Sunday Evening News 423 - Week 18 - 2025
Weekly report on genetic engineering, genome editing, biotechnology and legal regulation.
April 2025-04-28 - May 2025-05-04
Dossier - Evolution
https://www.laborjournal.de/rubric/dossier/dossier_folge.php?myart=evolution
Zulassung von genomeditierten Schweinen in den USA
FDA approval on 29 April 2025 - NADA 141-609
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) -https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFonsi/4962
FOI summary - https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/16887
Environmental Assessment - https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadEA/4982
Ashley Quigley BSc (Hons), MRSC: In the Defence of Glyphosate - Glyphosate on Trial: A Science-Based Defence in Four Acts
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/defence-glyphosate-ashley-quigley-bsc-hons-mrsc-id5ae/
Meetings – Conferences / Treffen - Veranstaltungen
11. Außenwirtschaftstag der Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft
Im Fokus: Export, neue Märkte & Partnerschaften. 03.06.2025
Zur Anmeldung https://lnkd.in/esvjkNMH
https://www.auwitag-ernaehrung.de/
EFSA's Scientific Colloquium 28 - Assessing indirect effects of pesticides in environmental risk assessment
18 June 2025, 09.30 - 17.30 (CEST), Brussels, Belgium and online
GRUR meets Brussels Workshop 2025 "New Genomic Techniques and Patents in Plant Innovation"
Mittwoch, 25. Juni 2025 - 10.30 Uhr bis 19.30 Uhr
ORT: Vertretung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen bei der EU, 47 Rue Montoyer, 1000 Brüssel, Belgien
Press Releases - Media / Presse- und Medienberichte
POINT NEWSLETTER NR. 274 – APRIL 2025: Aktuelle Biotechnologie
https://www.scienceindustries.ch/_file/37780/point-2025-04-274-d.pdf
Zeit -online: Das sind die künftigen Ministerinnen und Minister der Union
VLOG: Neuer Landwirtschaftsminister Alois Rainer: Praktiker für gute Gentechnik-Regeln?
Wenzl I.: Deregulierung neuer Gentechnik verstößt gegen Völkerrecht
Agrifood-Table: EU-Gentechnikreform: Gutachten heizt Debatte um Vereinbarkeit mit internationalem Recht an (Paywall, )
Konsens unter Rechtswissenschaftlern gibt es zu dem Thema aber nicht, auch wenn die Debatte schon länger schwelt. Denn es ist umstritten, ob das Cartagena-Protokoll überhaupt auf NGT-1-Pflanzen anwendbar ist. Der Passauer Staats- und Völkerrechtler Hans-Georg Dederer etwa sieht es nicht so: NGT-1-Pflanzen fielen seiner Einschätzung nach nicht unter die Definition „veränderter, lebender Organismen“ (LMO), die der Vereinbarung zugrunde liegt, sagt er. Denn laut dem EU-Vorschlag gelten sie als vergleichbar mit konventionellen Pflanzen, können also genauso auch durch herkömmliche Züchtung entstehen. Gutachterin Vöneky argumentiert dagegen: Die Vereinbarung greife trotzdem, weil auch NGT-1-Pflanzen mithilfe „moderner Biotechnologie“ erzeugt würden.
GM Watch: Abolition of GMO labelling requirements for new GM plants and foods would violate international law
https://www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/latest-news/20540
EU-Parlament: Demokratische Legitimität des GVO-Zulassungsverfahrens
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2025/772828/EPRS_ATA(2025)772828_DE.pdf
Democratic legitimacy of the GMO authorisation procedure
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2025/772828/EPRS_ATA(2025)772828_EN.pdf
Monconduit H.: The IP Puzzle of NGTs in Europe: Unlocking Innovation, Access and Fair Play
Carnevali A.: Should the EU ease regulation on new generation GMOs? | Euronews Tech Talks
Schönig W., Ratajczak J., Rosenzweig L.F., Pohlmann D.A.: April 2025 Update on Regulation of New Genomic Techniques in
the EU
https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/250425-april-2025-update-on-regulation
Only some selected press releases or media reports are listed here. The daily up-date of the press releases and
media reports are ►here: April /May week 18
Publications – Publikationen
Jin Y., Kristkova Z.S., Wesseler J. (2025): Welfare impacts of China's regulatory change toward genome-edited crops.
