Location: Crop Germplasm Research
Project Number: 3091-21000-048-011-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Aug 31, 2027
Objective:
To develop efficient genome editing tools and resources to modify the genes of priority traits for cotton improvement.
Approach:
USDA-ARS will screen elite accessions from the National Cotton Germplasm Collection, the cotton genetic standard Texas Marker - 1 (TM-1) and the easily cultured cotton cultivar (Coker 312). Targeted gene sequences will be identified from the TM-1 reference genome and sgRNAs will be designed. Cooperator will provide appropriate CRISPR/Cas9 vectors and necessary facilities to assemble sgRNAs in the vector constructs. Upon validation by transient assays, the sgRNA plasmids will be transformed into cotton via Agrobacterium tumefaciens and/or particle bombardment. USDA and Collaborator will jointly evaluate the transformed cotton for targeted mutagenesis with any changes of DNA sequences and trait observations.