Geneticists Enlist Engineered Virus and CRISPR to Battle Citrus Disease – Scientific American
Posted: May 16, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Fruit farmers in the United States have long feared the arrival of harmful citrus tristeza virus to their fields. But now, this devastating pathogen could be their best hope as they battle a much worse disease that is laying waste to citrus crops across the south of the country.
The agricultural company Southern Gardens Citrus in Clewiston, Florida, applied to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in February for permission to use an engineered version of the citrus tristeza virus (CTV) to attack the bacterium behind citrus greening. This disease has slashed US orange production in half over the past decade, and threatens to destroy the US$3.3-billion industry entirely.
The required public comment period on the application ended last week, and the USDA will now assess the possible environmental effects of the engineered virus.
Field trials of engineered CTV are already under way. If the request is approved, it would be the first time this approach has been used commercially. It could also provide an opportunity to sidestep the regulations and public stigma attached to genetically engineered crops.
Theres a real race on right now to try to save the citrus, says Carolyn Slupsky, a food scientist at the University of California, Davis. This disease is everywhere, and its horrible.
The engineered virus is just one option being explored to tackle citrus greening. Other projects aim to edit the genome of citrus trees using CRISPRCas9 to make them more resistant to the pest, or engineer trees to express defence genes or short RNA molecules that prevent disease transmission. Local growers have also helped to fund an international project that has sequenced citrus trees to hunt for more weapons against citrus greening.
There are great scientific opportunities here, says Bryce Falk, a plant pathologist at the University of California, Davis. We need to take advantage of new technologies.
Citrus greening is caused by species from the candidate bacterial genus Candidatus Liberibacter. Spread by sap-sucking, flying insects called Asian citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri), the bacteria cause citrus trees to make bitter, misshapen fruits that have green lower halves. The disease is also widely known by its Chinese name, huanglongbing.
The first tree in the United States with symptoms was reported in Miami in 2005. We had the uh-oh moment, says Fred Gmitter, who breeds new citrus varieties at the University of Florida in Lake Alfred.
Some researchers have had accidental success against the disease. Gmitters team released a mandarin variety called Sugarbell just as the outbreak was getting under way. Although those trees have since become infected with C.Liberibacter, farmers are able to reap a reasonable crop of sweet oranges if the plants receive proper pruning and nutrition. But it is difficult to build on that success: why the trees are relatively tolerant of the disease remains a mystery.
For years, Southern Gardens Citrus has been genetically engineering plants to express genes taken from spinach that defend against the disease. The company says that the results of field trials suggest some degree of protection. But this approach will take many years to meet regulatory requirements for marketing a genetically modified crop. And consumers may not take kindly to a fruit or juice that comes from a genetically modified tree.
So Southern Gardens Citrus added a different approach, and began the USDA approval process for engineered CTV in February. Instead of modifying the trees, the company wants to alter the genome of a harmless strain of CTV so that it produces the spinach defence gene. The company intends to graft tree limbs infected with the virus onto trees. In April, the USDA announced it would start work on an environmental impact statement, a process that typically takes about two years and will be needed before the department allows the modified virus to be used commercially.
Because the virus does not alter the fruit, this approach may allow farmers to argue that the oranges are not genetically modified, and so avoid regulation and reduce public doubt.
That is also the goal of separate projects looking for genes that confer disease resistance when switched off. If researchers can find such genes, they could use CRISPR to inactivate them. Nian Wang, a plant pathologist also at the University of Florida, is using this approach to edit orange trees, and hopes to know by 2019 whether they are disease-resistant. Others are using RNA interference in psyllids to switch off genes that allow the insects to transmit the bacteria.
For now, one question dominates: whether the citrus industry will still be alive by the time these solutions make it to the groves. Its an incredibly devastating disease, says Gmitter. Growers needed answers ten years ago.
This article is reproduced with permission and wasfirst publishedon May 16, 2017.
Read the original:
Geneticists Enlist Engineered Virus and CRISPR to Battle Citrus Disease - Scientific American
- 'CRISPR pill' instructs harmful bacteria to self-destruct - National Hog Farmer [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- Highly sensitive CRISPR diagnostic tool created - BioNews [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- More Tooth, More Tail in CRISPR Operations | GEN - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (press release) [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- Quick, Sensitive Diagnostic Tests with CRISPR - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- MPEG LA Invites CRISPR-Cas9 Patents to be Pooled in a One-Stop License - Yahoo Finance [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- What Is CRISPR? - livescience.com [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- CRISPR and Stem Cells Identify Novel Chlamydia Drug Targets - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- CRISPR webinar: HGF discusses IP landscape - Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review (subscription) [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- CRISPR.com was for sale, and you won't guess who bought it - STAT [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- CRISPR Pill May Be Key in Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance - Singularity Hub [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- Intellia (NTLA), CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) Receive U.S. Patent for CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Complexes - StreetInsider.com [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- transOMIC technologies Launches transEDIT-dual CRISPR ... - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- Global CRISPR Market Forecast 2017-2025 - Research and Markets ... - Business Wire (press release) [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- Quick, Sensitive Diagnostic Tests with CRISPR | Technology Networks - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- CRISPR/Cas9 and Targeted Genome Editing: A New Era in ... [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- CRISPR - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2017]
- CRISPR Used To Modify Multiple Genes In Rice - Asian Scientist Magazine [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2017]
- Current CRISPR Patent Dispute, Explained - CALIFORNIA [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2017]
- CEOs of top gene-editing firms got huge compensation hikes last year - Boston Business Journal [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2017]
- CRISPR-SMART Cells Regenerate Cartilage, Secrete Anti-Arthritis Drug - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2017]
