Barley Team interaction at AU Flakkebjerg 2025

PhD students at AU 2025

Adane, Ermias, Tekalign and Thomas visited AU in Flakkebjerg from September to November 2025.

The main purpose of the visit was to continue CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of barley, which was initiated in 2024 (March to September), targeting six specific genes, potentially related to aluminium tolerance and disease resistance (Rhynchosporium graminicola and Pyrenophora teres).

Specifically, this visit aimed at identification of CRISPR/Cas9 generated barley mutant plants (from cv. Golden Promise) and to characterize the mutations by sequencing the targeted genes. Homozygous, biallelic and heterozygous gene edited mutants were identified. The homozygous gene edited mutants (knockouts) will be tested for the effect of the genes with cv. Golden Promise as the wildtype control.

Harvesting T2 seeds of potential barley mutants in a tunnelhouse at AU Flakkebjerg, which is certified for growing GM plants. Photo: Thomas Tsige.

Growing young barley seedlings in the greenhouse for DNA extraction. Photo: Brita Dahl Jensen

Setting up PCR to amplify target genes. Photos: Brita Dahl Jensen

Loading gels to detect and excise PCR products for sequencing - to identify and characterize CRISPR/Cas9 gene edited mutants. Photo: Brita Dahl Jensen

Designing a germination assay to test homozygous mutants for drought tolerance. Photo: Brita Dahl Jensen

We had the first snowfall in November. This was a good opportunity to get out of the laboratory to build a snowman - for the first time for our Ethiopian colleagues. Photo: Charlotte Hamann Knudsen.

Revised 10.12.2025

Charlotte Hamann Knudsen