CRISPR/Cas9 system and its prospective application in grass

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a new, precise genome editing technology, which has received wide attention from the scientific community globally. CRISPR/Cas9 is widely utilised for studying gene functions, because it enables precise modification of specific gene sites, including knockout, insertion, and substitution. CRISPR/Cas9 has many advantages, including convenience, precision, efficiency, and a wide selection of target sites. Presently, this technology is applied in all the field of life sciences, including microorganisms, plants, animals, and human gene therapy. The present article briefly introduces the course of development of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, mechanism of action, technical advantage, functions, and its applications. It summarizes the progresses in targetted plant genome editing, and discusses the potential applications of this process in research on grass species, including studies on functional genomics, gene metabolism and regulation, and genetic improvement, which provides a useful reference for the later researches and application of this field.