U3 AOS2 Topic 4: Use of DNA Manipulation for Agriculture

CRISPR cas9 is a technology which can be used to edit the genome as cas9 is an endonuclease enzyme capable of cutting specific DNA sequence called as recognition site using the instructions provided by CRISPR sequence. This technology can alter the DNA sequence and therefore is helpful to make genetically modified organisms (GMO) with desired phenotype by removing unwanted alleles from its genome.

This technology can be used in agriculture to make genetically modified plants with better crops in different ways:

1.    Enhance the crop production with increased nutritional value.

2.    Increase efficiency of photosynthesis.

3.    Disease resistance.

4.   Increase crop tolerance for harsh physical conditions like frost or drought and harsh chemical conditions like herbicides and pesticides.

CRISPR cas9 technology can potentially change the crop by following ways:

1.    Target Rubisco enzyme to change its function as it can bind to oxygen instead of carbon dioxide to carry out a wasteful reaction called as photorespiration.

2.   Edit the function of chloroplast so that it can absorb more sunlight and be more efficient.

3.   Target stomata to improve the uptake of CO₂.

CRISPR cas9 technology is a recent technology and there is still room for more research to improve its applications.