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Methods of Genetic Transformation: Electroporation and Polyethylene Glycol Treatment

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Molecular improvement of cereal crops

Part of the book series: Advances in Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plants ((CMBP,volume 5))

Abstract

Methods for direct gene transfer into protoplasts via polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment and electroporation were developed in early 1980’s. Genetic transformation of protoplasts led to the production of the first transgenic cereals. This paper describes events leading up to the stable transformation of protoplasts via these techniques, the possible mechanisms involved, the improvement of the methods, and their application to the molecular improvement of cereals. While no longer the predominant method for transforming cereal crops, protoplast transformation still plays an important role in basic studies of gene regulation and function, understanding of the transformation process, and in the production of transgenic crops, particularly of many grass species.

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  1. Agrevo USA Co., 703 NOR-AM Road, P. O. Box 538, Pikeville, NC, 27863, USA

    Ray Shillito

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  1. Laboratory of Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Indra K. Vasil

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Shillito, R. (1999). Methods of Genetic Transformation: Electroporation and Polyethylene Glycol Treatment. In: Vasil, I.K. (eds) Molecular improvement of cereal crops. Advances in Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plants, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4802-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4802-3_2

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