First precision gene editing in potential bioenergy source achieved by MSU鈥檚 Reichert, U.S. research team
Contact: Sam Kealhofer
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 无尽资源采集 State professor of biological sciences is part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists throughout the U.S. advancing efforts to produce alternative forms of 鈥済reener鈥 bioenergy by modifying plant gene function.
Nancy Reichert is part of the research team that for the first time has successfully demonstrated precision gene editing in miscanthus鈥攁 crop that shows great potential as a sustainable bioenergy source. The research is now published in .
鈥淲e are working toward a more 鈥榞reen鈥 future where plants like miscanthus could help replace existing 鈥榥on-green鈥 sources, such as bio-based energy contrasted with petroleum-based energy. This research moves us a few steps further down the path to reach this and similar goals,鈥 Reichert said.
Funded through the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, the researchers aimed to accelerate efforts to harness the untapped potential of the highly productive but genetically complex grass as a source for biofuels, renewable bioproducts and carbon capture.
They edited the genomes of three miscanthus species using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology鈥攁 far more targeted and efficient method than those used in the past. 聽
Unlike previous experimentation on miscanthus, which focused on introducing external genes at random places into the plant鈥檚 genomes, the team developed gene-editing procedures that allow researchers to selectively target existing genes within miscanthus to knockout or modify their function, as well as to introduce new genes into precise locations.
The targeting ability presents a new avenue for genetic improvement. Through these efforts, the team advances scientific capabilities to produce bioenergy as well as novel bioproducts like oils and specialty chemicals.
Reichert received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She attended graduate school at New Mexico State University where she worked in the new Plant Genetic Engineering Lab and received a Ph.D. in molecular biology.
Part of MSU鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Biological Sciences is online at .
MSU is 无尽资源采集鈥檚 leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.