PhD students learned about transformation and genome editing in crops

Ten doctoral students from various houses of higher education met in Valdivia to participate in the course “Transformation and Genome Editing in Crops”organized by the Plant Nutrition and Genetics Laboratory (NGP Lab), within the framework of Fondecyt Project No. 11900812, with support from the Graduate School of the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, both UACh.

The training instance was in charge of doctors Sadie Hayta Y mark smedleyboth belonging to John Innes Center from England, who over three days provided the participants with an overview of the most recent techniques in crop transformation and genome editing.

Dr. Hayta indicated that the students have been very interested in learning about the different applications related to genome editing and how they can bring this learning to the crops that are of specific interest to them. “For us the experience here has been very positive, without a doubt those who attend this course are the future of plant science”, she highlighted.

Consulted regarding the scientific-technological development in the area of ​​genetic management, a field in constant discussion, the specialist added that currently in the United Kingdom, and after Brexit, the parliament addressed the issue and has become more flexible, as long as it has been understood that there is a separation between work with plants and animals.

“If we can distinguish the difference between the nature of the various methods used in this field of genetics, and work on it, the potential to contribute to society and people with this technology is expanded,” said Sadiye Hayta.

Along these lines, Dr. Mark Smedley pointed out that a distinction must also be made between genetic editing and genetic modification. Gene editing is a set of techniques used to alter the DNA of organisms, while genetic modification incorporates the DNA of other species.

“Among the benefits of this technology is boosting agricultural yields and the development of disease-resistant plants, therefore, it has many environmental and economic advantages. It also helps to face the challenges associated with changes in the climate, since we do not know what it will be like in 5, 10 or 15 years and we must be prepared for the various scenarios”, Smedley said.

Attendees.

Doctors Sadiye Hayta and Mark Smedley.

Topics addressed

The program of activities began with a general review of topics related to gene editing and an introduction to the “Golden Gate” cloning technique. Likewise, for day two of the course, a macro description of the genetic transformation of plants and the transformation into wheat as a model species of crops of agronomic interest was delivered, concluding with a review of the “screening” techniques of genetically edited plants.

The Dr Javier CanalesDirector of PhD in Sciences, mention in Cellular and Molecular Biologyand member of the NGP Labexplained that genetic editing is a subject that increasingly attracts more interest from students.

“This course has been characterized by having a practical section on prior bioinformatics design for gene editing, which has been essential for the integration of knowledge in an applied way,” he said.

Visit to the Experimental Station Universidad Austral de Chile

In the Austral Agricultural Experiment Station (EEAA) of the UACh, located in Cabo Blanco in Valdivia, Dr. Anita Behn, academic at the Institute of Plant Production and Health (IPSV) of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and curator of the Potato Germplasm Bank of this university , received the course participants, among whom were researchers from the John Innes Center and graduate students.

During the visit, Dr. Behn explained the objective and work carried out in the bank, as well as different aspects of research carried out on issues of improvement of native colored potato varieties, among them the FIC “Plus: Nutritious and Healthy Colored Potatoes” and the FIA ​​”Evaluation of improved lines of native potatoes (national phytogenetic heritage) adapted to new conditions of water and heat stress with a greater commercial value of the product”. On the occasion, they also learned about the EEAA’s Patio de Lúpulos, whose purpose is to maintain regional germplasm and carry out research on the crop.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Fondecyt project No. 11900812Analysis of the sulfate response during wheat development to find new pathways of improvement of grain yield and quality” is directed by Dr. Javier Canales, belonging to the Science Facultywhile the alternate management is in charge of Dr. Daniel Calderini, from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciencesboth from the Austral University of Chile.