Gene-Editing for Production Traits in Forest Trees: Challenges to Integration and Gene Target Identification

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thanks for this in depth and high quality review. 

We have responded to all of the reviews in the attached files and the revision that  shows revision marks.  

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This is an excellent review about the possible applications and roadblocks in using CRISPR in forest trees. This review builds on the excellent expertise of the authors in tree biotechnology and molecular genetics. They provided a very detailed list of scientific papers and reviews describing CRISPR technology approaches in trees with clear examples in other organisms (model plants and crops as well as from the medical field). The authors highlighted recent innovative studies using CRISPR technology in various biological systems and also provide key examples of the potential applications in tree species. I very much like the approach taken by the authors considering the complexity of the topic and the goal of producing a brief comprehensive document.

The authors provided a table and a figure to facilitate the understanding and integration of the large number of publications described. Several citations refer to model systems such as Arabidopsis, which would increase the interest for this review for a general plant audience.

Overall, this is an excellent and detailed review of the important and complex literature in the field of CRISPR gene editing with a judicious choice of key examples. The manuscript is well balanced and agreeably explained using key example to facilitate the comprehension of the topic by the reader.

Author Response

Thank you for recognizing the value of our work.  

Reviewer 3 Report

A well balanced and valuable contribution to the discussion on the merit of gene editing in forest trees

The paper should have a wide audience among researchers with interests in  forest trees or gene editing.  As someone with long term interests in biotechnology and genetic engineering but in need of an update on where the technology sits, I found the paper particularly rewarding, given its relative brevity but clear and well supported thesis. Policy makers and those involved in research management and evaluation will likely find it particularly valuable because of clearly articulated and argued areas for future research focus.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this update

Author Response

Thank you for recognizing the value of our work.