Context:

A recent collaborative effort between the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute in Cuttack, India, and Pennsylvania State University, USA, has yielded a groundbreaking advancement in plant genome editing. 

More on the News: 

• The researchers have developed a novel genome-editing tool called ISDra2TnpB, derived from the bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans, that overcomes the limitations of the widely used CRISPR technology in plant systems.

Key features of ISDra2TnpB:

• A major challenge in plant genome editing has been the large size of these proteins, which often hinders their efficient delivery and function within plant cells. 
• The ISDra2TnpB tool addresses the above limitation by being significantly smaller than traditional CRISPR-associated proteins, making it more suitable for use in plant cells.
• The ISDra2TnpB is less than half the size of Cas9 and Cas12, allowing for more efficient delivery and function within plant cells. 
• It has demonstrated a remarkable 33.58% editing efficiency in average plant genomes, making it a promising option for various crops. 
• The researchers have also shown that ISDra2TnpB is effective in editing both monocot plants (like rice) and dicot plants (like Arabidopsis). 
• Furthermore, the team has enhanced the tool by creating a hybrid base editor that can swap single nucleotides in the DNA sequence, opening up new possibilities for precise genetic modifications.

Genome: 

• It is the complete set of DNA instructions found in a cell.
• The human genome is made up of smaller chromosomes found in the cell's mitochondria and 23 pairs of chromosomes found in the nucleus of the cell.
• The genome contains all the information an individual needs to develop and function.

Genome editing:

• It is a powerful technique that allows scientists to make precise modifications to the Deoxy-Ribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequence of living organisms.
• With the help of the gene-editing tool CRISPR, scientists can precisely edit genomes to introduce desirable genetic traits or remove undesirable ones.
• The CRISPR system, particularly using proteins like Cas9 and Cas12, has revolutionized genetic research due to its precision and efficiency. 

About TnpB Protein:

• It is a protein composed of about 400 amino acid units.
• It belongs to the family of transposable elements or transposons, also called "jumping genes",
• Transposons are parts of the genome that can move from one place to another.

Practical Applications in Agriculture: 

• The development of ISDra2TnpB holds significant implications for agriculture, particularly in improving crop resilience and productivity. 
• By editing genes that make crops vulnerable to pests, ISDra2TnpB could play a big role in helping develop more pest-resistant varieties.
• The tool could also remove anti-nutrient factors from crops, enhancing their nutritional value. 
• ISDra2TnpB could help create shorter rice crops less prone to damage during cyclones, a common problem in cyclone-prone regions, thereby increasing crop resilience to environmental stress.