Using CRISPR to Engineer Drought-Resistant Crops for a Changing Climate

Presenter: Brody Robbins

Faculty Sponsor: Reena Randhir

School: Springfield Technical Community College

Research Area: Biology

Session: Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, Auditorium, A6

ABSTRACT

Drought adversely impacts agricultural crops since it leads to water stress that affects photosynthesis and plant growth leading to reduced yields threatening food security. To address this, biotechnological techniques such as genome editing and microbial interventions are used to help plants adapt to drought stress. This literature review in Nature, highlights the understanding we have of the molecular and biochemical responses that support a plant’s tolerance of drought. Other molecular defense mechanisms such as changes in regulatory genes, transcription factors, stress-responsive pathways, and CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) Cas-9 (CRISPR associated protein) gene editing for drought tolerance was studied. When a plant is subject to drought stress it severely reduces photosynthesis mainly due to stomatal closure and reduced carbon fixation. This affects the water balance and causes oxidative damage through increased reactive oxygen species. Abscisic acid signaling is the main regulator causing stomatal closure that turns on stress responsive genes to conserve water. CRISPR Cas-9 genome editing technology has been a valuable tool to develop drought resistant properties by targeting genes involved in water-use efficiency, root development, and stress hormone signaling. Another method that is widely used is promoting rhizobacteria and mycorrhizae that improve water and nutrient uptake by changing the root architecture. Addressing drought stress needs a multifaceted approach and involves advanced knowledge of how a crop responds to drought at a molecular level. Molecular biology has helped in understanding these processes, while microbial-based interventions show the potential for integrated strategies to improve crop resilience in the future.

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