Sunday Evening News 483/ 2026
Weekly report on genetic engineering, genome editing, biotechnology and legal regulation.
June 2026-07-13 - 2026-07-19 Week 29
Meetings – Conferences / Treffen - Veranstaltungen
EFSA: Scientific Colloquium 29 - Decoding the Microbiome: From Knowledge Gaps to Actionable Regulatory Science
23 November 2026, 09:00 - 18:00 (CET), 24 November 2026, 09:00 - 13:00 (CET)
Brussels, Belgium
Deadline: 14 September 2026 - 12:00 (CEST)
Press Releases - Media / Presse- und Medienberichte
EU-Commission: Biotechnologies: Commission publishes the implementation strategy on plants obtained by new genomic
techniques in plants
Implementation Strategy: For Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their products
European Biotech Act Advances Biotechnology Innovation
https://www.emjreviews.com/innovations/news/european-biotech-act-advances-biotechnology-innovation/
Zaruk D.: As the EU loosens restrictions on agricultural gene editing, it remains years behind the rest of the world on
equally-safe GMO foods
Friends of Earth: Engineering Harm: Why Genetically Engineered Animals Deepen Risks to Public Health and Animal Welfare
https://foe.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GMO_Animal_final_v2_062426.pdf
Aurelia Stiftung legt Beschwerde gegen EU-Gentechnik-Verordnung beim internationalen Compliance-Ausschuss der
Vereinten Nationen ein und fordert Risikoprüfung, Transparenz und öffentliche Beteiligung
https://www.presseportal.ch/de/pm/100067570/100941324
VLOG: Slowakei erwägt Klage gegen EU-Gentechnik-Deregulierung
https://www.ohnegentechnik.org/artikel/slowakei-erwaegt-klage-gegen-eu-gentechnik-deregulierung
Nikolaus K.: NGT1 in Bayern: Warum die Kennzeichnung für Streit sorgt
https://www.wochenblatt-dlv.de/politik/ngt1-bayern-kennzeichnung-fuer-streit-sorgt-585714
Ragaz R.: Neue Züchtungsverfahren – EU legt vor, Schweiz zögert
Only some selected press releases or media reports are listed here. The daily up-date of the press releases and
media reports are ►here: July week 29
Publications – Publikationen
Ortiz-Barrientos, D., Jordan, D. & Cooper, M. (2026). The hidden geometry of breeding constraints. Nat. Plants |
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-026-02332-6
Thousands of years of breeding and agronomic change have pushed genetic change into increasingly narrow corridors. The approach has worked effectively, but gains are slowing and much genetic variance expected from heritability estimates is not readily found. We propose that breeding constraints, the practical demands that make crops useful, force genetic exploration onto curved, lower-dimensional surfaces within the larger landscape of possibility. In crops, these constraints arise jointly from genetic choices and management decisions about fertilizer, sowing density, weed and pest control, irrigation and harvest logistics, which together define the range of environments in which genotypes are routinely grown. These constraints may hide certain classes of gene interactions from breeding programmes, creating an additive appearance where the underlying biology may remain epistatic. Selection moves by additive steps, but on a curved, constrained surface: the speed looks additive, but the long-term path follows the geometry of the constraints. This framework particularly applies to major crop species subjected to intensive directional selection over many generations for stable agricultural requirements, the context where constraint-based filtering of genetic variance is most pronounced. When selection has had less opportunity to impose its effects and gene interactions are weak, this geometric filtering may be less consequential. But when epistatic effects shape fitness, constraints could hide substantial genetic potential behind these boundaries. This Perspective suggests potential escape routes from current plateaus: strategic wide crosses, transgene combinations and targeted edits that access genetic variance currently excluded by constraints
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-026-02332-6
Zoller B., Bénichou A., Gregor T., Gašper Tkačik G. (2026): Zoller et al. 2026. Invariant non-equilibrium dynamics in gene
regulation optimize information flow. PNAS. 123 (28) e2524855123 | https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2524855123
Eukaryotic gene regulation relies on stochastic yet controlled promoter switching, in which genes transition between transcriptionally active and inactive states. Despite the molecular complexity of this process, recent studies have revealed a surprising invariance of the “switching correlation time” (TC)—the characteristic decay time of the autocorrelation function of promoter activity fluctuations—across gene expression levels in multiple genes and organisms. A biophysically plausible explanation for this invariance has so far been lacking. Here, we show that this empirical constraint imposes stringent requirements on minimal yet realistic models of transcriptional regulation. Specifically, reproducing TC–invariance requires regulatory architectures with at least four internal states and