KOLKATA, 28 June 2025: In a significant breakthrough for climate-resilient farming, researchers at Kolkata’s Bose Institute have developed a smart gene switch that enables plants to activate their defences only when needed, helping them withstand heat stress and disease more efficiently.
The innovation, reported in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, uses a modified version of the CRISPR gene-editing tool called dCas9, which functions as a programmable molecular switch without cutting DNA. The tool is designed to remain inactive until the plant senses stress, such as extreme heat or infection, thereby conserving energy and resources.
Led by Prof. Pallob Kundu, the research team introduced a small segment of a tomato protein, known as the TM domain of NACMTF3, to act as a lock. Under normal conditions, this lock keeps the gene switch outside the cell nucleus. When a stress trigger, such as elevated temperature, occurs, the lock is removed, allowing the switch to enter the nucleus and activate key defense genes.
The system was successfully tested in tomatoes, potatoes and tobacco plants. In trials involving tomatoes infected with the heat-favouring bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, the tool triggered immune-related genes CBP60g and SARD1 precisely when the plant came under attack, strengthening its ability to fight disease even during a heatwave.
Additionally, during periods of high temperature, the switch activated two heat-tolerance genes, NAC2 and HSFA6b, enabling tomato plants to stay green, conserve water, and maintain their health despite heat stress.
The scientists say the smart gene switch holds promise for farmers struggling with erratic weather and rising temperatures. The energy-efficient system could be extended to other critical food crops, including brinjal and chilli, to build a more climate-resilient agricultural sector.
“This innovation is aligned with India’s goals for climate-smart agriculture,” a DST official said, adding that the technology could eventually be scaled for commercial use.
