Efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation service for functional genomics in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Thierry Risacher*, Tina L. Barsby

Biogemma UK. Ltd, 200, Science Park, Milton road, Cambridge, CB4 0GZ, UK

*Corresponding Author: PH: +44 1223 723333; E-mail: thierry.risacher@biogemma.com

ABSTRACT

Biogemma UK has been working on wheat transformation for a decade. In the recent years an efficient, Agrobacterium based transformation method for wheat has been developed. Based on the inoculation of immature embryos in the seed, a routine 4% transformation efficiency is attained. With Agrobacterium transformed plants, a high proportion containing single insertions and without any undesired plasmid sequence is obtained compared to direct transformation methods.

This method is now used to identify the function of genes coming from genomic projects in wheat. A range of constructs has been designed to accelerate and simplify the cloning of genes in Agrobacterium vectors, for over-expression or down-regulation of genes, either constitutively or specifically in the endosperm.

Marker elimination has also been achieved by co-transformation. The Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method is used to produce transgenic wheat plants for functional genomics and for commercial purposes.

Biogemma can propose an efficient transformation service for gene validation in wheat bypassing the need for model species thus giving also a more accurate result directly in the crop.