nonequilibrium dynamics that break detailed balance. Using Bayesian inference on Drosophila gap gene expression data, we demonstrate that such models i) quantitatively reproduce the observed TC–invariance, ii) remain robust to parameter perturbations, and iii) maximize information transmission from transcription factor concentration to gene expression. Remarkably, the TC-invariant modulation strategy we identify as optimal closely parallels contemporary control-theoretic results on the modulation of stochastic switching systems. Taken together, our results suggest that eukaryotic transcriptional regulation operates in a nonequilibrium regime to balance precision, reaction-rate limitations, and energy dissipation, thereby achieving near-optimal information transmission under fundamental physical constraints.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2524855123
Qiao J.-H., Gao Q., Xian-Bing Wang X.-B. (2026): Virus-induced genome editing: toward crop breeding applications
Trends in Plant Science Vol. 31, No. 7 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.007
CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing has revolutionized precise genome manipulation in plants, yet its practical application is still constrained by the inefficient delivery of editing reagents across different genotypes. Plant viruses are promising vehicles for delivering genome-editing components, bypassing plant transformation and/or tissue culture. Virus-induced genome editing (VIGE) has provided powerful tools for achieving heritable edits in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana. VIGE has now progressed from proof-of-concept to practical applications in agricultural crops. Notably, a recent breakthrough in VIGE in tiller has successfully achieved heritable genome editing in hexaploid wheat. This review outlines the latest advances in VIGE across diverse plant species, highlights its potential for crop improvement, and discusses future research directions.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360138526000221
Muzaffar A., Islam T., Adam M. Guss A.M., Tuskan G.A, Jin-Gui Chen J.-G., Yang X. (2026): Construct design for precise DNA
insertion in plants Trends in Plant Science. 31, No. 7, 887-910 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2026.01.005
Precise insertion of DNA sequences at targeted locations in plant genomes is pivotal for synthetic biology, genetics, and crop improvement. Construct design plays a critical role in achieving precise insertions, yet practical guidance remains limited. This review provides an in-depth overview of construct design principles and targeted DNA insertion (knock-in) strategies in plants. We assess the strengths, limitations, and construct requirements of current knock-in methods for specific applications, including short, large, and multifragment insertions. Additionally, we explore the potential of adopting advanced nonplant technologies to enhance knock-in efficiency and precision in plants. This review provides a valuable resource for facilitating the effective application of knock-in technologies to genetically improve crops with minimal off-target effects.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360138526000208
Hwang J., Han Y.H., Bang I., Seo E.W. et al. (2026): Integrated Tn-seq and MAGE-assisted rapid genome engineering
targeting in Escherichia coli, Trends in Biotechnology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.10.009
Improving microbial strains is essential for the economic feasibility of bio-based chemical production; however, the intricate nature of metabolic networks and gene interactions makes identifying effective genetic engineering targets challenging. We developed iTARGET, an integrated approach combining in situ transposon mutagenesis, biosensor-guided selection, and multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE) to identify novel and synergistic genetic targets that are challenging to predict through rational design. In the first phase, in situ transposon mutagenesis generated genetic diversity within a single batch culture, allowing biosensor-driven enrichment of high-producing mutants. Transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) was then performed to identify critical genomic targets. In the second phase, MAGE enabled the creation of combinatorial knockout (KO) libraries, and high-throughput screening revealed synergistic gene interactions. Applying iTARGET to naringenin (NRN) production enriched high-producing mutants, achieving a population-level titer 1.7-fold higher than that in the control. Next-generation sequencing identified nine unpredictable genetic targets, achieving a 2.3-fold titer increase with single KOs. Further combinatorial KOs revealed synergistic effects, with a double-KO mutant producing a 2.8-fold improvement. By integrating mutagenesis and selection into a single batch, iTARGET accelerates the discovery of challenging genetic targets and enables the exploration of synergistic gene interactions through high-throughput identification of combinatorial KOs, enhancing bio-based chemical production.
