b'Three Reasons CRISPR Wont WorkFLORENT CHANG-PI-HINWERE AT Apoint we need to3. CRISPR protein can entailVICE PRESIDENT OF R&D LIFE SCIENCE, figure out the challenges or CRISPRhigh licensing costsMERIDIAN BIOSCIENCEwont work in the real world. Cas9, while it made many head- florent.chang-pi-hin@meridianlifescience.comNext to the obvious regulatorylines, is associated with a verymeridianbioscience.com/lifescienceand licensing hurdles, these chal- expensive license. We needed to lenges include technical obstacles. find something with high efficacy but a more affordable cost struc-1. Transgenes are ineffectiveture, which eventually brought us and cause regulation issues to the MAD7 protein.Disrupting technologies Weve been working on a CRISPRWhile there was less technical workflow for 4 years, under theknow-how for this protein, suchfor AgBio Testingacronym TiGER. One of the biggestas guide-design rules, and it is not hurdles we worked through wascommercially available, we tack-finding a way to obtain a homog- led this by developing our ownWEVE ALL BEENimpacted by COVID. The unprec-enous, edited plant within a com- prorietery software and produc- edented toll the pandemic took created an immediate mercially attractive timeline.ing high-grade MAD7 in house.necessity for breakthroughs in diagnostics, vaccines, This differs per crop, but in allThanks to this, we have been abletelemedicine, working from home and many other cases meant stepping away fromto obtain very high editing effien- aspects in our lives. The world had to figure out ways the use of transgenes. Two greatcies and have managed preciseto quickly test and isolate to prevent further spread of bonuses here are that our methodgene editing, while using a proteinthe virus. Meridian Bioscience has been instrumental is more controllable and efficient,that is commercially attractive forin developing and supplying new technologies during and without transgenes it can beour clients.the pandemic to make diagnosis better with increased applied in a wider range of crops.sensitivity and flexibility, but also faster time to market. Next Steps One major lesson we learned from testing humans? 2. Regeneration is difficultStill, strides need to be made toOur technologies can be directly applied to testing Whatever editing approach youharnass CRISPRs full potential. Wepathogens in crops, increase productivity and advance work with, it goes hand in handstill need to continue advancing thethe field of agriculture and reduce diseases that might with the challenge of regeneratingscience behind CRISPR technolo- hinder yield. During our COVID journey, we learnt to edited cells into a plant.gies and need to work diligently tocreate chemistries to detect viruses and bacteria down Single-cell regeneration meansinform consumers and politiciansto one copy of DNA based on the sample type. We after editing, individual protoplastsabout what gene editing is.have refocused that expertise to develop solutions are regenerated into a whole plant.From a technical perspective,specifically designed for testing plants.The benefit of this is no additionalwe need to spend time workingBut how does this technology apply to agriculture? measures have to be taken to gua- with more crops and genes, andMolecular assays are used for plant and seed testing, rantuee genetic stability. In othertarget even more complex traits.GMO detection, pathogen detection, crop improve-words, we can yield a transgene- I mentioned regulatory hurdlesments and more. When it comes to assay develop-free, genetically homogenous plantas a challenge to using CRISPR,ment, whether its for human or agricultural use, the in one generation. and if we dont explain sciencetechnologies are the same. to the public, it could becomeThats why were here to help AgBio companies get insurmountable. We cant let geneup to speed with testing just like the human diagnos-editing go down the same publictic world needed to the last two years. Our solution is perception route that GMOs did. unique and simple: bring the testing to the field! While CRISPR could become a crucialthe methodology is different, the technology is the tool for our food systems. Letssame. We are applying our know-how and expertise to make sure it becomes one. other industries facing the same challenges as human diagnostics. Agricultural testing is critical for our food supply, especially with population increase and scarcity in resources. We have developed a solution to elimi-LOTTE WESTERHOF nate bottlenecks in testing crops by creating specific R&D OPERATIONS MANAGER inhibitor-tolerant master mixes for plant testing.www.hrb.bio As our growth and R&D continues, were excited to lottie.westerhof@hudsonriverbio.com share more about ourselves. Stay tuned, because this certainly wont be the last time you hear our name.30/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2022'