A project led by Momna Mehmood, a doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at Ondokuz Mayıs University’s (OMU) Faculty of Agriculture, has been selected for funding under the TÜBİTAK 1002-A Rapid Support Module.

The study aims to develop biotechnological solutions to the effects of climate change on agricultural production. Conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Musa Kavas, the project builds on findings obtained through an ongoing OMU Scientific Research Projects (BAP) study.

As part of the BAP project, the researchers successfully developed a novel knockout mutant tomato line, designated J-03, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology. The line carries a 228-base-pair deletion in an intergenic long non-coding RNA, or lincRNA, and provides an important genetic resource for the TÜBİTAK 1002-A project.

Investigating the Role of lncRNA in Tomato Drought Response

The project, titled “Transcriptomic Profiling of CRISPR/Cas9-Edited Tomato Lines to Unveil lncRNA-Mediated Drought Response Mechanisms,” is based on the understanding that only approximately two per cent of eukaryotic genomes encode proteins, while much of the remaining genome produces biologically active non-coding RNA molecules.

Long non-coding RNAs, or lncRNAs, are among these molecules and play an important role in regulating plant responses to drought stress.

The project will investigate the molecular function of a lincRNA identified as being involved in drought response in tomato plants, a strategically important crop with annual global production of approximately 192 million tonnes. The J-03 mutant line, containing the 228-base-pair deletion, will provide a novel model for comprehensive transcriptomic analyses.

The research will pursue three main objectives:

1. To comprehensively identify drought-responsive genes and regulatory pathways through RNA sequencing analysis of wild-type and J-03 mutant lines;
2. To validate selected target genes using quantitative real-time PCR analysis; and
3. To characterise drought tolerance at the biochemical level by measuring physiological parameters and oxidative stress markers.

A Biotechnological Contribution to Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Commenting on the project, Momna Mehmood stated that the study combines precision genome-editing technology with comprehensive transcriptomic analyses to clarify lncRNA-mediated drought-response mechanisms in tomato plants at the molecular level.

The findings are expected to provide an important biotechnological foundation for developing crops that are more resilient to climate change.

The project also aims to introduce a new model of lncRNA-mediated drought-tolerance mechanisms to the plant biotechnology literature. Conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Musa Kavas, the integrated research is expected to further strengthen scientific capacity and international visibility in agricultural biotechnology.