Crop Biotech Update

May 20, 2020

Medicago Announces Positive Results of Trials for its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

Biopharmaceutical company Medicago announced on May 14, 2020, that its vaccine candidate for COVID-19 induced a positive antibody response only 10 days after a single dose in mice. In early March, the company produced a Virus-Like Particle (VLP) of the coronavirus just 20 days after obtaining the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence and quickly initiated pre-clinical testing. Medicago uses proprietary plant-based technology to develop protein-based therapeutics. Instead of traditional vaccine development, the company uses VLPs that mimic the shape and dimensions of a virus.

Kenyan Researchers Seek Approval to Introduce Disease-Resistant Cassava

Cassava researchers in Kenya have asked the Government to approve a disease-resistant genetically modified (GM) cassava which can protect the farmers cultivating the crop from devastating losses.

CRISPR-Cas12b/C2c1 Tested in Targeted Mutagenesis of a Dicot

Cas12b/C2c1 has been identified as class 2 endonuclease that can be used for targeted genome editing in rice and mammals. To elucidate its potential applications in dicots, CRISPR-Cas12b system was tested in Arabidopsis thaliana.

ISAAA Monitors Progress of Research on COVID-19

ISAAA is monitoring the progress of research on COVID-19 treatments using plant-based technologies such as genetic engineering and genome editing, as well as other related techniques. We also keep track of the pandemic's effect on food security and agriculture. This is our effort to provide science-based information that can help the public make decisions and actions to mitigate and recover from the impact of COVID-19. We have summarized all publications and articles related to COVID-19 in the COVID-19 Resource page of the ISAAA website.

COVID-19 ALERTS

Medicago Announces Positive Results of Trials for its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Plant Viruses Found to Potentially Treat Diabetes, Arthritis

PLANT BREEDING INNOVATIONS

CRISPR-Cas12b/C2c1 Tested in Targeted Mutagenesis of a Dicot

GM APPROVAL UPDATES

Russia approved corn TC1507 for food, feed, and processing.
Russia approved corn MZHG0JG for food, feed, and processing.
Russia approved corn DAS40278 for food, feed, and processing.
South Korea approved canola MS11 for food use.
The Philippines approved corn Bt11 x MIR162 x MON89034 x GA21 for food, feed, and processing.
The Philippines approved potato Y9 for food, feed, and processing.

Visit GM APPROVAL DATABASE

The Crop Biotech Update is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a non-for-profit organization. The CBU is distributed for free to over 23,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in agricultural biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.

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