Jun 16, 2023
The Samuel lab has embraced the gene editing technology and have access to several versions of the high efficiency Cas9 editing system for both academic and industrial applications. We have been able to successfully perform gene editing Arabidopsis, in the tetraploid Brassica napus canola, have recently established the platform in field pea and are collaboratively performing gene editing in rice. With industry partners, we are able to establish tissue culture-based transgenic technologies for the varieties of choice followed by gene-editing for trait improvement.
One of our first targets for gene-edited canola was the strigolactone receptor D14. This gene has 2 homologous copies in the tetraploid Brassica napus canola (one copy in each of the A and C genomes respectively). We were able to obtain edited lines in which both gene copies harboured biallelic mutations such that all four alleles were compromised. These lines exhibited enhanced branching, improved flowering and several other favorable agronomic qualities.
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