Fenotyping and obtention of genetically modified plants: A Cisgenic approach to control the HLB

• Grant number: 24/13403-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Alves de Souza
• Grantee: Daniela Feltrim
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/07045-3 - Biotechnological and genomic strategies for quality, productivity and sustainable management of citrus, coffee and sugar cane in the State of São Paulo, AP.NPOP

Abstract

Previous studies of our research group developed genetically modified plants (GM) of commercial varieties of Sweet Oranges which presented high tolerance to HLB (FAPESP 2013/0957-0; INCT - Citros Proc. CNPQ 465440/2014-2 e FAPESP 2014/50880-0; FAPESP 2016/22133-0 e 2019/01901-8). The selected genes for genetic transformation came from Citrus reticulata and Poncirus trifoliata (De Souza et al. 2007, Gmitter et al., 2012; Boava et al. 2015; Granato et al., 2019). Once these species are sexually compatible with oranges, that is, it is possible to genetically cross naturally in the field, the process of gene delivery by genetic engineering accelerates the process that can occur naturally in the field, but the results could take years to be evaluated and the progeny selected. This process is called "Cisgeny" that is, the plant passes through a process that involves DNA recombinant technology, but with genes of species that can cross naturally. Part of this proposal is part of a current project developed in partnership with Citrosuco and has an objective  to characterize and select transgenic varieties developed by Allelix with potential resistance to HLB