Plant biologist Tina Le looking at plant cells with a microscope.
plant, perennial grasses’ complex cellular struc- ture presents a nuanced challenge. To fully unlock their potential for sustainable bioproducts, precise genetic modifications may be required in specific cell types rather than a blanket approach. A seminal study by the Swaminathan lab, in collaboration with CABBI, is helping illuminate the path forward. The collaborative team generated the first comprehensive gene expression atlas of major types of cells from the stems of the sorghum plant 2 . Having genetic information at the cell-type-spe- cific level is important for having precise control over the development and composition of different plant tissues. For example, by specifically targeting genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis and growth in cell types that contribute most to biomass, re- searchers can increase the overall biomass yield of the plant. This proof-of-concept study lays the foundation for similar exploration in perennial grasses like miscanthus and switchgrass. By understanding and manipulating cell-type-specific gene expression,
Traditional breeding methods, such as directed breeding, rely on crossing plants with desirable traits to produce offspring with those traits. While effective, this process can be time-consuming and often results in the introduction of unintended genetic changes. Gene editing, on the other hand, offers a more precise and efficient approach. In a groundbreaking study , scientists in the Swaminathan lab, along with collaborators at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) , successfully used CRISPR gene editing to modify genes in several varieties of miscanthus, a feat that had never been successful- ly done before 1 . As proof of concept, they edited a gene called lemon white which is involved in chlo- rophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis, which affects leaf color. Editing out the gene causes a visible change in the color of leaves, confirming a success- ful transformation. This achievement paves the way for creating miscanthus varieties with improved traits for biofuel and bioproduct production. While the miscanthus study demonstrated the feasibility of genome editing across the entire
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RESEARCH REPORT 2023-2024
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