Sunday Evening News 454 - Week 50 - 2025
Weekly report on genetic engineering, genome editing, biotechnology and legal regulation.
November 2025-12-08 - 2025-12-147
„Optimismus ist der Glaube, der zum Erfolg führt. Ohne Hoffnung und Zuversicht kann nichts erreicht werden.“
Helen Keller (amerikanische Schriftstellerin, 27.06.1888-01.06.1968)
“Optimism is the belief that leads to success. Without hope and confidence, nothing can be achieved.”
Helen Keller (American writer, June 27, 1888–June 1, 1968)
Meetings – Conferences / Treffen - Veranstaltungen
EU Agri-Food Days 2025 Securing Europe's Food and Agriculture
3rd edition of the EU Agri-Food Days on 15 - 17 December 2025 in Brussels.
https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/eu-agri-food-days_en#programme (rather short)
Kulmbacher-Stadtgespraeche „Die Genschere und wie sie die Produktion von Lebensmitteln beeinflusst“
20. Januar 2026, 18:00 Uhr:
https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/kulmbacher-stadtgespraeche
BVL Expert Forum: Modern Molecular Methods in Biotechnology - Perspectives for Research and Applications
Berlin; 24-25 February 2026
(lunch to lunch)
Hotel Estrel Congress Center, Sonnenallee 225, 12057 Berlin
Registration is open via: https://www.bvl-events.de/mmmb2026/
Press Releases - Media / Presse- und Medienberichte
Kugelmann Y.: Pionier für die Freiheit der Forschung
Der Schweizer MolekularbiologeCharles Weissmann ist in der Nacht auf Freitag im Alter von 94 Jahren verstorben –
seine Forschung prägt die Wissenschaft bis heute.
https://www.tachles.ch/artikel/news/pionier-fuer-die-freiheit-der-forschung
Knoch A.: „Der Kompromiss ist katastrophal“: Bauernverband warnt
https://www.schwaebische.de/wirtschaft/der-kompromiss-ist-katastrophal-bauernverband-warnt-4184365
SMC: EU-Trilog zur Grünen Gentechnik – Stimmen aus der Forschung
Regnault Roger C.:: NGTs : Science innovates, the EU quibbles
https://www.europeanscientist.com/en/features/ngts-science-innovates-the-eu-quibbles/
There is a European agreement to deregulate new GMOs. But what does it mean?
https://www.lifegate.com/european-agreement-deregulation-gmo
Hogan S.: Academies welcome EU deal on genetically modified crops
USDA: Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States - Recent Trends in GE Adoption
Only some selected press releases or media reports are listed here. The daily up-date of the press releases and
media reports are ►here: December week 50
Publications – Publikationen
FAO 2025: FAO at 80 – The pursuit of better food for all.
https://doi.org/10.4060/cd7132en
A new history of FAO explores 80 years of food and agriculture and the work of the Organization to continue to shape agrifood systems in a changing world. Through words and photographs, FAO at 80: the pursuit of better food for all chronicles the Organization's milestones over the course of its mandate, seen against the backdrop of world events and the evolution of food and agriculture more generally. Four sections reflect the Organization’s expanding scope and impact: More (1945–1965), detailing the expansion of agricultural production in the aftermath of WWII; Deeper (1965–1985), looking at the emergence of environmental concerns and more tailored approaches; Broader (1985–2005), characterized by more global and holistic perspectives; and Better (2005–2025), emphasizing innovation and technology as crucial drivers of better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. From the pioneering of the World Census of Agriculture dating back to 1950, through the founding of the Codex Alimentarius together with the World Health Organization in 1963, to breakthroughs such as the eradication of rinderpest in 2011, and the profound transformation of agrifood systems guided by the four betters, much has been done. There remains much to do and FAO is ready to keep delivering.
