Belgium
January 17, 2024

VIB has submitted a new field trial application for conducting field experiments with genome-edited maize.

Scientists from the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology have disabled specific genes in maize that are involved in the formation of the cell wall. The result is that there is less lignin in the cell wall, which is expected to improve the digestibility of the maize, making it easier for the animals that consume this crop to absorb energy and nutrients. This field trial is an important step in research aimed at improving the nutritional value of crops. So far, the plants have only been tested in a greenhouse and in the field trial the researchers want to determine whether the maize also has less lignin in their cell wall under normal growing conditions.

From today until February 17, 2024, the field trial file is available on the federal government's website for public consultation.

Website: http://www.vib.be

Published: January 18, 2024