PRRI and ISAAA Prepare for COPMOP8 in Cancun, Mexico

Delegates from Public Research and Regulation Initiative (PRRI) and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) held a half day forum on December 3 at the Cancun Convention Center, to prepare for COP13 Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Piet van der Meer of PRRI provided an introduction on the Biodiversity Convention and Biosafety Protocol and the Conference and Meetings of the Parties (COPMOPs), as well as the Topics of COP13, COPMOP8 and COPMOP2.

The forum was participated by 45 delegates composed of scientists, communicators, regulators and students from 16 countries. For the first time, the forum included students from universities in the U.S., Belgium, and Mexico to name a few, to provide an understanding about the COP, its importance, and on how to conduct effective engagement during the MOP.

The Conference of the Parties on its 13^th meeting (COP13) is the highest governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that runs from December 3 to 17. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto gave a message in a plenary declaring his commitment to providing a propitious space and facilitate the development of the work of the countries party to support the fulfillment of the objectives of the CBD, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi goals.

For details about the event, contact knowledge.center@isaaa.org.

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Genetic Editing of Grapevine and Apple Protoplasts using CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins

The availability of genome sequences and genome editing tools is set to revolutionize the field of fruit biotechnology through the introduction of targeted genetic changes. While plasmid-mediated delivery of genome editing components is very efficient, it presents some drawbacks. Furthermore, it may be cut-off by current process-based GMO regulations, complicating its path to commercialization.

Mickael Malnoy of the Foundation Edmund Mach in Italy, together with colleagues from various institutions explored the direct delivery of purified CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) to the protoplast of grape cultivar Chardonnay, and apple cultivar, such as Golden delicious, for efficient targeted mutagenesis.

The team targeted MLO-7, a susceptible gene, in order to increase resistance to powdery mildew (PM) in grapes. On the other hand, the team targeted DIPM-1, DIPM-2 and DIPM-4 in apple, in hopes of increasing resistance to fire blight disease. The targeted mutagenesis insertion and deletion (indel) rate was analyzed using targeted deep sequencing.

Their results show that direct delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 RNPs to the protoplast system enables targeted gene editing in grapevine and apple plants. This study is the first report of successful use of CRISPR/Cas9 RNPs-mediated protoplast transformation in grapevine and apple cultivars.

For more information on the study, read the article in Frontiers in Plant Science.

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GM APPROVAL UPDATES

• The Philippines approved the canola event LBFLFK for food, feed, and processing.
• The Philippines approved the cotton event GFM cry1A for commercial cultivation.
• Brazil approved the wheat event HB4 for commercial cultivation.
• The Philippines approved the soybean event GMB 151 for food, feed, and processing.
• The Philippines approved the eggplant event EE-1 for cultivation
• The USA approved the canola event MON94100  for food and feed.