Breakthrough in plant breeding

Grafting and mobile CRISPR for genome editing in plants. The blueprint of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene scissors is transported as RNA from the rootstock of a gene-modified plant to the grafted shoot of an unmodified plant. There, the gene scissor protein is built with the help of the RNA. The gene scissor protein edits specific genes in flowers. Plants in the next generation carry the desired gene modification. RTDS Association - A ground-breaking twist to the CRISPR tool - aka "genetic scissors" - is being put to use to edit plant genomes by scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, signalling a methodology change. The discovery genetically stable commercial crop varieties by combining grafting with a 'mobile' CRISPR tool.