Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In most countries, the improvement of tree species traits still relies on traditional classical breeding methods, whereas in some developed or leading countries, this challenge is increasingly addressed by employing genetic engineering techniques.The first research into genetically modifying trees began in the United States in 1987, while the large-scale industrial application of genetically modified trees was first introduced in China in 2002.However, there are concerns regarding the potential uncontrolled spread of modified trees and their possible displacement of natural species.This study aimed at selecting aspen lines with an edited region of the LEAFY gene, known for its involvement in the formation of inflorescences.Genotyping was performed on 227 samples of genetically modified aspen clones.A genomic library was created for sequencing using 250 bp paired-end MiSeq (Illumina, USA) protocols.Softwear were used: FastQC is used for a quality control of high throughput sequence data, Trimmomatic -a flexible read trimming tool for Illumina NGS data and CRISPResso2 -for the analyzing deep sequencing data, enabling rapid and intuitive interpretation of genome editing experiments.Some samples exhibited alleles with induced polymorphism at the target locus.Additionally, samples containing a two-nucleotide deletion (GA/-) at the target site were identified.Samples with the mutations described above are chimeric.Sequencing revealed that CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations in the target gene occurred in seven plants.These plants serve as candidates for additional studies and vegetative reproduction to develop experimental forest cultures.
Institution: Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7166205175