A biologist from Mississippi State University is making headlines this week in New Phytologist for her pioneering research aimed at enhancing global nutrition and sustainability.
Ling Li, who is an associate professor in the MSU Department of Biological Sciences, has dedicated over ten years to studying rice and soybean crops. Her objective is to develop new methods for improving these crops and increasing their protein content. This research holds the potential to address the widespread issue of protein deficiency, which impacts millions of people worldwide, particularly children. Such deficiencies can lead to various health problems, including cognitive impairments, stunted growth, and a higher risk of diseases like Kwashiorkor, a severe malnutrition condition primarily triggered by insufficient dietary protein.
“As concerns grow about protein deficiency and the ecological footprint of animal-based protein sources, enhancing the protein content in plants is vital for promoting human health and sustainability,” Li explained.
Li’s research, which encompasses over a decade’s worth of fieldwork and supporting field data, is centered around fine-tuning the genetic expressions of rice and soybean plants. This work leads to higher protein levels while decreasing carbohydrate content. By employing gene editing techniques to eliminate repressor elements from noncoding DNA sequences, her innovative strategy is poised to unlock the potential for improved protein yields in crops. This method not only boosts nutritional benefits but also encourages sustainable farming practices by lessening the dependency on animal-derived proteins.
The Animal Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that Li’s gene-edited high-protein crops may qualify as nonregulatory varieties of soybean and rice, according to her.
The results of her research provide a hopeful framework for enhancing crop output and nutritional standards through accurate genome editing, with significant implications for global food security and environmental sustainability.
Li’s work also involves cooperation with the Bing Yang Lab at the University of Missouri and the Dan Voytas Lab at the University of Minnesota.
