【新华社】基因组编辑新利器：PCE技术实现染色体“精准编辑”

Core Viewpoint - The research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a novel programmable chromosome-level large segment DNA manipulation technology called PCE, which enables precise editing of DNA from thousands to millions of base pairs, representing a significant breakthrough in the field of genetic engineering [2][3]. Group 1: Technological Breakthroughs - The PCE technology addresses the core challenge of precise manipulation of large segment DNA, which has been a limitation of existing tools in terms of efficiency, scale, precision, and diversity [3]. - The research team has created two programmable chromosome editing systems, PCE and RePCE, which allow for precise and seamless manipulation of ultra-large segment DNA [3][5]. - Innovations include a high-throughput recombination site rapid modification platform and an AI-based optimization of Cre recombinase, which enhances editing efficiency by 3.5 times [5]. Group 2: Applications and Implications - The new technology has the potential to revolutionize crop trait improvement and genetic disease treatment by enabling precise genomic structural variations [6]. - In traditional breeding, desirable traits are often linked with undesirable genes; the new method can help decouple these traits, enhancing breeding strategies [6]. - The technology has already been successfully applied to create herbicide-resistant rice with a precise inversion of 315 kilobases [7].