Periodic Reporting for period 3 - CHIC (Chicory as a multipurpose crop for dietary fibre and medicinal terpenes)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-01-01 bis 2022-12-31
CHIC, the Chicory Innovation Consortium was a highly multidisciplinary project aiming to develop genome editing (CRISPR) to breed root chicory into a crop from which multiple products with human health benefit can be extracted. At the same time interaction with diverse stakeholders was sought to gather their views on the developed innovation pathways.
Root chicory is grown on a relatively small area mainly in the south of The Netherlands, Belgium and northern France. From its roots, the dietary fiber inulin is extracted which is used as ingredient in products like yogurts and bars to stimulate gut health and serving as non-caloric sweetener. Chicory roots also accumulate terpenes but these are discarded as waste from inulin extraction because they are bitter-tasting. As terpenes from other plants have highly interesting health properties, the potential of genome editing to develop root chicory into a multipurpose crop from which improved inulin and healthy terpenes can be extracted was investigated. Developing new chicory varieties via conventional plant breeding can easily take between one or two decades. Moreover, chicory is self-incompatible making crossings in breeding programs complex. Therefore, genome editing can make a difference.
In public debates, genome editing frequently raises high expectations as well as strong concerns. Therefore, CHIC aimed to involve a broad range of stakeholders to raise awareness and discuss issues associated both with the chicory varieties developed in the project and with genome editing in general. CHIC evaluated several genome editing methods with respect to efficiency and safety and investigated possible scenarios of commercial use for these genome edited chicory lines with respect to environmental, regulatory, socio-economic and broader societal impact. CHIC strived to communicate openly by implementing innovative communication methods. For example, artists have made themselves familiar with genome editing techniques and expressed their feelings and views in artworks to inspire a broader public debate.
Root chicory is grown on a relatively small area mainly in the south of The Netherlands, Belgium and northern France. From its roots, the dietary fiber inulin is extracted which is used as ingredient in products like yogurts and bars to stimulate gut health and serving as non-caloric sweetener. Chicory roots also accumulate terpenes but these are discarded as waste from inulin extraction because they are bitter-tasting. As terpenes from other plants have highly interesting health properties, the potential of genome editing to develop root chicory into a multipurpose crop from which improved inulin and healthy terpenes can be extracted was investigated. Developing new chicory varieties via conventional plant breeding can easily take between one or two decades. Moreover, chicory is self-incompatible making crossings in breeding programs complex. Therefore, genome editing can make a difference.
In public debates, genome editing frequently raises high expectations as well as strong concerns. Therefore, CHIC aimed to involve a broad range of stakeholders to raise awareness and discuss issues associated both with the chicory varieties developed in the project and with genome editing in general. CHIC evaluated several genome editing methods with respect to efficiency and safety and investigated possible scenarios of commercial use for these genome edited chicory lines with respect to environmental, regulatory, socio-economic and broader societal impact. CHIC strived to communicate openly by implementing innovative communication methods. For example, artists have made themselves familiar with genome editing techniques and expressed their feelings and views in artworks to inspire a broader public debate.
Chicory is a relatively little-studied crop and gene editing protocols had to be developed almost from scratch. Variants of CRISPR methods were developed that differ in the extent, and the way DNA is used to deliver the CRISPR system generating the genome edits. These methods were systematically evaluated for their efficiency and safety, studying potential off-target editing in each case. Off-target mutations caused by the CRISPR system were not detected in any of the methods used or any of the lines analyzed. When DNA was used to deliver the CRISPR system via stable transformation, in some plants different edits within the same plant were observed. Apparently, the stably integrated CRISPR complex continues to make edits at the remaining target sites while the plant is developing. When DNA with the CRISPR system was delivered transiently, in addition to the intended edits, in some plants also CRISPR DNA fragments were found unintentionally integrated in the genome. In both cases, these plants can be recognized and discarded. When the CRISPR-system was delivered as a protein complex instead of via DNA, only edits at the expected target sites occurred. This makes this method as highly interesting for commercial applications.
The methods were implemented to generate a multitude of chicory varieties: varieties with a higher quality of healthy inulin because inulin degradation in autumn is prevented, as well as varieties that are reduced in bitter terpenes which greatly facilitates the extraction of inulin. In addition, varieties were created that accumulate specific terpenes of potential interest for medicinal use. The latter was guided by bioassays that have identified terpenes from chicory roots with very interesting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Finally, the self-incompatibility of chicory was disrupted, simplifying crossing and allowing for more efficient breeding. Through these experiments scientific knowledge was generated on chicory biology and in particularly on its bioactive compounds, their biosynthesis and storage.
