Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran

One of the most important goals of sustainable agriculture is the development of healthy crops with higher yields, optimal use of environmental resources with minimal damage, improving the quality of life in society through fair distribution of food, and providing economic benefits for farmers. Application of modern technologies such as Genetic engineering for modifying crops qualities and quantities can be one of the approaches to achieve the sustainable agriculture. The aim of this research program is the improvement of the important crops (with priority to rapeseed, cotton, and soybean) for resistance to important pests and diseases, tolerance to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, and cold), resistance to herbicides, and their qualities and yield. The transferring of resistance genes for biotic and abiotic stresses is one of the main approaches in the engineering and improvement of crops. Moreover, genome editing technologies (especially CRISPR/Cas) by targeted and precision mutagenesis, is another approach for achieving our goals of this research program. Enhancing oil content, improving oil quality, and crop bio-fortification are among our targets in this research program.