Transgene-free genome editing in citrus and poplar meristem tissues via biolistic ribonucleoprotein delivery of CRISPR-Cas9.

ABSTRACT:

Key message

Biolistic particle bombardment was used to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNP) into the shoot apical meristem tissue of citrus and axillary meristem tissue of poplar, generating directed mutations in target genes. The use of meristematic tissues offers a strategic approach to genome editing in woody species, especially those that are recalcitrant to conventional tissue culture, as these regions contain totipotent, highly regenerative cells capable of giving rise to whole plants. Here, we employed biolistic delivery of genome-editing reagents into theshoot apical meristem (SAM) of citrus and the axillary meristems (AXM) of poplar. The system was first validated using a GFP expression construct and subsequently applied for targeted genome editing. In cit

SUBMITTER: Rocha DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12913300 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature