Developing Different NPBTs, We’re Moving Forward
In general terms, New Plant-Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) (or gene editing) are methods that allow scientists to develop new plant varieties with desired traits, by modifying the seeds and plant cells’ DNA. As the process has only been developed in the last decade, the technique is still quite new and it has been continually evolving in recent years. However, in the CHIC project, we have been doing genome editing based on CRISPR-Cas.
For those not familiar with this concept, CRISPR, according to Wikipedia, is an acronym for ‘clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, which is a family of genes found in organisms such as bacteria. CRISPR is a technology that edits genes, or put it simply, it finds a specific bit of DNA inside a cell, at which point it alters that piece of DNA.
The CHIC project has developed four different methods in parallel to deliver CRISPR tools to chicory cells, which should have identical genetic outcomes. They differ only in the degree of “DNA invasiveness”, which is relevant in adopting these new technologies and their products by regulators and the general public. In the first four years of the project, three methods with varying degrees of DNA invasiveness have been fully implemented. The root chicory has been grown to maturity in which, using genome editing technique, the genes responsible for root bitter compounds have been eliminated. A patent application has been filed for this innovation.
Meanwhile, other partners involved in the project have worked on finding alternative genome editing molecules that may work even better in plant cells than CRISPR/Cas and a possible solution for self-incompatibility. This is the feature that chicory plants cannot be fertilized by their own pollen, as can be done in many other plant species, which poses a serious bottleneck in chicory variety improvement by plant breeding. The genes for self-incompatibility in chicory have been found and tested. Finally, additional work has been performed to improve the chicory genome sequence.
Check out Work Package 1 video –
Work Package Leader
Dr. Paul Bundock, WP1 Coordinator
Development of Four Conceptually Different NPBTs (New Plant Breeding Techniques)
CHIC News!
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Rubén IDConsortium2023-06-06 23:16:012023-06-06 23:22:18Policy Brief on research and innovation achievements
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Rubén IDConsortium2023-06-06 22:40:432023-06-07 12:57:41Policy Recommendations
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Rubén IDConsortium2022-11-10 00:32:192022-11-10 00:32:19Genome editing successfully used to induce chicory plants to accumulate important medical compound: Costunolide
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Rubén IDConsortium2022-11-10 00:17:542022-11-10 00:24:15Researchers develop chicory plants that contain medical compound: costunolide
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Marina IDConsortium
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Marina IDConsortium2022-08-17 09:30:122022-05-27 18:45:58Meet Dr. Armin Spök, WP6 Coordinator
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Marina IDConsortium2022-08-03 09:30:542022-05-27 18:35:05Meet Maria Hingsamer!
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Marina IDConsortium
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Marina IDConsortium2022-07-13 09:30:592022-05-27 18:09:42Meet Dr. Paul Bundock, WP1 Coordinator
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Marina IDConsortium2022-06-29 09:30:572022-05-27 17:57:03Meet Dr. Ingrid van der Meer, WP2 Coordinator
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Marina IDConsortium2022-05-16 09:00:482022-04-22 16:03:21Meet Dr. Dirk Bosch, CHIC Project LeaderFollow us!
Dr. Suvi Häkkinen, WP8 Coordinator
Dr. Ingrid M. van der Meer, WP2 Leader
Scientists and researchers are finding other ways to solve this problem. Bioactivity assays were identified as having one promising sesquiterpene lactone with anti-inflammatory activity and extracts containing antimicrobial activity. This resulted in identifying responsible substances.
Prof. Dr. Alain Tissier, WP3 Coordinator
Within the socio-economic assessment, the impact of different NPBTs on economic and social indicators are quantified using GDP, production volume, growth, competitiveness, and employment indicators. The distribution of wealth and income between different sectors and regions within the EU and the global economy will also be assessed. The LCA provides information on different aspects like greenhouse gas emissions, primary energy demand, and land use of the new value chain developed in CHIC.
Maria Hingsamer, WP5 Coordinator
Dr. Armin Spök, WP6 Coordinator
Educational activities for high school students have started to get off the ground. MyCHICFarm, an augmented reality game, and CHIC-Bubbles, a virtual reality game have garnered positive feedback from the students so far. Some CHIC partners have visited schools in The Netherlands and Spain and we are looking to continue to share this amazing technology at several schools in Europe. CHIC Days, an organized event with different schools, is already on the way, and we plan to visit a few schools in the next few months. We will certainly share more about these events in the coming months so stay tuned.
Macarena Sanz, WP7 Coordinator
MyCHICFarm is an AR game developed for the CHIC project. It allows students, and the young generation, to learn more about new genome editing techniques and, of course, to learn more about the CHIC project. The game allows users to grow chicory crops and make the most money by planting chicory using Microsoft’s Hololens. In short, a farmer (user) starts with a fixed amount of money to buy chicory seeds, plant them, grow them, collect them, and then sell them in the market. The price of the chicory crops fluctuates based on the quality of crops, which can be affected by unexpected events such as droughts, rain, and insects. The game also includes a way to utilize CRISPR/Cas technique on plant DNA. CHIC-Bubbles organize relevant topics related to the project in a VR hierarchical space or taxonomy. The VR world allows students to explore and acquire knowledge related to the NPBTs technology in a non-conventional and exciting way.
Students enjoyed dissecting the DNA in a lab using AR. They were able to play with plants’ DNA using this immersive technology that is not readily available everywhere. They certainly enjoyed the life-like experience of modifying a virtual chicory plant DNA with their own hands using Microsoft Hololens. At the same time, the CHIC-Bubbles game was also a ‘hit’ with the students. They found the game fun and useful, especially compared to the 2D presentation. They enjoyed playing the games that students had to ask them to give other students a chance.
Dr. Thorben Sprink, WP4 Coordinator
The second day of the general assembly included members of the Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) where they had the chance to speak with CHIC partners to further discuss the project’s progress. The members were grateful to be present and learn more about the project from the partners. The Head of Institute at JKI, Dr. Ralf Wilhelm, shared the history of the institute and the kind of projects that they have been involved in in the past. The CHIC partners were certainly very grateful for organizing the event and its hospitality in hosting these amazing and talented plant researchers and scientists. The day was not complete without the special lecture from Prof. Dr. Jens Boch of 
This project has received funding from the EU Horizon 2020 research & innovation programme under grant agreement N. 760891.