Genome Editing for Crop Improvement: Theory and Methodology

Genome editing offers a powerful tool to significantly accelerate crop-breeding programs in order to develop new and improved varieties. It allows precise modification of an organism's DNA sequence, often by creating targeted double-strand breaks at specific locations. The CRISPR-Cas system has emerged as the preferred method of gene editing and offers a powerful technology for crop improvement. The use of CRISPR in plant research has led to significant improvements in crop performance in terms of yield, nutrition, stress tolerance and resistance against agricultural pests and diseases. This book explores the cutting-edge field of genome editing, its applications and potential to revolutionize the genetic improvement of crops. It includes: Foundational concepts and historical context of genome editing (GE). Structure and mechanisms of various genome editing techniques. Application of GE for trait improvements in plants. Regulatory, biosafety, and ethical considerations. This is a valuable resource for researchers in crop genetic improvement, graduate and postgraduate students in molecular biology and biotechnology programs, and professionals in the field.

Prof. Jameel M. Al-Khayri is a Professor of plant biotechnology affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. He received B.S. in Biology in 1984 from the University of Toledo, M.S. in Agronomy in 1988, and Ph.D. in Plant Science in 1991 from the University of Arkansas. He is a member the International Society for Horticultural Science and Society for In Vitro Biology as well as the National Correspondent of the International Association of Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology. For the last three decades, he dedicated his research efforts to date palm biotechnology. He has authored over seventy research articles in referred international journals, thirty chapters, and edited several journal special issues. In addition, edited eighteen reference books on date palm biotechnology, genetic resources and advances in plant breeding strategies. He has been involved in organizing international scientific conferences and contributed numerous research presentations. In addition to teaching, students advising and research, he held administrative responsibilities as the Assistant Director of Date Palm Research Center, Head of Department of Plant Biotechnology and Vice Dean for Development and Quality Assurance. Dr. Al-Khayri served as a Member of Majlis Ash Shura (Saudi Legislative Council) for the 2009-2012 term. Currently he is maintaining an active research program on date palm focusing in vitro culture, secondary metabolites production, genetic engineering and mutagenesis to enhance tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress.

Dr Muhammad N. Sattar is specialized in molecular biology and biotechnology with a focus on molecular plant virology. Prior to his current position he worked as assistant professor in molecular virology in the University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan. He earned his post-doctorate and his PhD degree in molecular biology from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala Sweden. He has supervised graduate students on topics including the application of CRISPR/Cas9 based GE against cotton leaf curl disease in cotton. Dr. Sattar has received several research project grants from multiple national and international sources during his career. He has published over 40 research papers in peer-reviewed ISI-indexed international journals, 10 book chapters with Springer, Taylor & Francis and Nova publishers.

Professor Sudhir K. Sopory is currently SERB (GOI) Distinguished Fellow and Senior Emeritus Scientist at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi where he also worked as Group Leader and Director. He obtained his PhD in 1973 and had post-doctoral/visiting scientist stints in Germany (University of Munich) and USA (University of Texas and US Department of Agriculture). He earlier worked as Professor at the School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi where he also served as Vice Chancellor for five years. His research focuses on molecular basis of abiotic stress tolerance in plants in addition to plant tissue culture and transformation, nitrogen metabolism and light mediated gene expression. He has edited 13 books and published over 250 scientific papers in international journals and 60 book chapters. Currently he is the President of Biotech Research Society of India.

Prof. Shri Mohan Jain is a Consultant and Plant Biotechnologist, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; received M. Phil, 1973 and Ph.D., 1978, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. He was a postdoctoral fellow in Israel, USA, and visiting scientist/Professor in Japan, Malaysia, Germany, and Italy. He was a Technical Officer, Plant Breeding and Genetics, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria, 1999-2005. He is a member of International Association of Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology; editorial Board member of Euphytica, In Vitro, Propagation of Ornamental Plants, Emirates J. Food and Agriculture, and a series on Forest Biotechnology. His publications are more than 160 in peer reviewed journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings, and edited 55 books; invited speaker and acted as a Chair person in several international conferences worldwide. He was awarded Nobel Peace Prize, 2005 in commemoration the awarding to IAEA of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2005; also former consultant to IAEA, the European Union, The Govwernment of Greneda, Iranian Private Company and the Egyptian Government. Currently his research interests are somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis, haploidy, somatic cell hybridization, somaclonal variation and mutagenesis mainly in medicinal plants, date palm, and banana genetic improvement, genetic diversity, erosion, conservation, and utilization in the context of climate change and food and nutritional security.