plant science news publications january february 2024

What’s new in plant science? Relevant scientific publications gathered in January-February 2024

The first edition of our new series “What’s new in plant science?”, provides an overview on scientific publications gathered during January-February 2024. While not published by VIRTIGATION itself, they include highly relevant findings for the stakeholders of our network.

Recent advances in genome editing technologies

Two recent scientific publications leverage the potential of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology to support the development of new virus-resistant plants. A team of Indian researchers explore targets, strategies and challenges in this regard in a contribution to the Physiological & Molecular Plant Pathology journal.
Moreover, a new study of VIRTIGATION’s partner project HARNESSTOM elaborates how virus-induced genome editing uses viral vectors to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 components into tomato plants for robust and flexible trait engineering. This
approach could enable to improve current genomics and plant breeding techniques. The HARNESSTOM paper was published in the Horticulture Research journal.  

news in plant science publications jan feb 2024
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New methods developed against Bemisia tabaci

Two new scientific publications have made key advances in tackling the Bemisia tabaci whitefly, a devastating plant pest that acts as vector for the ToLCNDV and TYLCV plant viruses. A group of Chinese researchers managed to knock down the odorant coreceptor gene of the Bemisia tabaci whitefly with RNA interference (RNAi) technology. This is crucial, as chemical signals are quintessential in mediating insect feeding and reproduction, and thus serve as primary drivers of plant-insect interactions. Their findings were published in the Pesticide Biochemistry & Physiology journal. 
Furthermore, another Chinese team found that D-Limonene – an essential oil found in the peel of citrus fruits – is a
key repellent against the Bemisia tabaci and its ability to acquire and transmit the TYLCV plant virus. Their research was released in the Viruses journal
RNAi is also discussed in another recent scientific publication for its general potential in supporting the crop protection efforts of the value chain. As a naturally occurring gene silencing mechanism, RNAi has historically been used as a research tool to study gene functions. More about the promises of RNAi technology can be found in the publication in CAST, a key science source for food, agricultural and environmental issues. 

plant science news january february 2024
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New results to better understand & control plant viruses

Several recent scientific publications have made important strides in better understanding and controlling the devastating tobamovirus ToBRFV, the whitefly-transmitted begomovirus TYLCV and the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Scientists from the Italian VIRTIGATION partner University of Catania discovered new natural hosts of ToBRFV – the bindweed Convolvulus arvensis and the fourleaf allseed Polycarpon tetraphyllum. Their findings were documented in the Plant Disease journal.
A team of Turkish scientists proposed a new integrated control strategy for ToBRFV, including the entire tomato cultivation process from seed to harvest. Their proposal was published in the Agriculture journal.
TYLCV frequently generates recombinants in mixed infections. Victor Golyaev, scientist at VIRTIGATION coordinator KU Leuven, was part of a research team that uncovered how a recombinant derivative of TYLCV outcompeted TYLCV in a mixed infection and broke disease resistance in Ty-1 tomato cultivars. Their paper appeared in the PLOS Pathogens journal. 
Mixed viral infections in plants generally often result in strong virus–virus interactions. A new study involving scientist René van der Vlugt from VIRTIGATION partner Stichting Wageningen Research 
found that the genome formula of CMV is constrained as a result of a mixed viral infection. Their results were released in the Frontiers in Virology journal. 

Could plant virus nanoparticles help fight cancer?

Understandably, plant viruses are usually viewed by value chain actors as dangerous pathogens to plant health and crop production. But plant virus nanoparticles could actually help combat cancer in humans, thanks to their versatile uses. This is the conclusion of a review conducted by a team of researchers spread across the globe (i.e. USA, Iran, Canada, Nigeria), which was recently published in the Vaccines journal

publications new plant science january february 2024
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