Marker Genes for Selection and Scoring of Cells OR Calluses OR Shoots, Tissues, Antibiotic, Herbicide, Kanamycin, Marker Genes

www.molecular-plant-biotechnology.info

Home >> Gene Transfer Methods in Plants >> Marker Genes for Selection and Scoring of Cells OR Calluses OR Shoots

	Marker Genes for Selection and Scoring of Cells OR Calluses OR Shoots - After explants are inoculated with Agrobacterium carrying the requisite vector having the gene of interest, we need to select the transformed cells/tissues. This is facilitated by the presence of selectable marker genes available in the vector. The selectable marker genes enable the transformed cells to survive in media containing toxic levels of the selection agent, which is usually an antibiotic or a herbicide.
Tobacco is used as a model transformation system, where explants (e.g. leaf discs) are placed on regeneration medium containing an antibiotic like kanamycin and transformed shoots can be obtained directly. Any cells, which are not transformed, die due to the presence of kanamycin. Other antibiotics and herbicides may require more judicious use, since even low concentrations can cause rapid cell death. In some cases, selection is exercised only after the regeneration is achieved, because adventitious root formation is sensitive to antibiotics.