Plant Genetic Engineering (GE) is an artificial alteration of the genetic make-up of a plant.

GE is used to take genes and segments of DNA from one

species, e.g. fish, and put them into another species, e.g. tomato. Agrobacterium and Gene gun transformation methods are commonly used.

Agrobacterium Gene gun

DNA with desired Gene
identified and isolated

DNA/Gene replication
Gene inserted into vector
using restriction enzymes

Modified vector introduced

into Agrobacterium
tumefaciens
Tungsten or gold
particles coated
with DNA

Gene/Particle gun

Infection of plant
cell with Agrobacteria DNA transferred to Bombardment of
plant cells plant cell with
particles

Plant Cell

Chromosome with gene

X
Nucleus

Screening for transformed

X
cells with selectable markers
Cell regeneration to
produce transgenic plants

Test the transgenic plant

for gene expression in
len
Pol greenhouse and field trials

Or

Transgenic
Preferred cutivars
with desired gene
Transgenic crop
released for Incoporate new gene into preferred Non-transgenic
released for
commercialization cultivars by conventional breeding
commercialization

Uganda National Council for Science and Technology Program for Biosafety Systems