Trends in Biotechnology | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.04.010
What are the welfare impacts and implications of China’s newly issued safety evaluation guidelines toward genome-edited (GE) crops, and how do they compare with those in other countries? The answers are vital for enhancing food security and sustainability in China and stimulating R&D investment in GE crops.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167779925001374
da Cunha, N.B.; Silva Junior, J.J.d.; Araujo, A.M.M. et al. (2025): Updates on the Regulatory Framework of Edited Organisms
in Brazil: A Molecular Revolution in Brazilian Agribusiness. Genes 16, 553. | https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16050553
Genome editing technologies have revolutionized the production of microorganisms, plants, and animals with phenotypes of interest to agriculture. Editing previously sequenced genomes allows for the punctual, discreet, precise, and accurate alteration of DNA for genetic analysis, genotyping, and phenotyping, as well as the production of edited organisms for academic and industrial purposes, among many other objectives. In this context, genome editing technologies have been causing a revolution in Brazilian agriculture. Thanks to the publication of Normative Resolution No. 16 (in Portuguese Resolução Normativa No. 16-RN16) in 2018, Brazilian regulatory authorities have adapted to the new genetic manipulation technologies available to the scientific community. This review aims to describe the effects of updates to the regulatory framework for edited organisms in Brazil and to point out their impacts on research and development of emerging technologies in the Brazilian agricultural sector. The implementation of RN16 rationalized the regulatory aspects regarding the production, manipulation, exploration and commercial release of edited organisms and led to the faster, cheaper and safer obtaining of edited technologies, which are more productive and better adapted to different environmental conditions in Brazil.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/5/553
Wenck, A. and Kershen, D.L. (2025): Basic intellectual property for scientists: what is it, what to look for, and how to avoid
pitfalls. New Phytol. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70147
Academic researchers need to be aware of patents and other intellectual property (IP) considerations to ensure that they can bring exciting inventions to the public. This is especially important as they consider not only publishing their innovations but also protecting and monetizing them. Understanding issues such as freedom to operate and rights of ownership is important to maximize the impact of inventions. Understanding issues such as jurisdiction (i.e. where one can enforce their patent rights) is also critical. Timing and content of publications need to be carefully considered where researchers also wish to take advantage of patent filings. This article addresses these topics, as well as basic background, with a specific focus on United States patent rules.
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.70147
Glatzel, K., Maina, C.C., Nyishimirente, A., Klemm, J., Qaim, M. (2025): Leveraging the opportunities of neglected and
underutilized crops for nutrition and climate resilience. (ZEF Working Paper 245)
https://www.zef.de/fileadmin/webfiles/downloads/projects/AFS-TRP/NUCs_summary_Apr2025.pdf
Islam S. (2025): Agriculture, food security, and sustainability: a review. Explor Foods Foodomics.3:101082 |
https://doi.org/10.37349/eff.2025.101082
Agriculture is pivotal in securing global food security and sustainability, especially in pressing challenges such as climate change, population growth, and resource depletion. This review examines the interconnections between agriculture, food security, and sustainability, focusing on current challenges, innovations, and strategies to address these critical issues. The global demand for food is projected to increase substantially, necessitating agricultural systems that boost productivity and ensure environmental sustainability. However, conventional farming practices have exacerbated soil degradation, water scarcity, and greenhouse gas emissions, posing significant threats to long-term food security. This review aims to evaluate the role of sustainable agricultural practices in enhancing food security while mitigating environmental impacts. It also identifies existing gaps in farming systems and explores innovative solutions to promote resilient and sustainable food systems. A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and global agricultural reports was conducted. The analysis focuses on key themes such as sustainable farming practices, the impacts of climate change on agriculture, advancements in agrotechnology, and the socio-economic dimensions of food security. Synthesized findings provide actionable insights into best practices and emerging trends. Sustainable agriculture offers a viable pathway to address the dual challenges of food security and environmental conservation. Precision farming, agroecology, and regenerative agriculture enhance productivity while preserving resources and reducing ecological footprints. Integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and genetic innovations, can optimize agricultural efficiency. However, global food security requires coordinated efforts among governments, the private sector, and local communities to implement equitable resource distribution and climate-resilient policies. Future research should prioritize scalable, region-specific solutions that align with sustainability principles to ensure a secure and resilient global food system.
https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/eff/Article/101082
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About
Science. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/27894.
