Virus-Based CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in Plants

CRISPR/Cas9 is a versatile tool for plant gene function studies and crop improvement. However, traditional CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing requires plant tissue culture that is both time-consuming and genotype-dependent. Ma et al. recently reported a novel virus-based method for delivering CRISPR/Cas9 into plant cells, and this should further expand the application of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. CRISPR/Cas9 is a versatile tool for plant gene function studies and crop improvement. However, traditional CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing requires plant tissue culture that is both time-consuming and genotype-dependent. Ma et al. recently reported a novel virus-based method for delivering CRISPR/Cas9 into plant cells, and this should further expand the application of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing.