The transformation of animals and plants into personalized decoration or art through gene editing technology is an innovative field that combines biology, art and technology. The following are the scientific methods and precautions to achieve this goal： --- ###**First, the core principle** Gene editing technologies (such as CRISPR-Cas9) regulate pigment synthesis, morphological development, or special protein expression in organisms by targeting and modifying DNA sequences, thereby achieving changes in color, shape, and even luminescence. --- ###**2. Specific technical path** #### **1. Color change** -**Plant**： - **Regulation of anthocyanins**: Edit anthocyanin synthesis genes (such as MYB transcription factor) to change the color of flowers or leaves (such as the cultivation of blue roses). -**Introduction of exogenous pigments**: The green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene of jellyfish is introduced to make plants emit light under ultraviolet light (such as fluorescent tobacco). -**Animals**： -**Pigment cell editing**: By knocking out melanin genes (such as MC1R) to make zebrafish lose their stripes, or activating fluorescent protein genes (such as GloFish ornamental fish). #### **2. Morphological transformation** -**Plant**： -**Miniaturization**: Inhibit the gibberellin synthesis gene (GA20-oxidase) and cultivate bonsai-style mini plants. -**Structural remodeling**: Edit genes that control branching (such as the TCP family) to create spiral growth or symmetrical leaves. -**Animals**： -**Body shape control**: Regulate growth hormone genes (such as GH/IGF-1 axis) to cultivate miniature pets (such as pocket jellyfish). -**Pattern design**: Use Gene Circuit to control the pigment distribution of butterfly wing scales to generate geometric patterns. --- ###**Three, the operation steps** 1. **Target design**: Clarify artistic needs (such as fluorescence, gradient colors, or specific shapes). 2. **Genetic screening**: Locate relevant functional genes through bioinformatics databases (such as NCBI). 3. **Vector construction**: Design CRISPR sgRNA and donor DNA, or synthesize exogenous gene expression boxes. 4. **Delivery system**： -Plants: Agrobacterium transformation (such as leaf disc method) or gene gun. -Animals: microinjection (embryonic stage) or viral vectors (such as lentiviruses). 5. **Phenotypic verification**: Screen successfully edited individuals and detect color/morphological changes (such as spectral analysis, microscopic imaging). --- ###**Fourth, art application cases** - **Biological neon lights**: Luminous algae (modified by the lux gene) are implanted in a transparent glass container to form a self-luminous device. -**Living sculpture**: Guide transgenic vines (such as directional growth gene ROP) to cling and form through 3D printing scaffolds. -**Dynamic discoloration**: Edit the promoter that senses the pH of the environment (such as the pH-responsive promoter) to make the moss change color with pH. --- ###**5. Challenges and Ethics** -**Technical bottleneck**: The complexity of multi-gene regulation (such as the need to coordinate multiple pigment pathways for color gradients). -**Biosafety**: Prevent genetic contamination (reproductive isolation or gene drive blocking technology is required). - **Ethical disputes**: Animal welfare issues (such as whether changing morphology affects survivability). -**Regulatory restrictions**: Most countries have strict approval for the commercialization of genetically modified organisms (such as the EU's GMO regulations). --- ###**6. Future outlook** -**Synthetic biology tools**: Use DNA origami to program biological forms. -**AI-assisted design**: Predict the phenotypes after gene editing through deep learning and accelerate artistic customization. -**Reversible editing**: Develop light-controlled or chemically induced gene switches to achieve real-time regulation of color/morphology. --- Through interdisciplinary cooperation (biologists + artists), gene editing is expected to transform natural life into “living works of art”, but it requires a careful balance between technological innovation and ethical responsibility.