Pisz M., Głuchowska A., Yin Z., Pawełkowicz M. (20026): Decoding MicroRNA-Guided Antiviral Defense in Cucurbitaceae:
Regulatory Networks, RNA Silencing Cross-Talk, and Emerging Strategies for Crop Resilience. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(14), 6300; | https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27146300
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are central regulators of gene expression and play pivotal roles in plant antiviral defense. In Cucurbitaceae, a globally important crop family including cucumber, melon, and watermelon, viral pathogens such as CGMMV, CMV, and ZYMV represent major constraints on productivity. However, the regulatory complexity of miRNA-mediated antiviral responses in these species remains incompletely understood. This review provides an integrated overview of recent advances in miRNA-guided antiviral immunity in Cucurbitaceae, highlighting the dynamic reprogramming of small RNA pathways upon viral infection. Conserved miRNA families act as key regulatory hubs, controlling development, hormone signaling, and defense responses, while viral suppressors interfere with RNA silencing machinery, reshaping host regulatory networks. Emerging evidence further reveals multilayered interactions between miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs, including lncRNAs and circRNAs, indicating complex cross-talk that fine-tunes antiviral responses in a species- and virus-specific manner. Importantly, miRNAs exhibit a dual role by contributing both to antiviral defense and to symptom development. Advances in artificial miRNAs and RNA-based technologies underscore their potential for engineering durable virus resistance. Overall, miRNA-centered regulatory networks represent a promising target for next-generation crop protection strategies in Cucurbitaceae.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/14/6300
Huang S. et al. (2026): Genome-edited rice variety with low-cadmium accumulation in the grain, PNAS 123 (25)
e2610609123 |https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.261060912
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal, and rice, as a staple food, is a major source of dietary Cd intake. Therefore, limiting the transfer of Cd from soil to rice grain without compromising grain yield is a critical issue for human health. In this study, through base-editing-mediated mutagenesis screening targeting OsNramp5, a major transporter gene for manganese (Mn) and Cd uptake, we identified a single amino acid substitution at position 441 (Ile to Thr) that significantly reduced Cd accumulation in both shoots and grains without affecting the accumulation of other essential metals. Functional analysis revealed that this point mutation did not alter gene expression, protein abundance, subcellular localization, or Cd and Mn transport activity in yeast. However, we found that OsNramp5 also transports zinc (Zn), and the point mutation increased its selectivity for Zn. It is likely that elevated Zn levels in root cells competitively inhibit Cd release into the xylem, thereby reducing root-to-shoot Cd translocation. A field trial confirmed that the mutated OsNramp5 did not affect grain yield or essential micronutrient concentration but significantly decreased Cd accumulation in grains. Our findings suggest that precise editing of this key residue in OsNramp5 offers an effective strategy to reduce Cd transfer from soil to rice grain without yield penalty.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2610609123
Matsushita S., Nakano M, Chokyuu S., Kurao M. et al. (2026): CRISPR-Cas9 disruption of flavanone 3-hydroxylase produces
a green phenotype and alters flavone metabolites in allotetraploid perilla. Front. Plant Sci. Sec. Plant Biotechnology
Volume 17 - 2026 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1877946
Perilla frutescens var. crispa is a high-value horticultural crop known for its diverse bioactive metabolites, yet the molecular basis underlying its metabolic variation remains poorly understood for targeted metabolic engineering. In this study, we employed CRISPR–Cas9 to disrupt the flavanone 3-hydroxylase gene (F3H), a key branch-point enzyme in the flavonoid pathway. We generated stable, T-DNA-free null-segregant lines that exhibited a visible transition from red to green leaves. Metabolite profiling across multiple independently derived edited lines showed that F3H disruption markedly reduced anthocyanin accumulation and was consistently associated with increased levels of flavone-related metabolites, including an approximately six-fold increase in luteolin content compared to the wild type. Transcriptome analysis revealed changes in the expression patterns of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic genes consistent with the observed metabolic profiles. In addition, rosmarinic acid content was elevated in the edited lines, suggesting that F3H disruption may affect broader phenylpropanoid metabolism. Together, our findings provide functional insights into F3H in perilla and highlight the potential of targeted
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1877946/full
Sansinenea E., Argentel-Martínez L., Peñuelas-Rubio O., Hwang H. et al. (2026): Next-generation insect pest management:
genetic innovations and emerging biocontrol strategies. Front. Plant Sci., Sec. Sustainable and Intelligent Phytoprotection, Volume 17 - 2026 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1868879
Pest insects represent a major challenge to agriculture and global food security. Existing insect control methods such as chemical insecticides are under increasing scrutiny because of their environmental impacts, and once-effective methods are facing reduced acceptance due to insect pests evolving resistance and increasing regulation. This review summarizes recent advances in transgenic approaches to insect pest control over the last five years. Transgenic crops and molecular approaches play an important role in integrated pest management strategies. Integration of gene drive and transgene-generated resistance offers new strategies for targeted pest suppression, while novel platforms for delivery of dsRNA and CRISPR have broadened the range of molecular approaches. We analyze the ethical and ecological considerations, including biosafety concerns related to species interactions and gene flow. In addition, we examine the potential and limitations of RNAi and CRISPR, including regulatory challenges and public perception of genetic engineering. Synthetic biology, precision agriculture and good risk governance are central to genetic pest control strategies. Advances at the interface of biotechnology and natural systems offer a pathway toward more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1868879/full
BUREN, S., PALACIOS, J., AREAL, F.J., TASSINARI, G., RODRIGUEZ CEREZO, E. et al., The potential of genetically modified
microorganisms to reduce nitrogen loads in the EU agricultural sector, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2026, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/8354314, JRC147146
The report evaluates the economic potential and viability of a biological nitrogen‑fixation (BNF) technology based on genetically edited microorganisms for use in European maize production. the report surveys the existing portfolio of nitrogen‑reduction technologies and presents a synthesis of performance data and case‑study evidence on product development. The review covers conventional measures (precision fertiliser placement, nitrification and urease inhibitors, enhanced‑efficiency fertilisers, cover crops and legume‑based rotations) and contrasts them with emerging biological solutions, in particular inoculants based on genetically edited microorganisms that enable biological nitrogen fixation (BNF).
