Unlocking the power of gene editing in agriculture and microalgae
Gene-editing techniques such as the Nobel prize-winning CRISPR/Cas9 technology, allow fast and accurate genome modifications by introducing targeted changes directly within a species’ DNA. There is growing interest within agriculture and aquaculture for such tools to accelerate species improvement and transform practices in line with targets for the environment, economy and sustainable agriculture. Gene editing can improve traits such as disease resistance and nutrient content levels, and it holds significant promise for reducing pesticide use, energy consumption and industrial waste.
A user-friendly gene-editing toolbox
The EU-funded GeneBEcon(opens in new window) project explores the vast potential of these genome-editing technologies to generate energy-saving solutions for agriculture and industrial processing. Partners in the consortium have contributed user-friendly protocols, a decision tree-based workflow called GeneBEwise and a centralised plasmid database(opens in new window). Designed with researchers and breeders in mind, the toolbox lowers technical barriers and accelerates experimentation by providing clear, adaptable workflows: “These resources are designed to give researchers a solid foundation and enable them to easily adapt and optimise for specific crop targets,” explains project coordinator Dennis Eriksson from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences(opens in new window).
From potatoes to microalgae
Using this toolbox, GeneBEcon has already achieved significant outcomes in potatoes and microalgae. The idea for potatoes was to develop a virus-resistant crop with higher quality starch, with the goal of phasing out chemical food processing. Cultivars resistant to Potato virus Y(opens in new window) have the potential to reduce insecticide usage in the EU by approximately 850 000 kg per year. Optimising the starch composition, meanwhile, has the potential to reduce chemical use by 75 000 tonnes and save 7.5 GWh of energy annually during industrial processing. In parallel, GeneBEcon pioneered gene-editing protocols for the microalgae Nannochloropsis and Chlorella(opens in new window), with the latter being a species that had seen limited genomic innovation prior to the project. Researchers demonstrated that it is possible to enhance the production of carotenoids, valuable antioxidant compounds used in the health and nutrition sectors. Furthermore, the residual algal biomass was found suitable as a protein-rich feed for poultry, reinforcing a zero-waste, circular approach to biotechnology.
Aligning innovation and governance
GeneBEcon has also devoted significant effort to the regulatory landscape and public acceptance of new genomic techniques. The project developed and evaluated six regulatory scenarios, each analysed in terms of biosafety data requirements, compliance costs and the potential investment impact. Findings suggest that the European Union’s proposed regulation(opens in new window) – particularly for category 1 of the so-called ‘New genomic techniques’ (NGT) plants – offers incentives for innovation and market opportunities. “At the same time, if Europe is to fully realise the promise of gene editing across its bioeconomy, there must be fit-for-purpose legislation for other organisms including microalgae,” points out Eriksson. To complement this, the project co-created with stakeholders the NGT Transition Action Plans aimed at six stakeholder group associations: breeders, farmers, national policymakers, food industry, consumers and NGOs. These public resources offer concrete advice on how to create a communication strategy about new genomic techniques, counteracting misinformation and misunderstanding. By combining scientific excellence with practical tools and policy insight, GeneBEcon is ready to take the next step in exploiting its results. The virus-resistant potato lines can be integrated into breeding programmes while the microalgae work offers a solid foundation for scaling up and exploring further applications in high-value compounds production and dual-purpose value chains.
