Researchers can finally modify plant mitochondrial DNA

 Rice in field (stock image). Credit: © orijinal_x / Adobe Stock

Researchers have edited plant mitochondrial DNA for the first time, which could lead to a more secure food supply. Nuclear DNA was first edited in the early 1970s, chloroplast DNA was first edited in 1988, and animal mitochondrial DNA was edited in 2008. However, no tool previously successfully edited plant mitochondrial DNA. Researchers used their technique to create four new lines of rice and three new lines of rapeseed (canola).

Nuclear DNA was first edited in the early 1970s, chloroplast DNA was first edited in 1988, and animal mitochondrial DNA was edited in 2008. However, no tool previously successfully edited plant mitochondrial DNA.

Researchers used their technique to create four new lines of rice and three new lines of rapeseed (canola).

"We knew we were successful when we saw that the rice plant was more polite -- it had a deep bow," said Associate Professor Shin-ichi Arimura, joking about how a fertile rice plant bends under the weight of heavy seeds.

Arimura is an expert in plant molecular genetics at the University of Tokyo and led the research team, whose results were published in Nature Plants. Collaborators at Tohoku University and Tamagawa University also contributed to the research.

News source: www.sciencedaily.com