Shaping the Future of Plant Genome Editing: Contributions from Early-Career Researchers

Genome editing has changed how plant scientists study gene function and improve crops. CRISPR-based nucleases, base editors, prime editors and epigenome editing tools now allow precise, heritable changes in plant genomes. These tools support work on yield, stress tolerance, nutritional quality and disease resistance, and they contribute to global goals on food security and sustainable agriculture.Early-career researchers are developing many of these advances. They design new editing systems, optimize delivery and regeneration methods, and test edited lines in the field. Yet their work often has less visibility than that of established groups. This Research Topic gives PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and newly independent group leaders a place to present their findings and perspectives.This Research Topic brings together original research and perspectives led by early-career scientists in plant genome editing. We aim to show where the field is heading and to highlight the methods, applications and open questions that will shape the next decade. Submissions should include a first or corresponding author at an early career stage, such as a PhD student, postdoctoral researcher or researcher within roughly seven years of their first independent position. Studies must fall within the scope of the Genome Editing in Plants section. Work unrelated to plant genome editing, such as animal or human genome editing, is out of scope. For genome-edited lines, data from two or more independent lines showing similar and stable phenotypes should be analyzed and presented.We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Development and improvement of genome editing technologies in plants, including nucleases, base editors and prime editors- Delivery, transformation and regeneration strategies for editing recalcitrant species and genotypes- Development and application of epigenome editing tools in plants- Application of genome editing in agriculture, including crop yield, stress tolerance, nutritional quality and disease resistance- Genetic and molecular basis of editing outcomes, including repair pathways, off-target effects and editing efficiency- Plant biological studies aided by genome editing, including functional genomics of gene families and regulatory elements- Computational tools, guide RNA design and screening approaches for plant genome editingWe accept Original Research, Methods, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, Opinion and Hypothesis and Theory articles. Topic editors: Bing Yang, Fredy Altpeter Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/87274/shaping-the-future-of-plant-genome-editing-contributions-from-early-career-researchers