Biotech Updates

Spanish Scientists Develop Virus Resistant Plants Through Gene Silencing

March 11, 2011

Researchers from the Centre for Soil and Applied Biology Segura (CEBAS-CSIC) used gene silencing to generate resistance in a number of varieties in the cucurbit family against several viral disease. A gene that encodes a protein used by the virus to replicate themselves in the plant cells has been made inactive in this strategy.

The research was initially started with melon, and transgenic melons developed through this approach were exposed to the nine diseases caused by this virus. Four of the transgenic lines remained symptomless. Result of this research is highly important to Spain which exports 5 to 10% of the annual Spanish production.

For more on the news, see the original news in Spanish at  http://fundacion-antama.org/investigadores-espanoles-logran-plantas-resistentes-a-diferentes-virus-inhibiendo-un-unico-gen/