- Another CRISPR Trial Begins - GenomeWeb [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2017]
- China Is Racing Ahead of the US in the Quest to Cure Cancer With CRISPR - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2017]
- CRISPR Gene Editing - CRISPR/Cas9 - Horizon Discovery [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2017]
- CRISPR | Broad Institute [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2017]
- Questions and Answers about CRISPR | Broad Institute [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2017]
- CRISPR Genome Engineering Resources | learn, share, and discuss [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2017]
- CRISPR Technology Scientists on Their Gene Editing Tool - TIME [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2017]
- Cas9 - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2017]
- Using CRISPR against cancer shows success in mice - Futurity - Futurity: Research News [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2017]
- Using CRISPR to Find Treatments for Aggressive Pediatric Brain Cancer - Bioscience Technology [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2017]
- CRISPR Eliminates HIV in Live Animals - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2017]
- The CRISPR patent dispute - Europe and the US - BioNews [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2017]
- How Scientists Think CRISPR Will Change Medicine - TIME [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- What you need to know about the legal battle over CRISPR patents - Genetic Literacy Project [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2017]
- Scientists have eliminated HIV in mice using CRISPR - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2017]
- CRISPR Therapeutics Appoints Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D. as President, Expanding Role Beyond Chief Business Officer ... - GlobeNewswire (press release) [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2017]
- ECDC says risk from contaminated CRISPR kits low - CIDRAP [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2017]
- CRISPR Could Transform the Way We Diagnose Disease - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2017]
- A cancer gene also grows stem cells, CRISPR in monkey embryo ... - Speaking of Research [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2017]
- New CRISPR Technique Can Potentially Stop Cancer In Its Tracks - Wall Street Pit [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2017]
- CRISPR gene-editing tool targets cancer's "command center" - Gizmag - New Atlas [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2017]
- Update: CRISPR - Radiolab [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2017]
- Cambridge gene editing firm CRISPR to use delivery tech honed ... - Boston Business Journal [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2017]
- Oxford Genetics licenses CRISPR tech to power synbio push - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2017]
- What You Need to Know About the New CRISPR Cancer Treatment - BOSS Magazine [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- CRISPR: The Future of Medicine and Human Evolution - in-Training [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2017]
- Intellia Therapeutics Announces Progress with CRISPR/Cas9 at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy Annual ... - GlobeNewswire (press... [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2017]
- Pac-Man like CRISPR enzymes discovered - Lab News [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2017]
- Coming age of CRISPR gene editing: What in heck is the 'Pink Chicken Project'? - Genetic Literacy Project [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2017]
- Intellia moves closer to clinic with CRISPR tech - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2017]
- Will CRISPR Technology Create a New "Human" Species? - Big Think [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2017]
- Caribou Bioscience's CEO on CRISPR's legal and ethical challenges - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2017]
- Cut Out the Hype: Gene Editing With CRISPR and the Truth about Superhuman 'Designer Babies' - WhatIsEpigenetics.com (blog) [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2017]
- CRISPR-Cas.org [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2017]
- Synthego's genetic toolkit aims to make CRISPR more accessible - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2017]
- What is CRISPR? A Beginner's Guide | Digital Trends [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2017]
- Editas delays IND for Allergan-partnered CRISPR program - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2017]
- Easy DNA Editing Will Remake the World. Buckle Up - WIRED [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2017]
- Can CRISPR feed the world? - Phys.org - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- Gene-editing tool 'CRISPR' gaining massive attention - KMOV.com [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- Fixing the tomato: CRISPR edits correct plant-breeding snafu - Nature.com [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- Beyond just promise, CRISPR is delivering in the lab today - The Conversation US [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- What is CRISPR-Cas9, and will it change the world? | Alphr - Alphr [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- Fixing the Tomato: CRISPR Edits Correct Plant-Breeding Snafu ... - Scientific American [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- This UK Biotech uses CRISPR-Cas9 To Fight Bacterial Resistance - Labiotech.eu (blog) [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2017]
- Can CRISPR feed the world? | Horizon: the EU Research ... - Horizon magazine [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2017]
- Will this gene-editing tool cure the diseases of the future? - Sacramento Bee [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2017]
- How the CRISPR-Cas9 System is Redefining Drug Discovery - Labiotech.eu (blog) [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2017]
- Scientists are using gene editing to create the perfect tomato for your salad - Quartz [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2017]
- Fine-tuning CRISPR to Create Popular Mouse Models - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Scientists Are Using CRISPR To "Program" Living Cells - Futurism - Futurism [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- CRISPR gene editing puts the brakes on cancer cells - Cosmos [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Watch This Scientist Brilliantly Explain CRISPR to Everyone from a Child to a Ph.D. - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2017]
- Using CRISPR gene editing to slow cancer growth | FierceBiotech - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2017]
- How A Gene Editing Tool Went From Labs To A Middle-School Classroom - NPR [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2017]
- In Just a Few Short Years, CRISPR Has Sparked a Research Revolution - Futurism [Last Updated On: May 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 29th, 2017]
- CRISPR Is Taking Over Science, Breaks Out Of Labs And Invades Schools - EconoTimes [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2017]
- Gene-editing technique scientists hope will cure cancer and all ... - The Independent [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2017]
- CRISPR Gene-Editing Can Cause Hundreds of Unexpected ... - ScienceAlert [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2017]
- CRISPR's Next Target: Wheat Kernels - Laboratory Equipment - Laboratory Equipment [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2017]