Building on this literature foundation, the analysis integrates (i) a historical nitrogen‑price series and a deterministic break‑even framework, (ii) a Markov‑switching model combined with Monte‑Carlo simulations to estimate the probability that the BNF inoculant is economically viable across a 3 x 3 grid of maize‑price and inoculant‑cost scenarios, and (iii) a partial‑equilibrium CAPRI model that captures production, income, market‑feedback and trade effects.
Results indicate that higher nitrogen market prices and greater societal valuation of a 1 kg N reduction substantially raise the probability of viability, whereas full market feedback can offset farm‑level income gains through price depressions. Nevertheless, the technology consistently yields a net reduction in nitrogen surplus across most EU regions, confirming its mitigation potential.
The combined literature review and quantitative assessment provides a holistic evidence base for EU policymakers to evaluate the trade‑offs between agronomic performance, farmer profitability and environmental benefits when considering the development, regulation and deployment of gene‑edited BNF technologies.
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC147146
Purnhagen, K., Wesseler, J. (2026): Engineered living materials need engineered EU regulation. Nat. Mater. |
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02651-1
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-026-02651-1
Trabosh, N., Smith, J., Hsu, M.YH. et al. (2026): Reversal of protein chemical aging by enzymatic deglycation.
Nat Commun 17, 5926 |https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75141-2
The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in long-lived proteins is a hallmark of mammalian aging and implicated as a driver of metabolic dysfunction. Among these adducts, Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) is particularly abundant in aging tissues, where it modifies proteins and acts as a ligand for the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), thereby perpetuating chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. While endogenous detoxification systems exist for reactive precursors, the stable CML adduct has historically been considered irreversible. Here, we report the development of CMLase - an enzyme engineered through the directed evolution of over 500 million variants to specifically oxidize CML and restore the native lysine residue. We demonstrate that CMLase effectively reverses CML modifications in model proteins in vitro and in human tissue samples from elderly donors, providing proof-of-concept that protein damage previously deemed irreversible is amenable to enzymatic repair. Collectively, our approach establishes a platform for developing enzymes to reverse age-related molecular damage and ultimately repair tissue proteins compromised by aging and disease.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-75141-2
EFSA
GMO Panel (2026): Considerations on the risk assessment of genetically modified plants containing transformation events stacked
by conventional crossing. EFSA Journal, 24(7), e10177. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10177
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10177
FEZ Panel (2026): Safety evaluation of an extension of use for the food enzyme β-fructofuranosidase from the genetically modified
Trichoderma reesei strain AR-996 and amended specifications for its use as a food additive invertase (E1103). EFSA Journal, 24(7), e10180. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10180
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10180
FEZ Panel (2026): Safety evaluation of an extension of use of the food enzyme α-amylase from the genetically modified Aspergillus
niger strain NZYM-MC. EFSA Journal, 24(7), e10214. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10214
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10214
FEZ Panel (2026): Safety evaluation of an extension of use of the food enzyme α-amylase from the genetically modified Bacillus
licheniformis strain NZYM-KE. EFSA Journal, 24(7), e10199. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10199
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10199
FEZ Panel (2026). Safety evaluation of an extension of use of the food enzyme α-amylase from the non-genetically modified Bacillus
amyloliquefaciens strain LMG-S 32676. EFSA Journal, 24(7), e10198. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10198
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10198
FEZ Panel (2026). Safety evaluation of an extension of use of the food enzyme phospholipase A1 from the genetically modified
Aspergillus niger strain NZYM-FP. EFSA Journal, 24(7), e10204. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10204
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10204
FEZ Panel (2026). Safety evaluation of an extension of use of the food enzyme phospholipase A1 from the genetically modified
Aspergillus oryzae strain NZYM-PP. EFSA Journal, 24(7), e10205. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10205
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10205