Improving regional capacities in gene editing

A project that consolidates regional capacities in gene edition for breeding species of agricultural interest as a contribution to technological sovereignty, aggregating value to production and productive development

Context of the story

Conventional genetic breeding has always been a process that requires a lot of time. The recent appearance of gene editing (GE) is a significant leap in genetic modification technologies with a high impact on increasing sought-for variability. It allows deliberate modifications in the DNA sequence of specific genes to alter their expression (to silence or over-express them), replace alleles and introduce transgenes into predetermined genome sites. It can reduce genetic breeding time and produces an advantage in the generation of improved animals and plants, due to their lower cost and greater accessibility. To make the most of this possibility, it is necessary to generate and reinforce regional GE capacities.

A public-private initiative to level the gene editing playing field with developed countries

The implemented initiative

"Gene editing" makes it possible to modify the DNA sequences of specific genes to alter their expression, introduce favorable alleles or place transgenes at specific sites in the plant or animal genome, generating new variability, reducing breeding times with lower cost and greater accessibility. This would not present special regulatory requirements according to the definition of GMOs in the Cartagena Protocol. The project will generate capacities that enable the creation of new genetics for key species. A platform for research and application of GE knowledge is to be created, which will consolidate the capacities of public institutions and companies from 7 countries. FONTAGRO, PROCISUR, producer organizations and private companies provide the financing.

The technological solution

The project creates an inter-institutional platform for research and application of gene editing (GE) knowledge that will consolidate regional research and innovation capacities in species of agricultural interest.
Specifically, this project includes the implementation of technological pilots oriented to:
- Obtaining potato varieties with increased nutritional and industrial quality.
- The development of soybeans suitable for consumption by monogastric animals (pigs, birds, fish) through a decrease in anti-nutritional compounds in the grain.
-The generation of animals with modified characteristics to generate products and/or by-products of interest for livestock production

"CRISPR/CAS9 technology will have a very important impact on our daily lives ... medicine, agriculture, research or manufacturing "green" chemicals are some areas that will improve thanks to it ..."

Jennifer Doudna, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020

Participating countries

Type of project

Basic Genetics

Results

- The project embraces the spirit of cooperation between countries and fosters public-private collaboration.
- Likewise, it contributes to (re)creating instances to stimulate technical integration throughout the chain, from those skilled in molecular engineering techniques (GE, in this case) to geneticists and plant and animal breeders playing a leading role in defining the traits and genotypes of greatest interest. These will form the basis of projects generating variability for use in improvement programs.
- Finally, it should be noted that the project seeks to solve problems of the region or each country.