Sunday Evening News 396 - Week 41 - 2024
Weekly report on genetic engineering, genome editing, biotechnology and legal regulation.
September/Oktober 2024-10-07 - 2024-10-13
Anmerkungen
Diese Woche wurden die Medien von drei Themen beherrscht:
a) Vergabe der Nobelpreise – siehe oben,
b) Die Aussage vom Trump über die „schlechten“ Gene vom Emigranten
c) Die weitere Zulassung von gentechnisch veränderten Pflanzen durch die EU-Kommission. Allerdings wurde in keiner der
Pressemeldungen erwähnt, um welche Pflanzen ( events) sich handelt. Deshalb hier aufgeführt: ► Zulassungen von gv-Pflanzen in der EU. Am 08.10.2024 hat die EU-Kommission die gv-Baumwolle COT 102 und den gv-Mais DP202216 neu zugelassen sowie die Zulassung für die Maisvarietäten MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 und MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 x 59122 erneuert
Wie immer ist alles lesenswert wert, aber unter den Pressemeldungen empfehle ich: Entine J.: The Organic vs. Conventional Farming Debate is Getting Tired. South America is Forging a Third Way und
GM-Freeze: Regulating new GMOs responsibly - A briefing from GM Freeze
Bemerkenswert ist, dass die Publikation von Boedeker, W., Watts, M., Clausing, P. et al. vom Editor zurückgezogen wurde.
Das Editorial von Pelzer, S., Lensch, A “Grenzwert für DNA in Fermentationsprodukten schadet Industrie und Akademie“ ist sicherlich gut gemeint, aber m.E. ist es der Sache nicht sehr hilfreich. Es ist sachlich nicht korrekt und verwirrt mehr als es zur Sache aufklärt. Schade, aber vielleicht sich Sie anderer Meinung! Lassen Sie es mich wissen!
NOTES
This week, the media was dominated by three topics:
a) Awarding of the Nobel Prizes - see above,
b) Trump's statement about the “bad” genes of the emigrant
c) The further approval of genetically modified plants by the EU Commission. However, none of the press releases mentioned which plants ( events) were involved. Therefore listed here: ►Approvals of GM plants in the EU. On October 8, 2024, the EU Commission granted new approvals for the GM cotton COT 102 and the GM maize DP202216 and renewed the approval for the maize varieties MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 and MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 x 59122
As always, everything is worth reading, but among the press releases I recommend: Entine J.: The Organic vs. Conventional Farming Debate is Getting Tired. South America is Forging a Third Way and
GM-Freeze: Regulating new GMOs responsibly - A briefing from GM Freeze
It is noteworthy that the publication by Boedeker, W., Watts, M., Clausing, P. et al. was withdrawn by the editor.
The editorial by Pelzer, S., Lensch, A: ”Limit value for DNA in fermentation products harms industry and academia” is certainly well-intentioned, but in my opinion it is not very helpful to the cause. It is factually incorrect and confuses more than it clarifies. Too bad, but maybe you disagree! Please let me know!
Meetings - Tagungen
Dialogforum WISSENSWERTE - Heidelberg. 30.10. – 01.11.2024
https://wissenswerte.wpk.org/ Anmelden: https://wissenswerte.wpk.org/teilnehmen/
Die Genschere in Marburg, 1. & 2. November 2024
CRISPR-Cas auf Tour: Öffentlichkeitsarbeit für ein DFG Forschungskonsortium.
https://www.crispr-whisper.de/2024/08/20/die-genschere-in-marburg-1-2-november-2024/
Press Releases - Media / Presse- und Medienberichte
EP leaders adopt calendar for Commissioners-designate hearings
Hungarian Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities
https://www.publicnow.com/view/F9E6D6B24CA428DD6C17B6E7B5E0FAEB54A62E51?1728564532
Entine J.: The Organic vs. Conventional Farming Debate is Getting Tired. South America is Forging a Third Way
GM-Freeze: Regulating new GMOs responsibly - A briefing from GM Freeze
https://www.gmfreeze.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GMF-Regulate-new-GMOs-responsibly_briefing.pdf
Williams A.: Gene Editing And EU Regulations – A Patent Attorney's Perspective
ru / Millevigne: Freilandversuch der Uni Verona mit Chardonnay - Forscher pflanzen erstmals NGT-Reben in Europa
CRISPR vines make their field debut in Italy
https://mycrispr.blog/2024/09/30/crispr-vines-make-their-field-debut-in-italy/
Grigoriadis O./Focus: Pflanzen besitzen spezielle "Stress-Gene" – die könnten jetzt gegen den Klimawandel helfen
Only some selected press releases or media reports are listed here. The daily up-date of the press releases
and media reports are ►here: October week 41
Publications – Publikationen
Pelzer, S., Lensch, A. Grenzwert für DNA in Fermentationsprodukten schadet Industrie und Akademie. Biospektrum 30, 615 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12268-024-2318-3
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Boedeker, W., Watts, M., Clausing, P. et al. Retraction Note: The global distribution of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning:
estimations based on a systematic review. BMC Public Health 24, 2758 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20318-x
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-20318-x#citeas
_____________
Pearson, A.J., Mukherjee, K., Fattori, V. et al. (2024): Opportunities and challenges for global food safety in advancing
circular policies and practices in agrifood systems. npj Sci Food 8, 60 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-024-00286-7
Sustainable agrifood systems are needed to provide safe and nutritious food for the growing world’s population. To improve sustainability, transforming linear policies and practices in agrifood systems into circularity will be critical, with food safety considerations key for the success of this shift. This review provides a synthesis of the current and emerging risks, data gaps, and opportunities for food safety in agrifood initiatives aiming to advance circular economy models.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-024-00286-7
Wesseler J., Zhu M. (2024): The Contribution of the Bioeconomy to Sustainable Development.
