CROP BIOTECH UPDATE
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A weekly summary of world developments in agri-biotech for developing countries, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)
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August 26, 2026
In This Week’s Issue:
News
Global
• Webinar: Global Impact of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops
New Breeding Technologies
• CRISPR Reveals Gene Linked to Tilapia Virus Resistance
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NEWS
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Global
WEBINAR: GLOBAL IMPACT OF COMMERCIALIZED BIOTECH/GM CROPS
Join the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Inc. and CropLife Asia for a Global Launch Webinar on the Global Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Biotech/GM Crops on September 17, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM (SGT) via Zoom and live streaming on social media platforms. Registration is now open to all interested participants.
With more than 35 years of training and expertise in food and agricultural economics, agricultural economist Graham Brookes from PG Economics Ltd. will unveil the findings of the 1996-2024 assessment, offering insights into the impacts of nearly three decades of biotech/GM crop adoption. The assessment builds on the research previously presented in ISAAA Brief 57, which examined the contributions of biotech crops to food security, sustainability, and climate change solutions from 1996-2020.
The webinar will also provide an interactive platform for scientific exchange and data-driven discussion, bringing together perspectives on the global adoption and acceptance of biotech/GM crops. The discussions will include the following topics:
Register now for free to secure a slot at bit.ly/GlobalGMCrops2026. To stay updated, follow ISAAA on Facebook, X, and Instagram. For inquiries, email meetings@isaaa.org.
A study from the University of Edinburgh used the CRISPR-Cas genome editing tool to investigate genetic factors that could help tilapia resist Tilapia lake virus (TiLV), a major threat to aquaculture. The study focused on ANP32A, a host protein that supports TiLV replication and could provide a target for developing more resistant tilapia.
The researchers first identified electroporation of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNP) as an effective gene-editing method for fish cells. They used the approach to create tilapia cells lacking the anp32a gene and exposed them to TiLV. Compared with the wild-type controls, the edited cells showed substantially lower viral replication and less cell damage after infection.
Further analyses showed that ANP32A helps TiLV replicate by maintaining cellular metabolism and protein production. The findings identify ANP32A as a potential target for developing TiLV-resistant tilapia and show how CRISPR-Cas editing can reveal genes involved in disease resistance in aquaculture species.
For more information, read the abstract from The University of Edinburgh.