Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Insects

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 2026

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Interests: CRISPR technology and synthetic biology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The CRISPR/Cas9 revolution has transformed our capacity to manipulate genetic material, and its application in insects holds extraordinary promise for addressing challenges in agriculture, public health, and ecological sustainability. From controlling disease vectors like mosquitoes to enhancing pest management and helping us to understand fundamental biological processes, CRISPR/Cas9 offers unprecedented tools to unravel gene functions, engineer insect traits, and develop innovative solutions for global issues. However, significant challenges remain: efficient delivery systems, off-target effects, species-specific editing barriers, and ethical considerations all demand urgent attention.

This Special Issue invites researchers to explore the full spectrum of CRISPR/Cas9 applications in insects. We welcome original research, reviews, and methodological advances covering topics such as gene drive design, functional genomics, ecological impact modeling, and ethical frameworks for field deployment. By bringing together cutting-edge discoveries, we aim to catalyze breakthroughs that bridge laboratory innovations with real-world applications. Your contributions will help shape the future of insect biotechnology—please consider joining this vital conversation.

Dr. Sanyuan Ma
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • genome editing
  • gene targeting
  • CRISPR/Cas9
  • insect genetics
  • pest control
  • disease vector control
  • gene drive
  • off-target effects
  • delivery systems
  • ecological impact
  • transgenic insects
  • functional genomics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

28 pages, 1118 KB  
Review
CRISPR-Mediated Silkworm: The Oncoming Agricultural Revolutions and a Rising Model Organism
by Qiaoling Sun, Yongkang Guo, Liting Wang, Ling Jia, Peng Wei and Sanyuan Ma
Genes 2026, 17(2), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17020230 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1575
Abstract
The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is essential to sericulture and is also becoming a key model organism in genomics and agriculture. For decades, genetic studies of the silkworm were limited by inefficient and inflexible genome tools. CRISPR genome editing allows precise and [...] Read more.
The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is essential to sericulture and is also becoming a key model organism in genomics and agriculture. For decades, genetic studies of the silkworm were limited by inefficient and inflexible genome tools. CRISPR genome editing allows precise and scalable alterations to genes regulating development, physiology, and industrial traits. This review summarizes silkworm genome-editing breakthroughs, highlighting CRISPR’s evolution from simple gene knockouts to large-scale genome-wide screening. We highlight how these advancements contribute to disease resistance, higher yields, and the development of new silk-based materials, as well as how they influence the development and growth rate of the sericulture. The creation of high-quality reference genomes, pangenomes, and genome-wide screening systems has made the silkworm a major model for integrating multiple biological datasets and approaches, such as genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic. By considering the unique biological characteristics of the silkworm, this provides new insights for research on silk biology, piRNA synthetic biology, and hormonal signaling regulation. Finally, we examine new areas at the intersection of CRISPR, pangenomics, and artificial intelligence (AI) and suggest future paths for molecular breeding, pest control, and synthetic biology. Moreover, AI-assisted prediction of CRISPR outcomes is utilized to inform the design of targeted trait modifications, representing an approach to enhancing biomanufacturing efficiency and eco-friendly silk production. Together, these advances have made the silkworm a flexible genetic platform and an important part of sustainable agriculture and biomanufacturing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Insects)
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