Bharati, Rohit, Mogilicherla, Kanakachari, Dušek, Jakub, Moller, Svenning, Peng, Qi, Maruthi, M. N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8060-866X, Moravec, Tomáš, Roy, Amit and Kundu, Jiban K. (2026) Silencing to illuminate: virus-induced gene silencing for accelerated dissection of gene function. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. pp. 1-36. ISSN 0735-2689 (Print), 1549-7836 (Online) (doi:10.1080/07352689.2026.2681404)

PDF (Author's Accepted Manuscript) 53588 MARUTHI_Silencing_To_Illuminate_Virus-Induced_Gene_(AAM)_2026.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 13 June 2027. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The post-genomic era has significantly advanced the identification of target genes through high-throughput methodologies, such as routine transcriptomics, single-cell sequencing, genome-wide association studies, spatial transcriptomics, and machine learning-based gene-prediction pipelines. Nevertheless, the swift identification of candidate genes has surpassed their functional validation, creating a critical bottleneck in translating genomic discoveries into agricultural innovations. The functional analysis of gene roles remains crucial for understanding plant resilience mechanisms. However, functional genomics methods, including stable genetic transformation, transgenic knockouts, and chemical mutagenesis, are excessively slow, labor-intensive, and costly, particularly for non-model crops and polyploid species. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has emerged as a transformative reverse genetics tool that addresses this gap by enabling rapid, transient, and cost-effective functional validation without necessitating stable genetic modification. This review comprehensively outlines the biology of VIGS, tracing the evolution of viral vector design and technical optimizations for enhanced silencing efficiency. We examine the applications of VIGS across essential agronomic areas, including resilience to abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, and cold; defense against biotic factors like pathogens and insects; developmental biology; and plant-microbe interactions. This analysis highlights VIGS's versatility across both model and crop species. Comparative analysis with CRISPR-Cas9, stable RNAi, and other functional genomics platforms highlights VIGS's unique advantages, including speed, accessibility, and broad host range. Challenges, including variable silencing efficiency, viral symptom interference, and off-target effects, are addressed through mechanistic insights into silencing suppressors and vector optimization strategies. Collectively, VIGS represents a scalable, non-transgenic solution for accelerating functional validation pipelines, supporting climate-resilient crop breeding, and democratizing functional genomics to address global food security in the post-genomic era.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	"AR acknowledges “Excellent team Grants 2025-2026” from FLD, CZU, for financial support." - Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. Scheme: “Excellent Team Grants 2025–2026” (faculty-level internal grant).
Uncontrolled Keywords:	abiotic stress, biotic stress, CRISPR-CAS9, crop protection, functional genomics, genome editing, plant viruses, reverse genetics, RNA interference, VIGS.
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics Q Science > QK Botany Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Centre for Sustainable Agriculture 4 One Health Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Centre for Sustainable Agriculture 4 One Health > Plant Disease & Vectors
Last Modified:	15 Jun 2026 15:24
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53588

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