RNA interferenca za izboljšanje kmetijskih rastlin in povečanje tolerance na stres

Golovrški, Adriana (author), Štajner, Nataša (mentor)

RNA interferenca je biotehnološka metoda, ki temelji na utišanju genov in se vse pogosteje uporablja tudi v kmetijstvu. Prvič je bila odkrita leta 1985 in se zaradi svoje široke uporabnosti hitro razvija. S to metodo smo zmožni povečati toleranco na abiotski in biotski stres rastline ter povečati pridelek. Pomembne metode, ki so se razvile s pomočjo RNAi, so HIGS, SIGS in VIGS, ki temeljijo na izražanju dvoverižne DNA (dsRNA, angl. double stranded RNA) za utišanje tarčnih genov. Med njimi se rastline, pri katerih je bila uporabljen metoda HIGS, obravnavajo kot gensko spremenjeni organizmi (GSO) zaradi vstavitve tujega genetskega materiala v genom rastline. Soočamo se tudi z nekaterimi omejitvami, kot je neželen učinek na netarčne gene, kar lahko privede do motenj v rasti in razvoju rastline. RNAi tehnologija lahko služi v agronomiji kot napredno orodje za žlahtnjenje rastlin, odpornih na različne stresne dejavnike, ter pripomogla pri izboljšanju lastnosti pridelka, ki so ključne za potrošnika, kot so kakovost, hranilna vrednost in trajnost pridelave.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: RNA interferenca, kmetijske rastline, toleranca na stres
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Year: 2025
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-173592
• COBISS.SI-ID: 249597443
• Publication date in RUL: 19.09.2025

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: RNA Interference for Improving Agricultural Crops and increase stress tolerance

Abstract

RNA interference is a biotechnological method based on silencing of target genes and is increasingly used in agriculture. First discovered in 1985, it has been rapidly developing due to its wide applicability. This method enables us to increase plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, thereby improving yield. Important approaches that have been developed through RNAi include HIGS, SIGS and VIGS, all of which rely on the expression of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to silence target genes. Among them, plants treated with the HIGS method are considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs) due to the insertion of foreign genetic material into the plant genome. However, we are also faced with some limitations, such as the off-target effect, which can lead to unintended gene silencing and disruptions in plant growth and development. RNAi technology can serve as an advanced tool in agronomy for the development of plants resistant to various stress factors and for the improvement of traits which are crucial for the consumer, such as quality, nutritional value and sustainability of production.

• Keywords: RNA interference, agricultular plants, stress tolerance