Less bitter witloof and root chicory using targeted gene editing

During her doctoral project, Charlotte De Bruyn (VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology and ILVO) managed to develop witloof and chicory that are less bitter. Using the gene editing technique CRISPR/Cas9, the genes responsible for the bitter taste were specifically altered, with success. Her findings offer prospects for breeding other bitter crops such as Brussels sprouts and endive.