https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cd7132en
Pardey P.G., Chan-Kang C., Stads G.-J., Chai Y. et al. (2025):Food will be more affordable — if we double funds for agriculture
research now
A global drop in public and private investment in agricultural science in the past four decades is partly to blame for high food prices, an analysis reveals.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03970-0
Boris Fehse, Hannah Schickl, AG Gentechnologiebericht (Hrsg./Ed.): Im Fokus: Forschungshemmnisse und -chancen in
Deutschland. Eine aktuelle Bestandsaufnahme der Arbeitsgruppe Gentechnologiebericht
In Focus: Obstacles and opportunities for research in Germany. A current stocktaking of the Working Group GeneTechnology Report
Bartsch D., Metje-Sprink J.Priesnitz K.U.,Leggewie G. (2026): Neue genomische Techniken in der Molekularen Ökologie.
Biol. Unserer Zeit 1, 56 | https://doi.org/10.11576/biuz-8620
Limbalkar, O.M., Srivastava, P., Reddy, K.R. et al. (2025): Genome editing and its impact on crop improvement: current
approaches and future prospects. Discov. Plants 2, 358 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-025-00410-1
The techniques of genome editing have evolved for ages and have been divided into types of programmable site-directed nucleases (SDNs) like Mega-Nucleases, Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator like Effector Nuclease (TALENs), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR). All these nucleases revolutionized genome editing in the era of transgenic and mutation breeding. CRISPR is the dominant tool due to its precision and high-throughput capability for targeted gene modification through double-strand breaks in the host genome. This powerful and versatile tool allows precise, sequence-specific modifications in plant genomes, offering unprecedented opportunities for improving crop traits. The continuous evolution of sequence-specific genome editing has brought a significant breakthrough in agricultural research. The CRISPR-Cas system has evolved continuously to minimize off-target effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of SDNs and their progressive refinement from first-generation systems (ZFNs and TALENs) to the current CRISPR-based platforms. We discussed the underlying molecular mechanisms of each SDN class, their efficiency, specificity, and the repair pathways—non-homologous end joining and homology-directed repair—that govern the editing outcomes. The collective progress in these SDN-based technologies has transformed plant breeding from a time-consuming, random process into a precise, knowledge-driven discipline. By summarizing these advances and their successful implementation across major crop species, this review underscores the immense potential of genome editing as a cornerstone for next-generation sustainable agriculture.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44372-025-00410-1
Möhring, N., Ba, M.N., Braga, A.R.C. et al. (2025): Expected effects of a global transformation of agricultural pest
management. Nat Commun 16, 10901 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66982-4
Ambitious policy goals to reduce pesticide use and risks have been established at global and regional levels. Here, we provide an assessment of the expected effects of such a global transformation of agricultural pest management. We develop a holistic assessment framework covering economic, human health, food security, social, and environmental effects and conduct a global survey with 517 experts from key disciplines and major agricultural production regions. This is an important step to identify leverage points for advancing pesticide policies and focusing future research efforts. Our results demonstrate that transforming agricultural pest management could be an important nexus for addressing multiple sustainability challenges. We find the highest expected benefits for the environmental and human health domains and the lowest for the economic and food safety domains. For regions with low income and low pesticide use, we find higher benefits and less trade-offs of the transformation than for intensive production systems in Europe and North America. Finally, a transformation is not free of costs and our results indicate that it will require a combination of new and locally adapted pest management solutions, research and support for their implementation on the ground, and an enabling policy environment.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-66982-4
Vickers C.E., Zerbe P. (2025): Harnessing plant agriculture to mitigate climate change: A framework to evaluate synthetic
biology (and other) interventions . Plant Physiology 199, kiaf410 | https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiaf410
