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Plant Genetics and GMOs

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research on genes, proteins and cells. It also funds studies on fundamental processes such as how cells communicate, how our bodies use energy and how we respond to medicines. The results of this research increase our understanding of life and lay the foundation for advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The Institute's research training programs produce the next generation of scientists, and NIGMS has programs to increase the diversity of the biomedical and behavioral research workforce. NIGMS supported the research of most of the scientists mentioned in this booklet.

Figures (10)

Selective breeding enlarged desired traits of the wild cabbage plant (Brassica oleracea) over hundreds of years, resulting in dozens of today's agricultural crops. Cabbage, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower are all cultivars of this plant.
The Yecoro wheat (right) cultivar is sensitive to salinity, plants resulting from a hybrid cross with cultivar W4910 (left) show greater tolerance to high salinity
Garton's catalogue from 1902
In vitro-culture of Vitis (grapevine), Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute
Agricultural research on potato plants
Modern facilities in molecular biology are now used in plant breeding.
A gene gun uses biolistics to insert DNA into plant tissue.
Herbert Boyer (pictured) and Stanley Cohen created the first genetically modified organism in 1973.
In 1974, Rudolf Jaenisch created the first genetically modified animal.
Tissue culture used to regenerate Arabidopsis thaliana

Key Points

  • The legislation covering GMOs are often derived from regulations and guidelines in place for the non-GMO version of the organism, although they are more severe.
  • As such the transgenic tools and procedures are well established making tobacco one of the easiest plants to transform.
  • First, is all in one plasmid, where sgRNA and Cas9 are produced simultaneously in a transfected cell.
  • Other strategies include attaching the gene to a strong promoter and see what happens when it is overexpressed, forcing a gene to be expressed in a different location or at different developmental stages.
  • Gene flow, impact on non-target organisms, and escape are the major environmental concerns.

Terms

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Sources & licensing(4)