CRISPR-Based Disease Resistance: A New Era in Plant and Animal Health

Dina Abdelaziz

doi:10 .4172/2327-4581.1000411

Editorial, J Plant Physiol Pathol Vol: 13 Issue: 1

CRISPR-Based Disease Resistance: A New Era in Plant and Animal Health

Dina Abdelaziz^*

Department of Botany, Alexandria University, Egypt

*Corresponding Author:: Dina Abdelaziz
Department of Botany, Alexandria University, Egypt
E-mail: dina840@gmail.com

Received: 01-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. jppp-25-170632; Editor assigned: 4-Jan-2025, Pre-QC No. jppp-25-170632 (PQ); Reviewed: 18-Jan-2025, QC No. jppp-25-170632; Revised: 25-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. jppp-25-170632 (R); Published: 30-Jan-2025, DOI: 10.4172/2329-955X.1000378

Citation: Dina A (2025) CRISPR-Based Disease Resistance: A New Era in Plant and Animal Health. J Plant Physiol Pathol 13: 378

Supplementary File

Introduction

Disease resistance in plants and animals is critical for ensuring food security, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability. Traditional breeding methods to develop disease-resistant varieties are often slow, labor-intensive, and sometimes limited by the availability of natural resistance genes. The advent of CRISPR-Cas technology—an innovative gene-editing tool—has revolutionized the field of genetic engineering by providing a precise, efficient, and cost-effective means to modify genomes. CRISPR-based disease resistance harnesses this technology to directly edit genes responsible for susceptibility or immunity, offering a transformative approach to combating diseases in agriculture and medicine [1].

Discussion

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) and its associated protein Cas9 allow scientists to target specific DNA sequences and introduce precise modifications such as gene knockouts, insertions, or replacements. In the context of disease resistance, this technology enables the modification of genes that either enhance an organism’s immune response or disable genes that pathogens exploit to infect the host [2].

In plant systems, CRISPR has been widely used to confer resistance against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and even pests. For example, editing susceptibility genes such as MLO in wheat and barley has led to durable resistance against powdery mildew, a common fungal disease. Similarly, CRISPR has been employed to develop resistance against viral diseases like the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus by disrupting host factors essential for viral replication. Unlike traditional transgenic approaches, CRISPR can generate non-transgenic, cisgenic, or gene-edited plants, which often face fewer regulatory hurdles and greater public acceptance [3].

In animal health, CRISPR technology is also being explored to enhance disease resistance. One notable example is the editing of the CD163 gene in pigs to confer resistance to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a devastating viral disease affecting the swine industry globally. Gene-edited animals can potentially reduce the reliance on antibiotics and vaccines, addressing concerns about antimicrobial resistance and improving animal welfare [4].

The advantages of CRISPR-based disease resistance include high specificity, the ability to target multiple genes simultaneously (multiplexing), and the potential for rapid development of resistant varieties or breeds. Furthermore, CRISPR can be combined with other breeding strategies to accelerate the development of superior lines [5].

However, challenges remain. Off-target effects—unintended genetic modifications—pose risks that must be minimized through improved guide RNA design and delivery methods. Additionally, the durability of CRISPR-induced resistance requires careful evaluation, as pathogens may evolve counter-strategies. Ethical, regulatory, and public acceptance issues also influence the adoption of CRISPR-edited organisms, especially in food production.

Conclusion

CRISPR-based disease resistance represents a groundbreaking advancement in biotechnology, offering precise and efficient solutions to longstanding challenges in plant and animal health. By directly editing genes involved in host-pathogen interactions, this technology enables the development of disease-resistant varieties and breeds faster and more reliably than traditional methods. While technical and societal challenges persist, the promise of CRISPR to improve food security, reduce chemical inputs, and enhance animal welfare is undeniable. Continued research, responsible regulation, and public engagement will be key to fully realizing the potential of CRISPR for sustainable disease management in agriculture and beyond.