The application of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing machinery in food and agricultural science: Current status, future perspectives, and associated challenges

Ismail Eş; Mohsen Gavahian; Francisco J Marti-Quijal; Jose M Lorenzo; Amin Mousavi Khaneghah; Christos Tsatsanis; Sotirios C Kampranis; Francisco J Barba

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.006

The application of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing machinery in food and agricultural science: Current status, future perspectives, and associated challenges

Biotechnol Adv. 2019 May-Jun;37(3):410-421. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.006. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Authors

Ismail Eş¹, Mohsen Gavahian², Francisco J Marti-Quijal³, Jose M Lorenzo⁴, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah⁵, Christos Tsatsanis⁶, Sotirios C Kampranis⁷, Francisco J Barba⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Material and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
² Product and Process Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, No. 331 Shih-Pin Rd., Hsinchu 30062, Taiwan, ROC.
³ Nutrition and Food Science Area, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, Avda.Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100, Burjassot, València, Spain.
⁴ Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia, rúa Galicia n° 4, Parque Tecnológico de Galicia, San Cibrao das Viñas, Ourense, Spain.
⁵ Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Monteiro Lobato, 80. Caixa Postal: 6121, 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: amin.mousavi@asoiu.edu.az.
⁶ Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece.
⁷ Biochemical Engineering group, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
⁸ Nutrition and Food Science Area, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, Avda.Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100, Burjassot, València, Spain. Electronic address: francisco.barba@uv.es.

PMID: 30779952
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.02.006

Abstract

The recent progress in genetic engineering has brought multiple benefits to the food and agricultural industry by enhancing the essential characteristics of agronomic traits. Powerful tools in the field of genome editing, such as siRNA-mediated RNA interference for targeted suppression of gene expression and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) for DNA repair have been widely used for commercial purposes. However, in the last few years, the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized genome editing and has attracted attention as a powerful tool for several industrial applications. Herein, we review current progresses in the utilization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in the food and agricultural industry, particularly in the development of resistant crops with improved quality and productivity. We compare the CRISPR system with the TALEN and ZFN nucleases-based methods and highlight potential advantages and shortcomings. In addition, we explore the state of the global market and discuss the safety and ethical concerns associated with the application of this technology in the food and agricultural industry.

Keywords: Agriculture; Bioactive compounds; CRISPR-Cas9; Food applications; Plant genome editing; Single guide RNA.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
Crops, Agricultural / genetics
Food Industry / trends
Gene Editing / methods*
Gene Targeting / methods
Genetic Engineering / methods*
Humans
Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics*
Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases / genetics
Zinc Finger Nucleases / genetics

Substances

Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases
Zinc Finger Nucleases