Biotech Updates

A team from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) spearheaded the genome sequencing of an ancient Australian plant years before the COVID-19 pandemic broke. Now, the sequence is being used globally to develop a vaccine to fight against the deadly virus.

Study Identifies New Mechanism for Temperature Sensing in Plants

A group of cell biologists at the University of California, Riverside led by Dr. Meng Chen has identified that the protein called phytochrome B which can sense light and temperature, also triggers plant growth and controls flowering time. In a paper published in Nature Communications, the research group reveals that phytochrome B molecule has unexpected dynamics activated by temperature, and behaves differently depending on the temperature and type of light.

Gene Editing of Three BnITPK Genes in Oilseed Rape Reduces Phytic Acid in Seeds

University of Kiel researchers and partners used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit three genes in oilseed rape to reduce phytic acid in seeds. The results are published in Plant Biotechnology journal.

Continuous Adoption of GE Crops Confirms Coexistence is Attainable

The world accommodates nearly 7.8 billion people in 2020. By 2050, world population is expected to reach 9.8 billion. With the exponentially growing population, decreasing resources, and intensifying climate change, it is compelling to adopt various production systems to attain food security. Thus, coexistence of different production systems has become a viable option for some countries.