Experts Highlight the Use of Precise Genetic Approaches to Develop Climate-Resilient Crops

A new review published in Science by experts from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Ghent University presents a roadmap for using genomics and plant developmental biology to engineer crops that can better withstand the effects of global warming. The study highlights new insights into how plant cell behavior can guide the creation of climate-smart agriculture.

The research team proposes the use of precise genetic approaches to make subtle tweaks to a plant's natural gene expression, rather than relying on broad modifications. Their research focuses on brassinosteroids, plant hormones that control growth, showing that optimal development depends on carefully balanced hormone levels. Using advanced tools such as single-cell transcriptomics and live imaging, the researchers tracked how plant cells regulate these growth signals in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

By combining spatial, genetic, and live-imaging data, the team revealed how plants coordinate growth with remarkable precision at the cellular level. The team aims to apply these insights to major food crops, such as rice, maize, and sorghum, to help them thrive under heat and water stress. The lead author said that understanding these molecular processes could enable “surgical-level precision” in engineering plants for future climates.

For more information, read the article from the California Institute of Technology.