Engineering | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2024.08.019
Payet, R.D., Bilham, L.J., Kabir, S.M.T. et al. (2024): Elucidation of Spartina dimethylsulfoniopropionate synthesis genes
enables engineering of stress tolerant plants. Nat Commun 15, 8568 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51758-z
The organosulfur compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) has key roles in stress protection, global carbon and sulfur cycling, chemotaxis, and is a major source of climate-active gases. Saltmarshes are global hotspots for DMSP cycling due to Spartina cordgrasses that produce exceptionally high concentrations of DMSP. Here, in Spartina anglica, we identify the plant genes that underpin high-level DMSP synthesis: methionine S-methyltransferase (MMT), S-methylmethionine decarboxylase (SDC) and DMSP-amine oxidase (DOX). Homologs of these enzymes are common in plants, but differences in expression and catalytic efficiency explain why S. anglica accumulates such high DMSP concentrations and other plants only accumulate low concentrations. Furthermore, DMSP accumulation in S. anglica is consistent with DMSP having a role in oxidative and osmotic stress protection. Importantly, administration of DMSP by root uptake or over-expression of Spartina DMSP synthesis genes confers plant tolerance to salinity and drought offering a route for future bioengineering for sustainable crop production.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51758-z
Zhang, X., Song, M., Wang, Y. et al. (2024): Programmable broad-spectrum resistance to bacterial blight using targeted
insertion in rice. Cell Discov 10, 100 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41421-024-00714-8
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41421-024-00714-8
Sood, S., Dipta, B., Mangal, V. et al. (2024): CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Genome Editing for Improving Key Traits in Potato
(Solanum tuberosum L.). J Plant Growth Regul (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-024-11514-5
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plays a crucial role in meeting global food demands due to its extensive cultivation and high nutritional value. Despite their significance, potatoes are subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses that hamper their growth and productivity. Traditional breeding methods have been used to develop disease-resistant and pest-resistant potato varieties; however, progress is slow due to lengthy breeding cycles. Genome editing (GE) allows precise and efficient modification of genomic loci to create elite crop varieties with desired traits. Among various GE tools, the advent of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system represents a major advancement in genetic engineering. This tool allows precise mutagenesis, gene knockouts, multiplex GE, and gene expression manipulations, thereby significantly advancing crop research and the development of designer crops. In autopolyploid crops like potatoes, CRISPR/Cas-based GE technology has been employed to manage various important traits, such as disease resistance, by targeting the genes involved in viral replication, susceptibility factors, and by introducing resistance genes. The CRISPR/Cas tool has also enhanced the tolerance to abiotic stresses, such as drought and salinity, making the potato more resilient to changing environmental conditions. Additionally, this technology has improved tuber quality by manipulating amylose and amylopectin contents, and by reducing steroidal glycoalkaloid content and enzymatic browning. The present review article delves into CRISPR/Cas technology and highlights its potential to improve key traits in potatoes.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00344-024-11514-5
Badoni S., Pasion-Uy E.A., Kor S., +13 and Sreenivasulu N. (2024): Multiomics of a rice population identifies genes and
genomic regions that bestow low glycemic index and high protein content. PNAS 121 (36) e2410598121 | https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2410598121
To counter the rising incidence of diabetes and to meet the daily protein needs, we created low glycemic index (GI) rice varieties with protein content (PC) surpassing 14%. In the development of recombinant inbred lines using Samba Mahsuri and IR36 amylose extender (IR36ae) as parental lines, we identified quantitative trait loci and genes associated with low GI, high amylose content (AC), and high PC. By integrating genetic techniques with classification models, this comprehensive approach identified candidate genes on chromosome 2 (qGI2.1/qAC2.1 spanning the region from 18.62 Mb to 19.95 Mb), exerting influence on low GI and high amylose. Notably, the phenotypic variant with high value was associated with the recessive allele of the starch branching enzyme 2b (sbeIIb). The genome-edited sbeIIb line confirmed low GI phenotype in milled rice grains. Further, combinations of alleles created by the highly significant SNPs from the targeted associations and epistatically interacting genes showed ultralow GI phenotypes with high amylose and high protein. Metabolomics analysis of rice with varying AC, PC, and GI revealed that the superior lines of high AC and PC, and low GI were preferentially enriched in glycolytic and amino acid metabolisms, whereas the inferior lines of low AC and PC and high GI were enriched with fatty acid metabolism. The high amylose high protein recombinant inbred line (HAHP_101) was enriched in essential amino acids like lysine. Such lines may be highly relevant for food product development to address diabetes and malnutrition.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2410598121
