A modified CRISPR tool called dCas9  has been developed by Indian scientists to help plants respond smartly to heat and pathogen stress.

About Modified CRISPR Tool

• Traditional CRISPR works like scissors to cut DNA permanently
• This version uses modified CRISPR called dCas9, which does not cut DNA. Instead, it acts like a gene switch.
• This switch stays off until the plant experiences stress (like heat or disease), making the system energy-efficient and smart.

How does it work?

• Scientists borrowed a small part of a tomato protein (called TM domain from NACMTF3), which keeps the gene switched off under normal conditions.
• Under stress (e.g., high temperature or disease), this TM domain releases the switch, allowing it to move into the nucleus and activate defense genes.

What genes are activated?

• During disease attacks (like bacterial infection by Pseudomonas syringae):
  • Defense genes CBP60g and SARD1 are turned on.
• During heat stress:
  • Heat-tolerance genes NAC2 and HSFA6b are turned on.
• This timely activation helps the plant survive better under stress.

Significance of the Tool

• Precision Response to Stress: Activates defense and heat-resistance genes only when needed, ensuring timely protection against threats like heatwaves and bacterial attacks.
• Energy Efficiency: Conserves plant energy by avoiding constant gene activation—genes switch on only under stress, reducing metabolic load.
• Supports Smart Agriculture: It represents a significant step toward smart and sustainable agriculture in the face of global warming. 
  • The scientists believe the tool can also be applied to other crops such as eggplants and chilies, paving the way for smart agriculture.

DOWNLOAD PDF