First insights to SolycMYB80 candidate gene for the induction of male sterility in tomato through new presicion breeeding techniques

Male sterility (MS) trait in plants is defined like the failure to produce functional anthers, pollen, or male gametes. Integrating MS into plant breeding programs is a critical task to reduce the cost of hybrid seed production and ensure high varietal purity for the production of F1 hybrids in many horticultural crops. For this reason, this trait in the horticultural sector is deeply investigated. The recent developments in genome editing (GE) technology have opened a new era to study gene function and develop new plant cultivars suitable for any condition. The latest version of the GE technology, based on CRISPR/Cas9 methodology, provides a potential method for producing MS lines in several species. In this work we describe the setting of preliminary stages for developing of a CRISPR/Cas9-based breeding strategy for the implementation of MS trait in the model systems of Solanaceae, Solanum lycopersicum cv. Microtom. The final goal of the project is the generation of CRISPR/Cas-edited DNA-free plant material mediating transient protoplast transfection system, by direct delivery of a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) preassembled complex, consisting of purified Cas9 protein and in vitro synthetized single guide RNA molecules