Did You Know How Precise New Genomic Techniques Actually Are?

Have you ever got lost in a large building? Scientists face the same challenge when navigating though crops’ genomes*. If the EU parliament building was an apple genome, new genomic techniques are so accurate they could find and amend a component smaller than the tip of a pen in someone’s desk**. Today’s modern breeding tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9, are far more precise than classical breeding methods which require years of selective breeding to restore undesired genetic changes.

With crop genomes already sequenced, scientists now have unprecedented access to DNA information. This allows them to map crops’ genetic structures, just like architects mapping floors, rooms and equipment in large buildings. Modern breeding technologies are a great opportunity to accelerate adaptation of crops to climate change, local agronomic needs and further improve disease resistance, and nutritional value.