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Rice’s Resistance to Genetic Tweaks Poses Challenge for Crop Scientists
Advanced methods for temporarily switching plant genes on or off do not work in rice, but setback could be a springboard for innovation
27 August 2025
Efforts to use viruses as tools for genetic research in rice have hit a roadblock, according to a new study by scientists from Rothamsted and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Brazil. The collaboration tested two popular viral vectors — barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) and foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) — for their ability to alter gene expression in rice plants.
While the technique, known as virus-enabled reverse genetics (VERG), has proven effective in wheat and other monocots, researchers found that neither BSMV nor FoMV successfully altered gene expression in six different rice cultivars. The findings suggest rice may possess intrinsic resistance mechanisms that block these viral vectors, making it harder to study gene function in this crop.
VERG techniques, which harness plant viruses to silence or overexpress a specific gene, are a cornerstone of functional genomics in species where stable transformation is difficult. While VERG tools have enabled researchers ask questions about what specific genes do in a range of monocots and dicots, including in blackgrass, the new data clearly show that rice (Oryza sativa) is recalcitrant.
If we’re going to transiently alter gene expression in rice, we will need new approaches.
“We tested everything - different rice subspecies, different inoculation methods, used the ideal growth conditions - but no matter what we did, it worked in wheat, but not in rice,” said Guilherme M. Turra, a PhD student at UFRGS who undertook the study whilst based at Rothamsted.
When it is successful, the most tried-and-tested method to assess successful silencing is through removing one of the genes associated with chlorophyll production. This causes a change from green leaves to white, otherwise known as photobleaching. Alternatively, using the viruses to drive expression of fluorescent proteins like GFP will result in plants with fluorescent patches. Neither outcome was observed in rice, despite extensive optimisation.
By publishing these negative results, the researchers hope to save others from repeating the same experiments and to encourage the development of alternative viral systems tailored to rice.
“This result suggests rice has some intrinsic resistance mechanisms that block the viruses from successfully mounting a VERG response in rice.” said Dr. Dana MacGregor, senior Rothamsted co-author on the article. “Although BSMV and FoMV driven VERG have a good track record in other species, our data show they also have their limitations. What works in wheat, Setaria, or blackgrass didn’t translate easily to rice. If we’re going to transiently alter gene expression in rice, we will need new approaches.”
This study was funded by the Brazilian Government's Institutional Internationalization Program (PRINT) from Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) with additional strategic funding from the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council allocated to the Growing Health Institute Strategic Programme.
Image: Shutterstock
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Contacts
Dr Dana MacGregor
Weed Molecular Biologist
ABOUT ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking
discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern
agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
Through independent research, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally, with
economic impact estimated to exceed £3 bn in annual contribution to the UK economy. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines strategic research,
interdisciplinary teams and multiple partnerships.
Rothamsted is home to three unique National Bioscience Research Infrastructures which are open to researchers from all over the world:
The Long-Term Experiments,
Rothamsted Insect Survey and the
North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and
international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
ABOUT BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid
from the UK government.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant,
dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges,
such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK’s world-class research and innovation system
to flourish – we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged.
BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity,
and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships on a global scale.
ABOUT LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.