Scientists at the Institute of Applied Biotechnology utilize gene editing technology to reduce the indigestible sugar content in soybeans by 50%.
This information was reported by Dr. Do Tien Phat from the Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, at the seminar “Biotechnology for Crop Breeding”, organized by the Center for Science and Technology Statistical Information (CESTI) in Ho Chi Minh City on August 8.
According to Dr. Phat, soybeans contain a high level of indigestible sugars (which are not fully digested by humans and certain animals such as pigs and chickens). When these sugars are not digested, they can produce gas, leading to bloating and reduced nutrient absorption.
The research team employed the Crispr/Cas gene editing system to inactivate the functions of two genes, GmGOLS1A and GmGOLS1B, which helps to reduce the sugar content in soybeans. As a result, the indigestible sugar levels in the gene-edited soybeans decreased by 40% to 50% compared to the original variety, while the levels of digestible sugars like glucose tended to increase.
Diagram of the gene transfer process in soybeans by the research team at the Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. (Photo: Research Team).
The research team also applied this technology to tomatoes to increase sugar and amino acid content. The Crispr/Cas gene editing technology creates mutations in the uORF region that disrupt its control over the bZIP gene, thus doubling the amino acid content and significantly increasing the levels of glucose and fructose compared to the original variety.
Dr. Phat stated that using Crispr/Cas gene editing technology, the team created precise mutations based on selections in the genes of interest, thereby controlling physiological, biochemical, and synthesis processes of sugars and amino acids in plants. The team aims to collaborate on research to apply gene editing in crop improvement projects in Vietnam through scientific research initiatives.
According to Dr. Phat, the Crispr/Cas gene editing technology has been widely applied globally to both animal and plant cells since 2013. This technique has an editing efficiency that can reach up to 100%. The gene-edited varieties show no phenotypic or growth characteristic differences compared to those developed through traditional breeding methods. The time required to develop new varieties using gene editing is reduced by half compared to radiation or chemical mutation technologies.
Many countries, including the United States, Canada, India, Australia, and some Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines and Thailand, have approved the use of gene-edited crops similarly to traditional breeding crops. Dr. Phat proposed that in the future, Vietnam should establish specific policies on the application and use of gene-edited products to integrate these products into actual production for farmers.
Chart and actual images analyzing the phenotype and quality of tomatoes when applying gene editing technology. (Photo: Research Team).
According to Professor Dr. Le Huy Ham, Head of the National Biotechnology Development, Research and Application Program for the 2021-2030 period and former Director of the Agricultural Genetics Institute, research into gene editing has only emerged after 2010. By 2017-2018, Vietnam began to make its first approaches in scientific research on gene editing for rice, corn, soybeans, and tomatoes. The projects aim to apply this technology to develop cassava that does not flower, rice resistant to brown planthopper and salt, increased grain size, and enhanced aroma; corn with increased kernel rows. Professor Ham believes that in terms of gene technology research, Vietnam is mainly at the design and gene transfer stage while this field involves many complex processes with high technology, requiring significant financial investment.
He assessed that Vietnam’s research has primarily remained at the laboratory scale, with few projects progressing to practical applications for the public. Therefore, Professor Ham believes that the scientific community needs in-depth studies to find valuable proprietary genes for developing genetically modified varieties.
Analyzing patent databases, Master Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, an information analyst at CESTI, reported that according to WIPS Global data, there are over 43,000 patents related to the application of biotechnology in breeding worldwide.
In Vietnam, according to WIPO Publish data from the Intellectual Property Office, there are 197 patents and utility solutions addressing biotechnology applications in crop breeding, including 52 patents from domestic institutes and enterprises. Master Thu noted that the trend of biotechnology research for breeding in Vietnam mainly focuses on tissue culture techniques, while genetic techniques and molecular markers are quite modest and need more substantial investment and attention moving forward.