Our current information ecosystem makes it easier for misinformation about science to spread and harder for people to figure out what is scientifically accurate. Proactive solutions are needed to address misinformation about science, an issue of public concern given its potential to cause harm at individual, community, and societal levels. Improving access to high-quality scientific information can fill information voids that exist for topics of interest to people, reducing the likelihood of exposure to and uptake of misinformation about science. Misinformation is commonly perceived as a matter of bad actors maliciously misleading the public, but misinformation about science arises both intentionally and inadvertently and from a wide range of sources.
Dai, JM., Zhang, JD., Liu, X. et al. (2025): Gene editing, metabolomics, network pharmacology strategies to explore
terpenoid content and anti-TMV activity in NtSPS1 knockout Nicotiana tabacum. Sci Rep 15, 14581 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98745-y
The content of terpenoids in tobacco can alter its resistance to TMV. NtSPS1, a pivotal structural gene in tobacco, is capable to regulate the terpenoid content. In this study, we investigated the effect of NtSPS1 knockout in HD on the content of terpenoids and the anti-TMV activity of this mutant using gene editing, widely targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. 48 terpenoids (six up-regulated and five down-regulated) in NtSPS1 knockout tobacco compared with WT leaves. Notably, solanesol was remarkable downregulation which was lowered by fourfold and compounds 1 (log2FC = 18.2), 8 (log2FC = 16.7) were significant upregulation between the mutants and wild-type line leaves. The 46 terpenoid’s target network encompassed 150 nodes, 509 edges and their underlying mechanisms in the therapeutic management of TMV are discussed. Furthermore, the network pharmacology and molecular docking revealed that compounds 16, 18, 23, 27, and 36 exhibited significant affinity in their respective interactions. Ultimately, five compounds were assayed for their anti-TMV effects, noteworthily, compounds 36 showed potential anti-TMV activity. Above all, we adopted a multifaceted approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of the terpenoid content and anti-TMV properties in NtSPS1 knockout HD. It enlightens the therapeutic potential of NtSPS1 knockout tobacco and it is helpful to find undescribed anti-TMV activity inhibitors, as well as searching for new anti-TMV candidates from the mutants.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-98745-y
Fornasiero, A., Feng, T., Al-Bader, N. et al. (2025): Oryza genome evolution through a tetraploid lens. Nat Genet |
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02183-5
Oryza is a remarkable genus comprising 27 species and 11 genome types, with ~3.4-fold genome size variation, that possesses a virtually untapped reservoir of genes that can be used for crop improvement and neodomestication. Here we present 11 chromosome-level assemblies (nine tetraploid, two diploid) in the context of ~15 million years of evolution and show that the core Oryza (sub)genome is only ~200 Mb and largely syntenic, whereas the remaining nuclear fractions (~80–600 Mb) are intermingled, plastic and rapidly evolving. For the halophyte Oryza coarctata, we found that despite detection of gene fractionation in the subgenomes, homoeologous genes were expressed at higher levels in one subgenome over the other in a mosaic form, demonstrating subgenome equivalence. The integration of these 11 new reference genomes with previously published genome datasets provides a nearly complete view of the consequences of evolution for genome diversification across the genus.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02183-5
Yarra, R., Krysan, P.J. (2025): Generation of transgene-free genome-edited carrot plants using CRISPR/Cas9-RNP
complexes. Plant Cell Rep 44, 107 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-025-03499-6
Key Message We report a process by which transgene-free, gene-edited carrot plants can be efficiently produced by introducing Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes into protoplasts and regenerating carrot plants from those protoplasts.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00299-025-03499-6
Van den Broeck S., Ngapout Y., Panis B., Vanderschuren H. (2025): An Agrobacterium-mediated base editing approach
generates transgene-free edited banana. New Phytologist | https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70044
Genome editing for the development of improved varieties is supported by the possibility of segregating out the editor T-DNA cassette after genome editing in many crop species. Removal of the T-DNA cassette prevents potential continuous editing activity in the transformed plant and furthermore facilitates regulatory approval. While transgene outcrossing of exogenous sequences is possible for many crops, this is not the case for vegetatively propagated and sterile crops, such as Cavendish bananas. Therefore, gene editing techniques leading to transgene-free edited plants are essential to untap the potential of genome editing for those crops. Here, we present a method for transgene-free gene editing in sterile banana (Musa spp.) through a co-editing strategy.
