title: Targeted modification of plant genomes for precision crop breeding.
abstract: The development of gene targeting and gene editing techniques based on programmable site-directed nucleases (SDNs) has increased the precision of genome modification and made the outcomes more predictable and controllable. These approaches have achieved rapid advances in plant biotechnology, particularly the development of improved crop varieties. Here, we review the range of alterations which have already been implemented in plant genomes, and summarize the reported efficiencies of precise genome modification. Many crop varieties are being developed using SDN technologies and although their regulatory status in the USA is clear there is still a decision pending in the EU. DNA-free genome editing strategies are briefly discussed because they also present a unique regulatory challenge. The potential applications of genome editing in plant breeding and crop improvement are highlighted by drawing examples from the recent literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hilscher
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biotechnology in Plant Production (IFA Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Tulln, Austria.
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bürstmayr
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stoger
mesh_terms: D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics*; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072669:Gene Editing / Q000379:methods*; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D018745:Genome, Plant; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000235:genetics; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed / Q000379:methods; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics; D000069600:Plant Breeding / Q000379:methods*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D003851:Deoxyribonucleases
keywords: Crop improvement; Gene targeting; Genome editing; Regulation; Site-directed nucleases