Chinese Scientists Develop Safer Gene-Editing System Using Dengue Virus for Agriculture

Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in gene-editing technology by developing a safer and more efficient system that utilizes components from viruses such as dengue fever and tobacco mosaic. This new method aims to revolutionize plant genome editing by eliminating the risks associated with traditional DNA-based techniques.

A Safer Alternative to CRISPR-Based Gene Editing

The widely used CRISPR gene-editing system relies on DNA vectors, which can leave behind foreign genetic material, potentially leading to unintended mutations. To address this, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, in collaboration with Qi Biodesign, developed an alternative method based on messenger RNA (mRNA). Unlike DNA-based systems, mRNA delivery does not integrate foreign genetic material into the plant genome, significantly reducing safety concerns.

However, existing mRNA-based delivery systems have been inefficient in plants, limiting their practical application. The Chinese researchers overcame this challenge by incorporating viral components that enhance the stability and efficiency of gene editing. Their study, published in the peer-reviewed Plant Biotechnology Journal on February 10, describes how the new approach improves precision while eliminating risks associated with genetic modification.

Leveraging Viruses to Improve Efficiency

Viruses naturally excel at transferring genetic material between cells, a feature the scientists leveraged to enhance gene-editing in crops. By integrating elements from the dengue fever and tobacco mosaic viruses, they developed a system that significantly outperforms traditional DNA plasmid-based methods.

In experimental trials, the new system demonstrated 4.3 times higher editing efficiency in rice and 3.5 times higher efficiency in wheat compared to conventional techniques. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that, unlike plants modified with plasmid systems, those edited with the new mRNA approach contained no foreign DNA—an essential factor for regulatory approval and public acceptance.

Potential for Widespread Agricultural Application

Gene-editing technology has transformed agriculture by allowing precise modifications to enhance traits such as higher yield, pest resistance, and climate adaptability. However, concerns over the safety of genetically modified crops have led to regulatory restrictions in many countries. The transgene-free nature of this new system makes it a promising solution to address these concerns while accelerating the development of improved crop varieties.

The research team also explored additional modifications to increase efficiency. Since mRNA is naturally prone to degradation, they coated the molecules with protamine, a chemical that improved stability and further boosted editing precision.

Expanding the Scope of Gene-Edited Crops

The scientists believe their system has broad applicability across various plant species, including major crops such as maize, sorghum, soybean, barley, and even vegetatively propagated crops like sugarcane and bananas. The technique relies on biolistic delivery, also known as particle bombardment, in which metal particles coated with RNA are shot into plant cells using a "gene gun." This method enhances the uptake of gene-editing materials without requiring foreign DNA integration.

This development marks a significant step in advancing plant genome editing, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to existing methods. The researchers expect their breakthrough to accelerate agricultural innovation and help meet the growing global demand for high-yield, climate-resilient crops.