A Stakeholder Advisory Group with representatives of industry, academia, agriculture and end-users interacted with the CHIC consortium during the entire project period. In addition, consultations with a broader range of stakeholders covering the entire agriculture and food value chain, policy makers and regulators helped to clarify hindering and facilitating factors for genome-edited plants in general and for root chicory innovation in particular. Scenarios differing in aspects such as whether CRISPR edited chicory is regulated as GMO or not, and what type of products are isolated from them, were evaluated for their socio-economic and environmental impacts over the whole value chain. They show that inulin and/or terpene production based on the new chicory variants create more jobs, generate higher value added, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand compared to the current process.
A lot of emphasis was put on communication about the CHIC project and its aims. A website from which flyers, newsletters and explanatory movies can be accessed and social media channels, were set up. Artists visited laboratories and created art works allowing for another type of interaction with the general publics. An educational game (MyChicFarm) was developed and CHIC partners visited schools and organized panel discussions targeting in particular young citizens.
CHIC also monitored regulations related to genome editing worldwide. For the EU, the European Court of Justice ruled that all genome edited plants are regulated as GMOs. The regulatory field is at the moment changing fast with big differences appearing between continents and countries. The project clearly shows that the promising food related applications will only be further pursued by business actors in the EU if the regulatory status for certain gene edited plants is changed.
The methods were implemented to generate a multitude of chicory varieties: varieties with a higher quality of healthy inulin because inulin degradation in autumn is prevented, as well as varieties that are reduced in bitter terpenes which greatly facilitates the extraction of inulin. In addition, varieties were created that accumulate specific terpenes of potential interest for medicinal use. The latter was guided by bioassays that have identified terpenes from chicory roots with very interesting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Finally, the self-incompatibility of chicory was disrupted, simplifying crossing and allowing for more efficient breeding. Through these experiments scientific knowledge was generated on chicory biology and in particularly on its bioactive compounds, their biosynthesis and storage.
A Stakeholder Advisory Group with representatives of industry, academia, agriculture and end-users interacted with the CHIC consortium during the entire project period. In addition, consultations with a broader range of stakeholders covering the entire agriculture and food value chain, policy makers and regulators helped to clarify hindering and facilitating factors for genome-edited plants in general and for root chicory innovation in particular. Scenarios differing in aspects such as whether CRISPR edited chicory is regulated as GMO or not, and what type of products are isolated from them, were evaluated for their socio-economic and environmental impacts over the whole value chain. They show that inulin and/or terpene production based on the new chicory variants create more jobs, generate higher value added, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand compared to the current process.
A lot of emphasis was put on communication about the CHIC project and its aims. A website from which flyers, newsletters and explanatory movies can be accessed and social media channels, were set up. Artists visited laboratories and created art works allowing for another type of interaction with the general publics. An educational game (MyChicFarm) was developed and CHIC partners visited schools and organized panel discussions targeting in particular young citizens.
CHIC also monitored regulations related to genome editing worldwide. For the EU, the European Court of Justice ruled that all genome edited plants are regulated as GMOs. The regulatory field is at the moment changing fast with big differences appearing between continents and countries. The project clearly shows that the promising food related applications will only be further pursued by business actors in the EU if the regulatory status for certain gene edited plants is changed.
The CHIC project has clearly demonstrated what genome editing can contribute for a niche crop like root chicory. At the start of the project, relatively few genetic- and breeding tools were available and genome editing methods for root chicory did not exist. Five years later multiple improved varieties were developed with potential benefits for consumers (healthy inulin and terpenes), ingredient producers (more efficient processing and use of waste products), farmers (agricultural diversification and flexibility during harvesting), breeders (genome editing methods and self-compatible lines), the environment (reduction in primary energy demand, in GHG emissions and more efficient land use), and the economy (higher added value and more jobs).
CHIC primarily aimed at traits with health benefits for consumers. Using the knowledge base established by CHIC other traits could also be introduced into root chicory in relatively short time frames. In a broader perspective, CHIC demonstrated that genome editing can be a powerful tool to help to stimulate agricultural biodiversity in Europe by improving niche crops, which have relatively little investment leverage. In synergism with other breeding and farming methods, this is highly relevant for maintaining food security and improving sustainable production while at the same time dealing with the challenges of climate change.
CHIC primarily aimed at traits with health benefits for consumers. Using the knowledge base established by CHIC other traits could also be introduced into root chicory in relatively short time frames. In a broader perspective, CHIC demonstrated that genome editing can be a powerful tool to help to stimulate agricultural biodiversity in Europe by improving niche crops, which have relatively little investment leverage. In synergism with other breeding and farming methods, this is highly relevant for maintaining food security and improving sustainable production while at the same time dealing with the challenges of climate change.