Plant agriculture contributes substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it also offers powerful opportunities for climate change mitigation. Here, we focus on how to identify and prioritize synthetic biology strategies to reduce emissions and sequester carbon through plant-based interventions. Effective solutions must process large volumes of carbon, be scalable, yield a positive life-cycle balance, and be economically viable, technically feasible, and deployable in field conditions without undue damage to what remains of nature on Earth. Using Fermi estimation, we quantify the per-hectare, annual, and 100-year CO2-equivalent (CO2e) drawdown potential of emerging synthetic biology strategies—including improved CO2 fixation, reduced yield losses, root-deposited biopolymers, engineered nitrogen fixation, and methane reduction—and benchmark them against nonengineered approaches such as biochar, forestation, and fast-growing biomass crops. We used a 100-year horizon to allow for both development and implementation of high-risk but high-impact synthetic biology strategies. We integrate factors such as per-hectare effectiveness, year-on-year sequestration, deployment area, and storage durability. We demonstrate that while per-hectare impacts vary by orders of magnitude (<1 to >30 t CO2e/ha/year), deployment scale is the dominant factor determining total impact. Targeted synthetic biology strategies implemented across existing agricultural systems could deliver ∼120 Gt CO2e drawdown over a century and contribute to an additional ∼140 Gt CO2e drawdown. Decreasing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use and biochar implementation have the biggest CO2e impact potential. Early-stage quantitative evaluation is critical to guide R&D toward climate-relevant solutions and deliver a prioritized portfolio of near- and long-term strategies. A transdisciplinary approach—linking synthetic biology, agronomy, engineering, and social systems—is essential to realize impact. This work offers a framework for evaluating plant agriculture-based climate mitigation strategies and highlights a key role for synthetic biology in mitigation pathways. Regular re-evaluation of strategies should be performed to ensure that they are meaningful for climate change mitigation as other factors evolve.
https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/199/3/kiaf410/8266580
Li, G., Schmidt, R.H., Zhao, Y. et al. (2025): Powerful one-dimensional scan to detect heterotic quantitative trait loci.
Nat Commun 16, 9697 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65563-9
To meet the growing global demand for food, increasing yields through heterosis in agriculture is crucial. A deep understanding of the genetic basis of heterosis has led to the development of a quantitative genetic framework that incorporates both dominance and epistatic effects. However, incorporating all pairwise epistatic interactions is computationally challenging due to the large sequencing depth and population sizes needed to uncover the genes behind complex traits. In this study, we develop hQTL-ODS, a one-dimensional scanning method that directly assesses the net contribution of each quantitative trait locus to heterosis. Simulations show that hQTL-ODS reduces computational time while offering higher power and lower false-positive rate. We apply this method to a population of 5243 wheat hybrids with whole-genome sequenced profile, revealing key epistatic hubs that play a critical role in determining heterosis.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65563-9
Yoosefzadeh-Najafabadi M. (2025): Merging traditional practices and modern technology through computational plant
breeding. Plant Physiology 199 (1), kiaf355 | https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiaf355
Plant breeding has transitioned from its ancient agrarian roots to a modern, sophisticated discipline blending advanced genetic and computational techniques. Initially led by intuition and basic selection, the field was revolutionized in the 19th century by Gregor Mendel's principles. Today, plant breeding utilizes multiomics approaches and data science techniques to navigate vast amounts of data and deepen our understanding of the biological mechanisms behind specific traits. To tackle the challenges of big data, the discipline now incorporates computational biology, data science, and bioinformatics, which have become integral to routine plant breeding practices. As plant breeders have explored these promising fields, many have adopted titles such as “plant breeder and computational biologist” or “plant breeder and bioinformatician.” However, these titles may lead to misconceptions about expertise, as breeders often apply a blend of these skills without specializing fully in each domain. Recognizing this, it is crucial to establish a clear identity for the evolving skill set of modern plant breeders. In this review, I explore the historical evolution of plant breeding, highlighting the transformative role of computational biology. Furthermore, I address the potential pitfalls of adding titles to plant breeding and propose the adoption of the term “computational plant breeding.” This term more accurately reflects the integrated application of computational tools and biological insights in plant breeding. By redefining this emerging field, we can better appreciate its unique contributions and prepare for future advancements in agricultural science.
Geurts, R., Radutoiu, S.(2025): Self-fertilizing crops. EMBO Rep 26, 5644–5648 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-025-00618-y
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44319-025-00618-y
Harbinson J., & Craig R Taylor C.R. (2025):Food for thought - Perspectives on the current state of Vertical Farming.
