Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Zinc Biofortification of Rice

Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Zinc Biofortification of Rice provides the first single-volume comprehensive resource on genetic engineering approaches, including novel genome editing techniques, to be carried out in rice, a staple crop for much of the world’s population. While zinc biofortification can be achieved through conventional breeding, genetic engineering, and agronomic practices, this book presents the latest developments, based on real-world experience and with targeted application. Dietary zinc deficiency can lead to negative health outcomes, including increased risk of stunting, respiratory diseases, diarrhea and mortality during childhood, and preterm births in pregnancy. Although providing access to diverse diet is an ideal solution to alleviate zinc deficiency, it may not be a viable solution in developing countries. Zinc biofortification, a process of increasing zinc concentration in the edible part of food crops, has been proposed as a sustainable approach that can reach people living in remote rural areas, complementing other interventions, such as supplementation and industrial fortification. Providing a complete view of the need for, and means of, zinc biofortification in rice, sections in this book discuss state-of-the-art scientific advances, and then goes further, placing them in their proper scientific, regulatory, and socioeconomic contexts. Thus, Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Zinc Biofortification of Rice is a valuable resource for graduate students, researchers, educators, librarians, and professionals in various kinds of institutions which focused on agriculture, environmental science, and plant science.

• Compiles the state-of-the-art information to allow fast-track understanding and application of zinc content improvement
• Discusses multiple strategic and methodology approaches
• Includes discussion of the socioeconomic implications of improved rice nutritional value

PhD in Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India;

BSc (Agriculture), University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Professional Experience:

Currently Senior Scientist I-Senior Breeder, IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

Scientist II- Rice Breeder, IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

Scientist I-Rice Breeder, at IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

Postdoctoral Fellow - at IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

Visiting Research Fellow - at IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

Senior Research Fellow (CSIR)- Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India

Junior Research Fellow (CSIR)- Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India

Senior Research Fellow (ICAR) –Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India

Main research topics: Breeding for healthier rice varieties, high beta-carotene, iron and zinc.

Dr. Anca Macovei earned a degree in Biology and a Masters Degree in Plant Genetic Engineering at the ‘Babes-Bolyai’ University in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) followed by a PhD Degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of Pavia (Italy). Post-doc fellowships were at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Manila, Philippines Currently, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology and Biotechnology (Plant Biotechnology Laboratory), University of Pavia (Italy), main research topics are molecular profiling of seed quality, plant DNA Damage Response (DDR).

Dr. Kurniawan Rudi Trijatmiko earned a degree in Agriculture at the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) in 1994. Master Degree in Biotechnology at the Bogor Agricultural University (Indonesia) in 2000. PhD Degree in Plant Sciences at the Wageningen University (Netherlands) in 2005.Following Post-doc fellowships at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines (2009-2011) and Project Scientist at IRRI (2014-2016). Dr.Trijatmiko is currently working as a Scientist I at the Genetic Transformation Laboratory, IRRI with focus on main research topics: engineering rice for high beta-carotene, iron and zinc.