A novel Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transgene-free gene editing approach combining embryogenesis and chlorsulfuron selection was established in sterile banana and validated through whole genome sequencing.
Editing of the acetolactate synthase (MaALS) genes in banana using a plant base editor allows effective selection of edited plants. Moreover, transgene-free plantlets were regenerated with mutations at two target sites, indicating that the strategy can be used to target multiple genomic sites.
The presented method allows for efficient transgene-free gene editing and represents the first report of a co-editing strategy in sterile crop species.
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.70044
Wu Y., Chen Z., Wang C., Xu Y., er al. (2025): Efficient breeding of high oleic rice cultivar by editing OsFAD2-1 via
CRISPR/Cas9. Journal of Integrative Agriculture | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jia.2025.04.037
CRISPR-editing OsFAD2-1 boosts oleic acid and stabilizes rice bran oil. Edited lines maintain key agronomic traits of breeding-ready germplasm. Gene editing accelerates high-oleic breeding in Jiangsu japonica rice.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095311925001224
Mu H, Liu Y, Chi Y, Wang F, Meng S, Zhang Y, Wang X and Zhao D (2025): Systematic optimization of prime editing for
enhanced efficiency and versatility in genome engineering across diverse cell types. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 13:1589034.| https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2025.1589034
Prime editing offers remarkable versatility in genome editing, but its efficiency remains a major bottleneck. While continuous optimization of the prime editing enzymes and guide RNAs (pegRNAs) has improved editing outcomes, the method of delivery also plays a crucial role in overall performance. To maximize prime editing efficiency, we implemented a series of systematic optimizations, achieving up to 80% editing efficiency across multiple loci and cell lines. Beyond integrating the latest advancements in prime editing, our approach combined stable genomic integration of prime editors via the piggyBac transposon system, selection of integrated single clones, the use of an enhanced promoter, and lentiviral delivery of pegRNAs, ensuring robust, ubiquitous, and sustained expression of both prime editors and pegRNAs. To further assess its efficacy in challenging cell types, we validated our optimized system in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in both primed and naïve states, achieving substantial editing efficiencies of up to 50%. Collectively, our optimized prime editing strategy provides a highly efficient and versatile framework for genome engineering in vitro, serving as a roadmap for refining prime editing technologies and expanding their applications in genetic research and therapeutic development.
