Modern science continues to expand our influence over nature. From growing lab-made meat to editing DNA, the line between natural and engineered is becoming thinner. One of the latest advancements pushes that line even further with a genetic switch that controls plant traits.
Researchers at Colorado State University have made a significant leap by developing a genetic tool that can control traits in fully grown plants. This marks the first successful use of a synthetic “toggle switch” in a complex plant system.
The study showcases a way to switch specific plant genes on or off using an external signal. The implications are enormous. It hints at the possibility of growing plants that ripen on demand, endure climate extremes, or produce more nutritious crops…