CRISPR is now steering fresh new advancements in agriculture, particularly in combating Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, a disease that continues to devastate the global citrus industry.
After years of comprehensive study, [Dr. Nian] Wang’s team has identified about 40 potential genetic targets thought to influence citrus immune responses and oxidative stress when under attack by the HLB-causing bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas).
CRISPR technology is opening doors to a brighter future for the citrus industry. Moving forward, Wang says new research will focus on efficiently integrating disease-resistance genes into citrus plants without adding non-citrus sequences.
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Although the road ahead is long, CRISPR offers immense promise in helping the citrus industry recover from one of its greatest challenges to date. With continued research and collaboration, genetically edited citrus could soon become a standard tool in the fight against HLB, helping to rejuvenate the battered global citrus markets.
