Tuesday, 12 February 2019

genetics - Is it possible to genetically modify a plant at home?


Would I be able to genetically modify a plant at home? What equipment will be necessary? I think it might be a fun change from the 'norm' of regular hybridisation, to try some inter-family gene insertion, instead of staying within a genus. Are some plants easier to modify than others?



Answer



Well, that depends on your home. ;) I think it is not an easy process.


There are two main methods that are used to genetically modify plants:


Using the bacterium, Agrobacterium tumifaciens, as a vector for the DNA. Agrobacterium has the ability to infect plants and insert DNA into a plant's genome. It causes crown gall tumours in natural infections. This method has mainly been used to modify broad leaved plants, such as sugar beet and oilseed rape, but is now also being applied to monocot species, such as maize and rice


Particle bombardment or biolistics where the DNA to be inserted is coated on minute gold particles and fired into plants cells. This approach is used for monocot plants such as maize and rice


Here I found simple step by step article, but lil bit old. may be there are new methods for this process. How To Genetically Modify a Seed, Step By Step


No comments:

Post a Comment

evolution - Are there any multicellular forms of life which exist without consuming other forms of life in some manner?

The title is the question. If additional specificity is needed I will add clarification here. Are there any multicellular forms of life whic...