University of Milan researchers harvest TEA-modified rice

The second season of field experimentation for the Ris8imo project has concluded, marking a significant step in the use of Assisted Evolution Techniques (TEA) for rice cultivation. Researchers from the University of Milan and the National Rice Institute have completed the harvest of approximately 2,500 plants across two experimental sites located in the provinces of Pavia and Novara.

The study utilizes CRISPR-Cas9 technology to modify three Italian rice varieties. By inactivating specific genes associated with susceptibility to rice blast, a highly damaging fungal disease, the project aims to develop more resilient crops.

The harvested samples have been transported to the University of Milan laboratories for detailed phenotypic, agronomic, and statistical analysis. These evaluations will determine the plants' resistance to disease, as well as their overall productivity and grain quality.