Huang J., Ding K., Chen J., Fan J. et al. (2025): Comparison of CRISPR-Cas9, CRISPR-Cas12f1, and CRISPR-Cas3 in
eradicating resistance genes KPC-2 and IMP-4. Microbiol Spectr 0:e02572-24 | https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.02572
Bacterial plasmid encoding antibiotic resistance could be eradicated by various CRISPR systems, such as CRISPR-Cas9, Cas12f1, and Cas3. However, the efficacy of these gene editing tools against bacterial resistance has not been systematically assessed and compared. This study eliminates carbapenem resistance genes KPC-2 and IMP-4 via CRISPR-Cas9, Cas12f1, and Cas3 systems, respectively. The eradication efficiency of the three CRISPR systems was evaluated. First, the target sites for the three CRISPR systems were designed within the regions 542–576 bp of the KPC-2 gene and 213–248 bp of the IMP-4 gene, respectively. The recombinant CRISPR plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli carrying KPC-2 or IMP-4-encoding plasmid. Colony PCR of transformants showed that KPC-2 and IMP-4 were eradicated by the three different CRISPR systems, and the elimination efficacy was both 100.00%. The drug sensitivity test results showed that the resistant E. coli strain was resensitized to ampicillin. In addition, the three CRISPR plasmids could block the horizontal transfer of drug-resistant plasmids, with a blocking rate as high as 99%. Importantly, a qPCR assay was performed to analyze the copy number changes of drug-resistant plasmids in E. coli cells. The results indicated that CRISPR-Cas3 showed higher eradication efficiency than CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas12f1 systems.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/spectrum.02572-24?af=R
Ma, B.; Li, Y.; Wang, T.; Li, D.; Jia, S. (2025): Advances in CRISPR/Cas9-Based Gene Editing in Filamentous Fungi.
J. Fungi 2025, 11, 350. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11050350
As an important class of microorganisms, filamentous fungi have crucial roles in protein secretion, secondary metabolite production and environmental pollution control. However, characteristics such as apical growth, heterokaryon, low homologous recombination (HR) efficiency and the scarcity of genetic markers mean that the application of traditional gene editing technology in filamentous fungi faces great challenges. The introduction of the RNA-mediated CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRlSPR-associated protein) system in filamentous fungi in recent years has revolutionized gene editing in filamentous fungi. In addition, the continuously expressed CRISPR system has significantly improved the editing efficiency, while the optimized sgRNA design and reduced cas9 concentration have effectively reduced the off-target effect, further enhancing the safety and reliability of the technology. In this review, we systematically analyze the molecular mechanism and regulatory factors of CRISPR/Cas9, focus on the optimization of its expression system and the improvement of the transformation efficiency in filamentous fungi, and reveal the core regulatory roles of HR and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathways in gene editing. Based on the analysis of various filamentous fungi applications, this review reveals the outstanding advantages of CRISPR/Cas9 in the enhancement of protein secretion, addresses the reconstruction of secondary metabolic pathways and pollutant degradation in the past decade, and provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the optimization of the technology and engineering applications.
https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/5/350
Dias D.F., Hanna R., Sachnik J., XuY., Gilbert J., Busch W., Victor D.G. (2025): Removing atmospheric CO2 through mass scaleup
of crops with enhanced root systems, Environ. Res. Lett. 20, 054004 I DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/adc31b
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that societies may need to remove 5–16 GtCO2 from the atmosphere annually to reach global net-zero CO2 emissions within this century. Yet there has been little analysis of how quickly carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies could scale to meet this expected need. We develop a new integrated modeling approach for assessing scalability that combines insights from the history of analogous technological revolutions with information about the efficacy and specific constraints of CDR strategies. We illustrate our approach with genetically enhanced crops that grow larger roots and, in turn, increase soil carbon. Unlike many CDR technologies whose deployment will be slowed by the need for novel and costly infrastructures, history suggests that crop innovations can scale rapidly in countries that admit them. Within 13 years of first deployment, diffusion of enhanced crops could peak and remove 0.9–1.2 GtCO2 yr–1—about 7 times larger than all CO2 offsets supplied today to the global voluntary offsets market. Upscaling depends on policy and politics, as they affect the total land area on which carbon-absorbing crops are allowed. Early scaling could allow crop engineering to play an outsized role in a portfolio of CDR strategies that, overall, scales to IPCC-like levels of carbon removal, even though carbon storage in soils is less permanent than geological storage.
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adc31b
Sensitive detection of gene transfer in a microbial community. Nat Biotechnol (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-025-02639-3
Gene transfer enables bacteria to adapt to their environment. To sensitively detect gene transfer, we created a synthetic biology tool that introduces an identifiable barcode into RNA when microbes exchange DNA. When applied in a wastewater community, high-throughput sequencing revealed which microbes in the community participated in gene transfer.