EMBO reports 26, 3982 – 3990 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-025-00518-1
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44319-025-00518-1
Laganaro M, Pieger A-M, Muñoz-González A, Noriega Fernández E, Ververis E, Germini A, Fernández Dumont A (2025): Enhancing
allergenicity risk assessment for novel foods in the EU: insights from the updated EFSA guidance - requirements, knowledge gaps and research needs. Front. Toxicol. 7:1701391. | doi: 10.3389/ftox.2025.1701391
With growing interest in new protein sources, driven by market trends and European Union (EU) food policy priorities, novel proteins are entering the market. These novel foods (NFs) might have the potential of introducing new allergens into the diet. In the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is tasked with assessing the safety of NFs and has recently updated its scientific guidance to reflect advancements in food science and built-up experience in NF risk assessment (RA). EFSA’s allergenicity RA strategy follows a weight-of-evidence approach. Data requirements depend on whether the NF is produced from or with materials containing protein, derived from known allergenic foods (whether subject to mandatory labelling or not), or has unknown allergenic potential. For the latter, a tiered approach focused on assessing the cross-allergenicity potential is applied to single proteins, protein mixtures and whole foods. However, allergenicity RA continues to face challenges including the availability of reference standard materials and the lack of agreement on the interpretation of in silico and in vitro results, as well as lack of validated and internationally recognized methods meeting regulatory requirements. These limitations underscore the need for further research to deliver robust and fit-for-purpose RA tools to support safe food systems. This review highlights key aspects of the allergenicity RA approach presented in the updated EFSA NF scientific guidance and provides a critical overview of existing uncertainties and emerging approaches aiming at encouraging international cooperation and research to further enhance allergenicity RA.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2025.1701391/full
Muhammed, Y.M.R.;Minervini, F.; Cavoski, I. (2025): From Ancient Fermentations to Modern Biotechnology: Historical
Evolution,Microbial Mechanisms, and the Role of Natural and Commercial Starter Cultures in Shaping Organic and Sustainable Food Systems. Foods 2025, 14, 4240. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14244240
From the first spontaneous fermentations of early civilizations to the precision of modern biotechnology, natural starter cultures have remained at the heart of fermented food and beverage production. Composed of complex microbial communities of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi, these starters transform raw materials into products with distinctive sensory qualities, extended shelf life, and enhanced nutritional value. Their high microbial diversity underpins both their functional resilience and their cultural significance, yet also introduces variability and safety challenges. This review traces the historical development of natural starters, surveys their global applications across cereals, legumes, dairy, vegetables, beverages, seafood, and meats, and contrasts them with commercial starter cultures designed for consistency, scalability, and safety. Within the context of organic food production, natural starters offer opportunities to align fermentation with principles of sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and minimal processing, but regulatory frameworks—currently focused largely on yeasts—pose both challenges and opportunities for broader certification. Emerging innovations, including omics-driven strain selection, synthetic biology, valorization of agro-industrial byproducts, and automation, offer new pathways to improve safety, stability, and functionality without eroding the authenticity of natural starter cultures. By bridging traditional artisanal knowledge with advanced science and sustainable practices, natural starters can play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of organic and eco-conscious fermented products.
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/24/4240
EFSA
FEZ Panel (2025): Safety evaluation of the food enzyme cellulase from the genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain AR-715.
EFSA Journal, 23(12), e9776. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9776
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9776
GMO Panel (2025): Assessment of genetically modified maize MON 87460 for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC)
No 1829/2003 (dossier GMFF-2023-21251). EFSA Journal, 23(12), e9744. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9744
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9744
Glandorf B, Christensen H, Cocconcelli PS, Aguilera J, Anguita M, et al.(2025): Technical assistance on existing processes to remove
recombinant DNA from fermentation products produced with genetically modified microorganisms. EFSA supporting publication 2025: 22(12):EN-9739. 35 pp. doi:10.2903/sp.efsa.2025.EN-9739
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/sp.efsa.2025.EN-9739