ABSTRACT
The determination of the DNA structure in the 1950s offered a new way for scientists to look at living organisms. Subsequent genomics studies were a breakthrough in the investigation of the organisms' physiology. The interactions of an organism's genes with one another and how the expression of genes is affected by the surrounding environment can be better understood. Several techniques of gene and genome editing have been developed in the last few decades for multiple purposes. Specifically, we can investigate in a rational manner, mechanisms of biosynthetic pathways and target the accumulation of valuable substances in cells or suppression of undesired compounds. This chapter presents the concepts behind forward and reverse genetics and synthetic biology. Herein, we provide examples of genome editing techniques looking at gene/genome editing of medicinal plants. How such technologies might be useful to produce natural products of Brazilian medicinal plants origin are highlighted.