Hoernstein, S.N.W., Schlosser, A., Fiedler, K. et al. (2024): A snapshot of the Physcomitrella N-terminome reveals N-terminal
methylation of organellar proteins. Plant Cell Rep 43, 250 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-024-03329-1
Post- or co-translational N-terminal modifications of proteins influence their half-life as well as mediating protein sorting to organelles via cleavable N-terminal sequences that are recognized by the respective translocation machinery. Here, we provide an overview on the current modification state of the N-termini of over 4500 proteins from the model moss Physcomitrella (Physcomitrium patens) using a compilation of 24 N-terminomics datasets. Our data reveal distinct proteoforms and modification states and confirm predicted targeting peptide cleavage sites of 1,144 proteins localized to plastids and the thylakoid lumen, to mitochondria, and to the secretory pathway. In addition, we uncover extended N-terminal methylation of mitochondrial proteins. Moreover, we identified PpNTM1 (P. patens alpha N-terminal protein methyltransferase 1) as a candidate for protein methylation in plastids, mitochondria, and the cytosol. These data can now be used to optimize computational targeting predictors, for customized protein fusions and their targeted localization in biotechnology, and offer novel insights into potential dual targeting of proteins.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00299-024-03329-1
Roberts R.J. and Naimy V. (2024): Strategic Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in Lebanon: A Comprehensive Cost–
Benefit Analysis and Implementation Framework. Sustainability 2024, 16 (19), 8350 | https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198350
This paper investigates the economic feasibility and benefits of introducing genetically modified (GM) crops into Lebanon’s agricultural sector. The methodology combines a rigorous cost–benefit analysis with qualitative insights from local farmers and agricultural scientists to ensure relevance to Lebanon’s unique agricultural context. Through this study, we identified tomatoes and potatoes as the most suitable crops for GM implementation. The findings indicate that GM tomatoes could increase net income by USD 10,000 per hectare in the short term and USD 50,000 over five years. These economic benefits are primarily driven by higher yields and reduced pesticide costs. This study emphasizes the necessity of a holistic approach, including financial support, infrastructure development, farmer education, and robust market access strategies, to maximize the potential of GM crops. This research provides a strategic framework for leveraging GM technology to address Lebanon’s agricultural challenges, promoting sustainable practices, enhancing food security, and ensuring long-term economic stability. By integrating local context and stakeholder perspectives, this paper offers a unique and actionable pathway for successful GM crop implementation in Lebanon.
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/19/8350
EFSA
FEZ Panel (2024): Safety evaluation of an extension of use of the food enzyme β-glucosidase from the non-genetically modified
Penicillium guanacastense strain AE-GLY. EFSA Journal, 22 (10), e9040.
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9040
FEZ Panel (2024): Safety evaluation of the food enzyme endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase from the non-genetically modified Talaromyces
versatilis strain PF8. EFSA Journal, 22(10), e9033. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9033
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9033
FEZ Panel (2024): Safety evaluation of the food enzyme endonuclease from the non-genetically modified Penicillium citrinum
strain NP 11–15. EFSA Journal, 22(10), e9032. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9032
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9032
FEZ Panel (2024). Safety evaluation of the food enzyme triacylglycerol lipase from the non-genetically modified Aspergillus
tubingensis strain NL151. EFSA Journal, 22(10), e9035. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9035
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9035
Plant Health Newsletter on Horizon Scanning– August 2024. EFSA Supporting Publications, 21: 9006E.
https://doi.org/10.2903/sp.efsa.2024.EN-9006
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/sp.efsa.2024.EN-9006