Source: PIB
Context: Scientists at Bose Institute, Kolkata, have developed a modified CRISPR tool to help plants combat heat stress and bacterial infections, offering a breakthrough in sustainable and smart agriculture.
About Modified CRISPR Tool to help plants combat heat stress:
- What It Is?
- A modified CRISPR tool using dCas9 (dead Cas9) that acts as a gene switch, turning defense genes on or off without cutting DNA.
- The tool is designed to activate only under plant stress—such as heat waves or pathogen attack.
- Developed By: Bose Institute, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
- How It Works?
- Scientists used a part of a natural tomato protein (called NACMTF3) to hold back the CRISPR switch (dCas9) outside the plant’s control center (nucleus).
- When the plant faces stress like heat or disease, the hold is released, and the CRISPR switch moves inside the nucleus.
- Inside, it turns on helpful genes that help the plant fight heat and infections.
- This system saves energy, as it only works when the plant is in danger.
- Key Features:
- Works only when needed: Genes are turned on only during heat or disease stress.
- Safe and natural: Uses a tomato protein, making it safe and eco-friendly.
- Activates helpful genes: Turns on CBP60g and SARD1 (to fight bacteria) and NAC2 and HSFA6b (to handle heat).
- Protects in two ways: Helps plants survive both heat and disease.
- No cutting of DNA: Unlike normal CRISPR, this version doesn’t change the DNA, so it’s safer for future use in farming.
- Significance:
- Climate-resilient agriculture: Enhances plant survival during unpredictable weather, heatwaves, and microbial outbreaks.
- Smart input management: Plants utilize the tool only when needed, saving energy and improving productivity.
- Food security: Supports yield sustainability in key crops like tomato, potato, brinjal, and chilli.
- Global applicability: Has potential use across solanaceous crops worldwide, helping farmers adapt to climate stress.
- Research impact: Published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, validating global scientific relevance.
