APPLICATION OF THE BIOLISTIC METHOD FOR GRAPEVINE GENETIC TRANSFORMATION

Authors:	J.R. Kikkert, J.R. Vidal, B.I. Reisch
Keywords:	gene gun, microparticle bombardment, microprojectile bombardment, particle bombardment, particle gun, Vitis
Abstract: Biolistics® (particle bombardment) is a widely used method for genetic transformation, however, it has been less frequently employed in grapevines compared to Agrobacterium. Our laboratory used biolistics to obtain high frequency transformation and regeneration of ‘Chancellor’ (hybrid) grapevine and Vitis vinifera L. ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Pinot noir’ grapevines. Between 1,000 and 8,000 cells per plate that transiently expressed -glucuronidase (GUS) were obtained. In ‘Chancellor’ nearly 100 putatively kanamycin resistant embryos were obtained per plate, whereas in the vinifera cultivars typical rates were 3 to 10 embryos per plate. Roughly 50% of the embryos of each cultivar were regenerated into plants. Tips for success as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the biolistic method are discussed.
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