Biotech Updates

Experts Use CRISPR-Cpf1 for Cotton Genome Editing

May 22, 2019

Various kinds of gene editing tools are necessary for functional genomic research in cotton, a plant species with a very complex genome. CRISPR-Cpf1, a new addition to the CRISPR-Cas9 system, has three common types of Cpf1 for genome editing: AsCpf1, LbCpf1 and FnCpf1. Recent research has shown that CRISPR-Cpf1 have been used successfully on rice, soybean, tobacco, and maize. Scientists from Huazhong Agricultural University and Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China reported an efficient CRISPR-Cpf1 system to expand the scope of genome editing in cotton.

Results indicated that the CRISPR-Cpf1 system for cotton genome editing has a very high efficiency (87%) with no off-target effects observed. The mutated characteristics were also found to be inherited by the next generation.

Based on the findings, the CRISPR-Cpf1 system is highly specific and efficient for plant genome editing.

For more details, read the research article in Plant Biotechnology Journal.