Whereas the CRISPR/Cas technology has been applied in plants mainly on genes for the elucidation of their function or the improvement of traits Holger Puchta’s lab could now show, that the technology can also be utilized to restructure plant chromosomes.
They were able to induce NHEJ-mediated heritable translocations in the Mb range between heterologous chromosomes in Arabidopsis thaliana as wells as the reversion of a 1.1 Mb inversion on chromosome 4 of the accession Arabidopsis Col-0. Thus, they could bring back meiotic crossovers into this region that was inaccessible for genetic exchange before.
Chromosome engineering can be used for fixing or breaking genetic linkages between traits or control specification and has the potential to revolutionize plant breeding.
Referent: Prof. Dr. Holger Puchta
Moderation: Dr. Annette Meyer (CAS LMU)
The event will be streamed in English. Prior registration by email is required. For further information, see the CAS website.
The Center for Advanced Studies at LMU provides a forum for scientific exchange and discussion that bridges the divide between the established disciplines. Its activities are designed to promote all forms of collaborative research and to stimulate interdisciplinary communication within the University. In addition, it facilitates the integration of visiting scholars and scientists into the academic life of the University.