PhD on targeted genetic manipulation in plants using DNA nanotechnology

at  KU Leuven

PHD ON TARGETED GENETIC MANIPULATION IN PLANTS USING DNA NANOTECHNOLOGY

(ref. BAP-2024-691)
Laatst aangepast: 29/10/24
The Laboratory for Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement (PGCI) at the Department of Biosystems at KU Leuven studies the genetic and molecular regulation of key reproductive processes in plants (flowering, meiosis, fertilization, etc.) with a particular focus on genomic stability and karyotype change. These insights are integrated in an evolutionary context to unravel natural mechanisms for genomic change, adaptation and plant speciation, and alternatively are used as a fundamental basis for developing novel strategies for advanced crop breeding. This includes technologies to accelerate the overall build-up of genetic gain in conventional selection-based breeding programs, as well as new biotech strategies, including CRISPR/Cas, to directly improve or adjust specific crop attributes.
Website van de eenheid

• Construction of DNA nanostructures and optimization of their design to achieve stable and systemic in planta delivery of CRISPR components in Arabidopsis
• Testing and adapting DNA nanobody application conditions to achieve maximum gene editing (GE) efficiency with integration of environmental effects
• Fine-tuning DNA nanostructure design parameters to enable targeted delivery of CRISPR machinery towards specific plant organs and cell/tissue types
• Application and validation of the newly developed CRISPR-Cas delivery technology for multiplex gene editing in major crop species, with a prime focus on tomato, maize and soybean