|
A popular method for introducing genes into plants uses Agrobacterium tumefaciens (a plant pathogen). This bacterium infects plant cells with weak or injured cell walls. The desired plasmids are integrated via the T-DNA into the infected plant cells chromosomes. The plant is regenerated from the transformed cells. Pre-cultured rice embryos are inoculated with the plasmid carrying bacteria . The presence of the desired genes is analyzed using DNA restriction enzyme digestion (Ye, et.al). Seeds are collected from the transformed plans and are grown and tested for the presence of beta-carotene. Using HPLC, the concentration of beta-carotene and the other desired carotenoids are tested. This method of plant transformation is used to insert genes coding for proteins to carry out the last steps in the pathway to produce beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin (Roller). |