phys.org·Apr 17, 2026
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute have successfully used CRISPR/Cas gene-editing to reduce or eliminate chromosomes in plants with large genomes like wheat, potentially speeding up breeding processes, as reported in the journal Plant Communications.
The use of CRISPR/Cas to reduce or remove chromosomes in plants with large genomes, as demonstrated by the IPK research team, represents a significant scientific breakthrough. This technique could dramatically accelerate breeding processes, offering actionable opportunities for advancements in agriculture and genomics, and potentially influencing future research directions in crop genetic engineering.