About this Research Topic

Background

The accelerating impacts of climate change present a critical bottleneck in global agriculture, necessitating swift and effective translational approaches to fortify crops against impending challenges. Conventional breeding methods fall short in providing the agility required for rapid adaptation. There is a pressing need to translate cutting-edge biotechnological advancements into actionable solutions, ensuring the timely development of climate-resilient crops.

This research undertakes a translational genomics approach, employing state-of-the-art genome editing techniques to swiftly augment crop resilience against climate change. Harnessing the precision of CRISPR-Cas systems and other advanced editing tools, the objective is to selectively enhance key genes associated with stress response and environmental adaptability. The translational focus involves seamlessly integrating these biotechnological breakthroughs into scalable, field-applicable solutions, ensuring the swift deployment of climate-resilient crops.

At the forefront of translational genomics, CRISPR-Cas systems offer unparalleled precision and efficiency, providing a transformative platform for targeted genetic modifications. Recent advances in base editing and prime editing further streamline the translational pathway, allowing for meticulous trait adjustments. Bioinformatics tools play a pivotal role in the rapid identification of stress-related genes, facilitating the seamless translation of genomic insights into actionable edits. Optimized delivery protocols, informed by translational research, enhance the efficiency of gene modifications, ensuring real-world applicability. The research emphasizes not only laboratory innovations but also their seamless translation into diverse agricultural landscapes. Collaborative efforts and comprehensive field trials form integral components of this translational endeavor, aiming to expedite the deployment of climate-resilient crops, thereby bridging the gap between biotechnological advancements and on-the-ground agricultural sustainability.

The Research Topic aims to comprehensively explore innovative genome editing strategies to enhance crop resilience in the context of climate change. We invite contributions spanning various themes, including the identification of key stress-related genes, advanced genome editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas, base editing), optimization of editing protocols, and the translational application of edited crops in real-world agricultural settings. Additionally, we encourage manuscripts addressing the environmental and regulatory implications of genome-edited crops and collaborative efforts in data sharing within the scientific community.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, methods, and perspectives that cover the following (but are not limited to) topics:

•Identification and characterization of genes linked to stress response and environmental adaptation in major crop species
•Exploration and comparison of genome editing tools, emphasizing CRISPR-Cas systems and emerging technologies like base editing
•Refining editing protocols for precision and efficiency, coupled with rigorous validation under simulated climate change conditions
•Assessment of ecological impacts and regulatory considerations tied to the deployment of genome-edited crops
•Conducting field trials and real-world applications to assess the performance and adaptability of edited crops in diverse agricultural environments

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Genome Editing; Crop Resilience; Climate Change; Editing Strategies; Augmenting Crop Adaptation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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