This book aims to provide readers with a thorough understanding of the gene editing methods. It closes the gap between state-of-the-art scientific research and real-world applications. A detailed analysis of use of gene editing to improve yield, disease resilience and nutrient fortification is covered in this book. It further provides insights into the achievements and lingering difficulties of applying gene editing to cereals, including wheat, rice, and maize. Additionally, this volume addresses the ethical, regulatory and public perception concerns that come with its implementation by showcasing case studies and real-world instances. Lastly, it examines the possibilities for gene editing in cereals in the future, imagining how these innovations may support resilient agriculture, food security and climate change adaptation.
The primary focus of this book is on the progress and prospects of gene editing in cereal crops, such as wheat, rice, corn, and barley, which makes it most relevant to plant scientists, breeders, biotechnology professionals, and those involved in the regulatory and policy aspects of agricultural biotechnology. It could also serve as a valuable resource for graduate students and academic institutions engaged in cereal crop research and development.
Dr. Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam is currently working as a research professor at the Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. Dr. Kamel earned his PhD in molecular plant pathology from Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany and Suez Canal University, Egypt. In 2008, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the same institution. He has published 332+ scientific articles and 41+ books related to nanobiotechnology applications in agriculture and plant protection with global publishing houses. He was ranked in the top 2% of the most influential scientists in the world in nanobiotechnology for three consecutive years of 2021 2025 by Stanford University. In 2014, he was awarded the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils Prize for excellent scientific research in biotechnology (fungal genomics). Egyptian State Award for Agricultural Scientific Excellence, ASRT (2022).
Dr. Aftab Ahmad is currently an Associate Professor in the Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center (NMSRC), University of Nizwa, Oman. Dr. Aftab's research interests include developing insect/pest resistance in date palm, virus-resistant cotton, and salt-tolerant plants using CRISPR/Cas technology. He has published more than 50 research articles in international peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Aftab pursued his PhD and postdocs in plant molecular biology from the University of Shizuoka, Japan, under the Center of Excellence (COE, 21st Century) program. Dr. Aftab also served as a visiting scientist in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA. He has more than 10 years of teaching biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, and his research focuses on CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing in plants.
