Science TechnologySaturday, 23 May 2026·https://testbook.com/current-affairs/23-may-2026-daily-current-affairs
ICAR-CRRI develops Plant-OpenCRISPR1, the world’s first AI-designed plant genome-editing tool
ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute announced Plant-OpenCRISPR1 on 22 May 2026 as the first AI-designed genome-editing tool for plants.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 22 May 2026, scientists at the ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack, announced Plant-OpenCRISPR1 (POC1), described as the world’s first AI-designed genome-editing tool for plants.
Key specifics
- The work was led by scientist Kutubuddin Ali Molla at the Cuttack facility in Odisha.
- POC1 builds on the human-centric OpenCRISPR-1 (OC1) platform.
- The tool uses large language models (LLMs) trained on protein sequences to design enzymes from scratch.
- It was validated for gene knockout, base editing and prime editing in crops.
- ICAR-CRRI was established in 1946 and functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Exam lens
Science & technology current affairs, AI + genome editing, ICAR-CRRI, Cuttack, 22 May 2026, POC1 — TNPSC may ask the first AI-designed plant editing tool and the institute behind it.