CROP GENETIC ENHANCEMENT THROUGH GENOME EDITING TECHNOLOGY AND FUTURE AGRICULTURE LEADERSHIP CULTIVATION

The ultimate goal is the improved environment for future minority work force training. Specific objectives are :1) To explore CRISPR genome editing system for tomato line production with the modified cuticle formation and structures (ASU and OSU);2) To systemically examine the roles of the targeted genes in cuticle formation for their related functions in biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in tomato plants (ASU and OSU);3): To train 1890 faculty and under-privileged students in the use of biochemical, molecular, cellular biology and the genome editing technology for the academic and research enhancement (ASU and OSU).