and non-model crops. Although the CRISPR/Cas system is very efficient for genome editing, many bottlenecks and challenges slow down further improvement and applications. In this review we discuss the challenges that can occur during tissue culture, transformation, regeneration, and mutant detection. We also review the opportunities provided by new CRISPR platforms and specific applications related to gene regulation, abiotic and biotic stress response improvement, and de novo domestication of plants.