CRISPR-Cas

Representing Abundant Potential for Agriculture

Nandini Krishnamurthy,
Senior Research Manager, Genome Edited Trait Discovery
Trait Discovery & Optimization, DuPont Pioneer
DuPont Ags key technology platforms
BR E E DIN G
C R IS P R
BIO T E C H
C R O P P R O T E C T IO N
S E E D AP P LIE D
T E C H N O LO G Y
DIG IT AL S O LUT IO N S
AG R O N O M IC S O LUT IO N S
We put a great emphasis in managing
our grain on a much more micro level
so looking not on a field by field basis but
more on an acre by acre and even in
some cases on a sub-acre level.
- DuPont Customer
Only DuPont can collaborate with growers
acre by acre to answer these demands.
Everything we do is about solving one problem
a complex problem that has grown and changed
with the needs of our growing world
CROP PRODUCTIVITY
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Why CRISPR-Cas?

Efficient and targeted plant breeding

technology

Enables customized solutions for farmers

challenges
Conventional Breeding Practices Involve Many
Generations of Crossing
Drought tolerance example:

100% A 50%:50% 25%:75% 12.5%:87.5% 6.75%:93.25% 3.38%:96.62%

Tolerant
to
drought
Lower
quality
plant

Sensitive
to
drought
Higher
quality GOAL
plant 100% high quality plant
100% B +
drought tolerance

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CRISPR-Cas Enables Efficient Introduction of
Desired Characteristics
Drought tolerance example:

FROM: Incorporating
desired characteristics
in multiple cycles of
common breeding
practices Drought sensitive
Desired
characteristic
TO: Incorporating
desired characteristics
in as little as1 to 2
cycles via CRISPR-
Cas advanced Drought tolerant
breeding
100% A 100% B GOAL
Lower quality plant Higher quality plant 100% high quality plant
Tolerant to drought Sensitive to drought +
drought tolerance

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 How Can We Use CRISPR-Cas?

DELETE The plant does not have desired output.

The plant does have desired output.

EDIT The plant has tolerance to drought.

The plant has high tolerance to drought.

SEARCH/REPLACE The plant is susceptible to disease.

The plant is resistant to disease.

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DNA Breaks and Repair Happen in Nature
INTERNAL STRESS

DNA
BREAK
DNA
REPAIR

EXTERNAL
STRESS

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 CRISPR-Cas Enables Targeted DNA Breaks

Cas9 nuclease Guide RNA is designed to direct Cas9

(DNA cutting enzyme) enzyme to the DNA sequence of interest

Cas9 enzyme binds to the targeted DNA

Target Sequence and makes double strand break

DNA double strand break is repaired

Guide RNA through a plants own cellular process

Guide RNA matches the

target DNA sequence

CRISPR-Cas Applications

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Pioneer Will Deploy Targeted Breeding Broadly

NEAR-TERM PRODUCTS TO MARKET B ROAD A G RICULTURAL APPLICATIONS O F C R I SPR - CAS

WAXY CORN HYBRIDS
Foundational for future product DISEASE
RESISTANCE
YIELD & YIELD
STABILITY
DROUGHT
TOLERANCE
OUTPUT TRAITS MATURITY

development
First commercial agricultural CORN

product SOY

To market by end of current

CANOLA
decade
NORTHERN CORN LEAF BLIGHT RICE

Devastating global disease with

potential to cause $1.6B* annual WHEAT

losses in North America alone

Leveraging germplasm base SUNFLOWER

Utilizing native genes, genomic

selection, and genome editing NORTHERN LEAF BLIGHT READINESS:

Providing sustainable grower First half of next decade

solutions
Products, benefits and concepts described herein will not be offered for sale or distribution until completion of field testing and applicable
regulatory reviews. CONFIDENTIAL
* Source: Internal analysis and USDA.
Waxy Cornstarch is Part of Everyday
Consumer Products
Essential functions in food
industry to improve uniformity,
stability, and texture in various
food products

Binding qualities for the paper-

making process

Additional applications in the,

corrugating, textile and
adhesive industries

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More information available

CRISPRCas.pioneer.com 11