Improving Apple Fruit Quality Through CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing

The future of plant breeding arguably lies in the direct genetic transformation of plants for improved traits via gene editing. CRISPR is a relatively new and powerful gene editing tool that can be used to edit the DNA of any organism. CRISPR gene editing has the potential to improve apple fruit quality and speed up the traditionally long and labour-intensive process of developing new apple varieties. The primary barrier to the successful implementation of gene editing tools in apple is the development of robust tissue culture protocols. Tissue culturing is required to prepare apple tissue to be transformed with gene editing machinery. This research project aims develop and optimize a tissue culturing protocol for apple and then edit key genes in apple using CRISPR. The expected outcomes of this research project are to develop a robust tissue culturing protocol for apple and demonstrate successful editing of the apple genome to improve fruit quality and sustainability traits.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sean Myles

Student:

Partner:

University of California, Davis

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Biotechnology; Agriculture and Food; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: