ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews recent advancements in maize genome editing technologies, the current state of the art breeding technology in maize and other systems. Despite having these tools for genetic discovery, precision genome editing is more desirable because it allows for the maize genome to be modified in a directed and controlled manner. One of the concerns targeted genome editing is the potential for off-target activity of the CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease, which has been addressed in two maize studies. A simple method that by-passes tissue culture entirely would change the field of maize precision genome editing overnight. Genome editing is the process by which a specific site in the genome is targeted for manipulation. Precisely targeted genome editing in maize has been achieved by inducing site-specific DSBs resulting in sequence modifications during the repair process. The potential for off-target mutations is an important issue for precise genome editing in maize and other crops.
