UC Davis Scientists Achieve Breakthrough in Developing Celiac-Safe Wheat by Deleting Gluten Genes
Revolutionizing Wheat: A Scientific Leap Toward Gluten-Free Tolerance In a groundbreaking advancement in genetic crop engineering , a team of researchers from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) has successfully eliminated a gene cluster in wheat responsible for producing the gluten proteins that trigger immune reactions in individuals suffering from celiac disease . Published in the prestigious journal Theoretical and Applied Genetics , this transformative study introduces a new era for wheat genetics and public health. Understanding Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease Wheat , one of the most essential staples globally, owes its elastic dough properties and palatable texture to gluten proteins —a composite of gliadins and glutenins . However, for the estimated 1 in 100 people worldwide with celiac disease , consuming gluten leads to a destructive autoimmune response that damages the small ...