Abstract: A banana plant comprising a genome comprising a loss of function mutation in a nucleic acid sequence encoding a component in an ethylene biosynthesis pathway of the banana is provided. Also provides is a method of increasing shelf-life of banana.

Abstract: A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a non-coding RNA molecule having no RNA silencing activity in a plant cell is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent conferring a silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a RNA silencing molecule in a plant cell is also disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent which redirects the silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. Plant cells, plant seeds, plants, and methods of generating plants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a non-coding RNA molecule having no RNA silencing activity in a plant cell is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent conferring a silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a RNA silencing molecule in a plant cell is also disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent which redirects the silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. Plant cells, plant seeds, plants, and methods of generating plants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a non-coding RNA molecule having no RNA silencing activity in a plant cell is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent conferring a silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a RNA silencing molecule in a plant cell is also disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent which redirects the silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. Plant cells, plant seeds, plants, and methods of generating plants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a long dsRNA molecule in a plant cell that is capable of silencing a pest gene is provided, the method comprising: (a) selecting m a genome of a plant a nucleic acid sequence encoding a silencing molecule having a plant gene as a target, the silencing molecule capable of recruiting RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp); and (b) modifying a nucleic acid sequence of the plant gene so as to impart a silencing specificity towards the pest gene, such that a transcript of the plant gene comprising the silencing specificity forms base complementation with said silencing molecule capable of recruiting said RdRp to produce the long dsRNA molecule capable of silencing the pest gene, thereby producing the long dsRNA molecule m the plant cell that is capable of silencing the pest gene.

Abstract: A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a non-coding RNA molecule having no RNA silencing activity in a eukaryotic cell, wherein the gene encoding or processed into the non-coding RNA molecule is positioned in a coding gene, is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the eukaryotic cell a DNA editing agent conferring a silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. Target RNA of interest include, for example, a transcript of a gene selected from the group consisting of a housekeeping gene, a dominant gene, a gene comprising a high copy number, and a gene associated with cell apoptosis. Methods comprising DNA or RNA editing agents which elicit base editing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating an RNA molecule having a silencing activity in a cell is provided, comprising: (a) identifying nucleic acid sequences encoding RNA molecules exhibiting predetermined sequence homology range, not including complete identity, with respect to nucleic acid sequences encoding RNA molecules engaged with RISC, (b) determining transcription of nucleic acid sequences encoding RNA molecules so as to select transcribable nucleic acid sequences encoding RNA molecules; (c) determining processability into small RNAs of transcripts of transcribable nucleic acid sequences encoding RNA molecules exhibiting predetermined sequence homology range so as to select transcribable nucleic acid sequences encoding aberrantly processed RNA molecules exhibiting predetermined sequence homology range; (d) modifying a nucleic acid sequence of aberrantly processed, transcribable nucleic acid sequences so as to impart processability into small RNAs that are engaged with RISC and are complementary to a first target RNA o

Abstract: A coffee plant comprising a genome comprising a loss of function mutation in a nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one component of a caffeine biosynthesis pathway is disclosed. Methods of producing a coffee plant or part thereof, methods of producing coffee beans with reduced caffeine content, and methods of producing coffee with reduced caffeine content are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coffee plant comprising a genome comprising a loss of function mutation in a nucleic acid sequence encoding alpha-D-galactosidase. Also provided is a method of increasing extractability of solids from coffee beans. In addition there is provided a method of producing soluble coffee.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid agent is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite. Compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a non-coding RNA molecule having no RNA silencing activity in a eukaryotic cell, with the proviso that said eukaryotic cell is not a plant cell, is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the eukaryotic cell a DNA editing agent conferring a silencing specificity of said non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a RNA silencing molecule to a target RNA in a eukaryotic cell is also disclosed. Methods of disease prevention and treatment, methods of inducing cell apoptosis and methods of generating a eukaryotic non-human organism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a non-coding RNA molecule having no RNA silencing activity in a plant cell is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent conferring a silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. A method of modifying a gene encoding or processed into a RNA silencing molecule in a plant cell is also disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant cell a DNA editing agent which redirects the silencing specificity of the non-coding RNA molecule towards a target RNA of interest. Plant cells, plant seeds, plants, and methods of generating plants are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs for use in a method of selecting cells comprising a genome editing event, the method comprising (a) transforming cells of a plant of interest with the nucleic acid construct; (b) selecting transformed cells exhibiting fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent reporter using flow cytometry or imaging; and (c) culturing the transformed cells comprising the genome editing event by the DNA editing agent for a time sufficient to lose expression of the DNA editing agent so as to obtain cells which comprise a genome editing event generated by the DNA editing agent but lack DNA encoding the DNA editing agent.

Abstract: A banana plant comprising a genome comprising a loss of function mutation in a nucleic acid sequence encoding a component in an ethylene biosynthesis pathway of the banana is provided. Also provides is a method of increasing shelf-life of banana.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to methods and compositions for delivering polynucleotides into plant cells having a cell wall, and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods of delivering dsRNA into plant cells and plants. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for delivering the polynucleotides through the cell wall and enhancing fitness, vigor, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid agent is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite. Compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of enhancing resistance of a mosquito to a pathogen is disclosed. The method comprising administering to a mosquito an isolated nucleic acid agent comprising a nucleic acid sequence which specifically downregulates an expression of at least one mosquito or pathogen gene wherein a product of said mosquito or pathogen gene participates in infection and/or growth of the pathogen in the mosquito.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid agent is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite. Compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter for mosquito control is provided. The composition comprises a cell which comprises an exogenous naked dsRNA which specifically down-regulates expression of a gene being endogenous to a mosquito or which specifically down-regulated expression of a gene being endogenous to a mosquito pathogen. Further provided is a composition-of-matter for mosquito control, comprising a cell comprising a nucleic acid larvicide. Also provided are methods of producing and using the compositions.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pathogenically infected mosquito is disclosed. The method comprising administering to a larva of a mosquito an isolated nucleic acid agent comprising a nucleic acid sequence which specifically downregulates an expression of at least one mosquito pathogen resistance gene product of the mosquito, wherein downregulation of the expression of the at least one mosquito pathogen resistance gene in the larvae renders an adult stage of the mosquito lethally susceptible to the pathogen, thereby controlling the pathogenically infected mosquito.