Emerging nucleases in crop genome editing: towards intellectual property independence and technical flexibility

As the global population grows and food security challenges increase, developing high-yield, stress-resistant crops have become crucial. Although CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a are the most widely utilized gene editing tools, their associated patent protections are notably stringent. This results in significant patent costs for commercializing breeding using these nucleases, highlighting the need for developing novel nucleases that possess autonomy of intellectual property (IP). In addition, novel nucleases exhibiting diverse recognition sites and hypercompact protein structures offer technical flexibility in gene editing. This review examines advancements in novel nuclease-based genome editing technologies and seeks to provide insights into the patent autonomy of plant genome editing, emphasizing the significant role of emerging compact nucleases in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring food security.