Call for papers - Plant genome editing: advances and applications in plant biology

Anshu Alok, PhD, University of Minnesota, USA

Dr Anshu Alok is a plant scientist specializing in plant molecular biology and genetic engineering. He holds a PhD in Biotechnology, with a focus on engineering the myo-inositol oxygenase pathway in wheat to reduce phytic acid, an antinutrient that limits mineral absorption. With over 12 years of experience in CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing, Dr Alok has worked with a range of crops including tobacco, potato, wheat, banana, and soybean. He is currently a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at the University of Minnesota, USA. His current research centers on advancing CRISPR/Cas9 technologies and developing efficient transformation methods for legume crops such as soybean and common bean. He is particularly focused on overcoming regeneration challenges in plant gene editing by utilizing developmental regulators and virus-based delivery systems. Dr Alok is also actively involved in the scientific publishing community and serves as an editorial board member and reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals, including Plant Methods.

Jitesh Kumar, PhD, University of Minnesota, USA

Dr Jitesh Kumar is a Research Scientist in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at the University of Minnesota (USA). He earned his PhD in Plant Biotechnology from Panjab University, Chandigarh (India), where his research focused on the pathogenesis of Geminiviruses in crop plants and the development of RNA-guided genome editing systems using SpCas9 for plant applications. Dr Kumar has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals in the fields of plant science and biotechnology. He also serves on the editorial boards of several academic journals, including Plant Methods, BMC Plant Biology, and BMC Biotechnology. His current research explores the mechanisms of DNA repair in response to CRISPR-induced double-strand breaks in plants. Through this work, he aims to improve the precision and efficiency of genome editing technologies to enhance crop productivity and disease resistance.

Zhongwei Zou, PhD, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

Dr Zhongwei Zou is a plant pathologist with expertise in molecular plant pathology, plant–microbe interactions, disease resistance breeding, genetics, and genomics. His research focuses on unraveling the complex mechanisms that govern plant defense responses and crop adaptation to environmental stressors. A key area of his work involves studying how crops respond to climate change, including elevated atmospheric CO₂ levels. To address these challenges, Dr Zou’s team utilizes advanced molecular tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 multiplex genome editing to investigate gene functions and enhance disease resistance in crops. His research contributes to broader goals of improving agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable farming practices in the context of a changing global climate. At Wilfrid Laurier University, Dr Zou leads research on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies aimed at protecting economically important crops, particularly canola and soybean, from a variety of plant diseases. He has authored and co-authored over 70 articles in international peer-reviewed journals.