Overcoming the CRISPR Delivery Bottleneck in Global Agriculture

While CRISPR gene-editing technology has been recognized for over a decade, its application in agriculture has remained surprisingly limited. Despite its potential to revolutionize food security and crop resiliency, the technology is currently widely used in only about 10 crops. The primary obstacle isn’t a lack of understanding of CRISPR’s value, but rather a critical technical bottleneck: the delivery of the technology into plant cells.

To address this challenge, Israel-based BetterSeeds and Caszyme are targeting the tissue culture bottleneck through the viral delivery of ultra-compact CRISPR tools. By refining how these tools are delivered, these innovators aim to make gene editing cost-efficient and applicable across a much wider range of crops.

The Delivery Challenge: Why CRISPR Adoption Has Been Slow

CRISPR-Cas technology is well-known for its ability to perform precise DNA cutting, yet its adoption in the field has been slow. According to BetterSeeds CEO Ido Margalit, the process of applying CRISPR across various crops is arduous. The “critical bottleneck” is the effective delivery of the CRISPR components into the plant’s genome.

Most current applications are restricted to a handful of crops because the delivery systems are often inefficient or too complex for broad apply. Unlocking the full potential of gene editing requires advanced delivery systems that can function across diverse plant species without the prohibitive costs or technical failures associated with traditional tissue culture methods.

Strategic Expertise: The Role of Professor Virginijus Šikšnys

To accelerate the development of these delivery solutions, BetterSeeds has appointed Professor Virginijus Šikšnys to its Scientific Advisory Board. Professor Šikšnys is a pioneer in the field of CRISPR-Cas systems, recognized for a groundbreaking 2012 publication that independently demonstrated the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 for precise DNA cutting. His work predated similar research by Nobel Laureates Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier and was instrumental in the global adoption of the technology.

BetterSeeds intends to use Professor Šikšnys’ expertise to leverage CRISPR-Cas technology to enhance crop resiliency against climate change and expand the application of gene editing to a broader array of crops.

Customized CRISPR Solutions via Caszyme

The effort to bypass delivery bottlenecks is supported by the capabilities of Caszyme, a company specializing in customized CRISPR solutions. Caszyme utilizes a flexible, diverse platform to develop market-ready products across several sectors, including:

• Agri-Tech: Transforming food production by addressing existing agricultural challenges.
• Therapeutics: Developing tailored solutions to treat genetic and acquired diseases.
• Industrial Biotech: Optimizing microorganisms and processes to enhance sustainability.
• Diagnostics: Creating targeted and efficient precision testing.

By combining deep nuclease expertise and protein evolution, Caszyme provides the technical foundation necessary to create the “ultra-compact” tools required for more efficient viral delivery into plant tissues.

Key Takeaways: The Path to Sustainable Agriculture

• The Bottleneck: CRISPR is currently limited to roughly 10 crops due to delivery challenges.
• The Solution: BetterSeeds and Caszyme are focusing on viral delivery and ultra-compact tools to bypass tissue culture hurdles.
• Expert Leadership: The appointment of CRISPR pioneer Professor Virginijus Šikšnys provides critical scientific guidance for expanding crop applications.
• Goal: The ultimate objective is to improve global food security and create climate-resilient crops.

The Future of Crop Enhancement

The shift toward viral delivery and compact CRISPR tools represents a significant move toward a more sustainable food future. By removing the technical barriers that have hindered the technology for 12 years, the industry can move beyond a few model crops and begin applying precise genetic improvements to the vast majority of the world’s food sources.

As these delivery systems mature, the ability to rapidly develop climate-resilient traits will be essential for maintaining global food stability in the face of environmental volatility.