CRISPR-Based Plant Improvements for Boosting the Natural Products

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology has fundamentally transformed genetic engineering by providing unparalleled accuracy in altering the genetic makeup of different animals. This chapter examines the utilization of CRISPR-based techniques to improve the process of natural product biosynthesis in plants. CRISPR’s ability to edit genes with precision allows researchers to manipulate individual genes involved in biosynthetic processes, offering a powerful tool for the enhancement of the synthesis of important natural products. Important strategies involve enhancing the production of crucial enzymes, inhibiting substances that hinder the process, and introducing new routes, all of which contribute to the higher output of desirable substances. The chapter explores the molecular mechanisms involved in CRISPR-mediated alterations, emphasizing the ability to tailor plant genomes to achieve certain natural product profiles.