Recently, I came across two fascinating CRISPR applications in apples and I had to share them!!
1.Most of us know how CRISPR cures this and that. But what if I told you, CRISPR doesnāt just save livesā¦ It also gives fruits their aroma 
?
Did you ever wonder CRISPR the tool which is widely used to treat diseases, such as Alzheimerās disease, obesity, genetic disorders and cancer etc can now enhance aroma of a fruit? 
Well yes Researchers from Shandong Agricultural University in China did it. The research team overexpressed an abiotic stress gene MdASG1 to increase the production of volatile aroma compounds in apples, thatās not it , this even resulted in a more salt-stress tolerant fruit.
Thatās 2 good news isnāt it ?
So what does these volatile organic compounds do in plants? Well these act as signals to respond to pests, pathogens, and other environmental stressors.
Apple is a commercial tree producing roughly 350 volatile chemicals as the fruit ripens.
Researchers at Shandong Agricultural University edited two genes:
MdASG1 (a stress-response gene)
MdLOX1a (a ripening gene)
2.CRISPR doesnt just stop at aroma, it bends the tree too!
Sounds wild? Let me explain.
At Cornell University, scientists identified a rare gene called MdLAYZY1A, responsible for the āweepingā growth in apple trees, where branches grow downward.
Downward branches are favored by apple farmers because it improves crop productivity by helping the trees allocate more carbon and other nutrients.
The farmers usually tie down branches (to manually bend branches) when they are young which entails additional labor costs.
This gene is found in less than 1% of apple trees, but now that itās identified, researchers are exploring CRISPR-Cas9 to develop apple cultivars that naturally grow this way.
SMART!!