Cut and Paste: Prospects for new genome editing approaches in plants with CRISPR-Cas12a

Summary

This thesis explores genome editing in plants using the CRISPR-Cas12a system, which is different from the more commonly used CRISPR-Cas9. The goal of the research is to use genome editing to develop disease-resistant plant varieties to reduce pesticide use in the future. To achieve this more quickly, we utilize the unique characteristics of Cas12a to help cut out non-functioning parts of resistance genes and paste in functioning parts, thereby activating dormant resistance. This is possible because Cas12a cuts DNA, leaving sticky ends that can be used for the direct pasting of new DNA. We cover the development of the system up to some proof-of-concept experiments demonstrating real resistance gene repair in potatoes.