CRISPR-Adventskalender

Citrus canker is a disease caused by bacteria that leads to considerable crop losses in all citrus-growing regions of the world. Currently, the primary strategy to combat citrus canker is based on an integrated approach consisting of the production of disease-free seedlings, the felling of infested trees and the use of antibiotics. However, these methods come with considerable disadvantages such as high costs, risks to human and animal health, and negative environmental impact. In the long term, breeding resistant varieties is an important alternative approach to combat citrus canker. Scientists at the University of Florida have succeeded in eliminating a gene in grapefruit using the CRISPR/Cas method. In subsequent studies, CRISPR plants showed improved resistance to citrus canker, unlike the control group. Scientists at Southwestern University in China switched off the same gene in oranges to develop canker-resistant oranges.