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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May 6, 2026
In This Week’s Issue:
News
New Breeding Technologies
• Study Shows Gene Arrangement Controls DNA Folding and Expression
• Agri-Food Coalition Urges Swift EU Adoption of New Genomic Technique Regulations
• New CRISPR Tool Identifies Multiple Viruses in a Single Test
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NEWS
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New Breeding Technologies
STUDY SHOWS GENE ARRANGEMENT CONTROLS DNA FOLDING AND EXPRESSION
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered that altering the arrangement of genes, or “gene syntax,” could create circuits that synergize to maximize output. The study found that when a gene is activated, it changes the physical structure of nearby DNA, creating ripple effects that can either boost or suppress neighboring genes.
The team found that DNA becomes looser upstream of an active gene and more tightly wound downstream, affecting how easily other genes can be accessed. By testing different types of syntax (tandem, divergent, and convergent), the researchers observed how these biophysical changes impact gene activity.
The researchers engineered gene circuits containing two genes arranged in tandem, divergent, or convergent configurations and induced stem cells which can differentiate into many other types of cells (pluripotent). The results confirmed their predictions, showing that divergent arrangements boosted expression of both genes, while tandem setups suppressed downstream genes, with effects reaching up to a 25-fold increase or decrease in gene expression and spanning distances of up to 2,000 base pairs between genes.
Using a high-resolution genome mapping technique called Region Capture Micro-C, the researchers found that DNA downstream of an active gene becomes tightly twisted into structures known as plectonemes, making it harder for RNA polymerase to bind and activate nearby genes. To better examine this effect, they used a newly developed system called STRAIGHT-IN Dual, which enables efficient insertion of two genes into the same DNA strand. The findings could help scientists design more precise and efficient synthetic gene circuits for applications in gene therapy and biotechnology.
For more information, read the article from MIT News.
A coalition of 31 European agri-food value chain organizations has issued a joint statement calling for the swift adoption of the New Genomic Techniques (NGT) regulation without further amendments. The group, representing plant breeders, farmers, food processors, and traders, emphasizes that a science-based and predictable regulatory framework is critical for the future of the European agri-food sector. They argue that NGTs are essential tools for developing crops that are more resilient to climate change, pests, and diseases, thereby ensuring long-term food security and sustainability across the continent.
The representatives specifically warn against amendments that would introduce mandatory labeling and traceability requirements for "Category 1" NGTs, crops considered equivalent to those produced through conventional breeding. The coalition asserts that such measures would create unnecessary administrative burdens, increase costs for operators, and erode the scientific integrity of the original proposal. By treating these precision-bred plants like traditional Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), the group believes the EU would hinder the very innovation it aims to promote, ultimately undermining the competitiveness of European agriculture.
As the legislative process continues within the European Parliament and Council, the coalition stresses the urgent need for legal certainty to foster investment and research. They highlight that many countries outside the EU have already implemented enabling regulations for NGTs, leaving European breeders and farmers at a disadvantage compared to global competitors. The statement concludes by urging policymakers to finalize a workable, future-proof framework that allows the entire value chain to harness the benefits of genomic innovation while maintaining high standards of safety and transparency.
For more details, read the Open Letter in Euroseeds News.
A research team led by Professor Sung-min Son of Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the Gladstone Institutes, has developed a new CRISPR-based diagnostic tool that can detect and distinguish multiple viruses in a single test by analyzing how quickly gene editing proteins react. The study introduces a method that uses reaction speed as a unique signal to identify different viruses, including COVID-19 and influenza.
When the CRISPR protein Cas13 detects a virus's RNA, it cleaves surrounding RNA and produces a light signal to indicate the virus's presence. However, identifying multiple viruses at once has typically required several types of gene scissors or various fluorescent reporters, making the process complex and less practical for field use. To address this, the researchers focused on how the speed of Cas13's activity changes depending on the virus it encounters.
The team developed a “kinetic barcoding” system that identifies viruses based on their unique reaction speeds. By adjusting the guide RNA, the method can be tailored to detect multiple viruses using a single tool, while also eliminating the need to convert RNA into DNA. Tests on patient samples successfully distinguished various respiratory viruses and COVID-19 variants in one reaction. “This is the first case of utilizing new information—the reaction speed of gene scissors—for diagnostic,” said Professor Sung-min Son.
For more information, read the article from DongA Science.