Abstract
Intragenic modification is a new approach to genetic engineering that improves the agronomic performance and nutritional characteristics of crops without incorporating foreign DNA into their genomes. It transforms plants with all-native and marker-free transfer DNAs carrying gene expression or silencing cassettes. Examples of early applications include enhanced black spot bruise tolerance, reduced cold-induced starch degradation, lowered processing-induced acrylamide formation, extended shelf life, reduced lignin content, and increased antioxidant power. The availability of an increasingly comprehensive toolbox facilitates the activation of dormant traits, while also enabling the efficient elimination of lingering toxins, allergens, and anti-nutritional compounds. By excluding selectable marker genes and other foreign genetic elements, the intragenic approach may not only limit biosafety risks but also expedite the governmental deregulation process while alleviating public concerns regarding engineered crops.
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Rommens, C.M. (2010). Precise Breeding Through All-Native DNA Transformation. In: Kempken, F., Jung, C. (eds) Genetic Modification of Plants. Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, vol 64. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02391-0_4
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