SGER: The Development of an in PlantaTransformation Technology to Facilitate Functional Genomics in Wheat

University Of Tennessee Institute Of Agriculture, Knoxville TN

Investigators

Abstract

PI: Janice M. Zale (University of Tennessee) CoPI: Katrien M. Devos (University of Georgia) Current wheat transformation technologies are technically difficult, time-consuming, labor intensive, expensive, and rely upon a tissue culture phase. Furthermore, there are no transformation technologies that facilitate testing of candidate genes for small or large scale functional genomics. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of a high throughput transformation technology, particularly in recalcitrant crop species such as wheat. The goal of this project is to address this need and develop an efficient in planta transformation protocol for use in wheat similar to that used for the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The specific objectives are to (1) develop and optimize a standard in planta protocol using the wheat line Crocus and generate T-DNA tagged wheat transformants and (2) sequence and map the T-DNA insertion sites of 12 independent Crocus transformants to validate that the transformants are genuine, stable, and as a first step in producing T-DNA tagged lines. Broader Impacts: The development of such a protocol would have a tremendous impact for functional genomics in wheat and potentially in other cereals. In addition, the project will provide for training of undergraduate and graduate students and for the broad dissemination of research results in papers, seminars, and conference presentations.