Crop Biotech Update

CRISPR-Cas9-mediated Editing of BADH2 for Better Rice Aroma

February 15, 2023

One of the most essential characteristics considered in rice breeding is fragrance. A key fragrance compound known as 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) is just one of the over 200 substances present in fragrant rice. Other plants also contain such substances that provides fragrant aroma, and they exhibit low levels of BETAINE ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE 2 (BADH2).

Experts from South China Agricultural University and University of Western Ontario reviewed the recent research involving BADH2 engineering using CRISPR-Cas9. It was found that engineering rice BADH2 can help increase 2-AP production, however, there are still a lot of restrictions on how it can be applied. Based on the collective findings about CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing of BADH2, the experts proposed potential future approaches to effectively target BADH2 and produce better fragrance in rice.

Read the abstract in Physiologia Plantarum.


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