TRANSGENIC PLANTS
Presented To: Dr. Kashif Rahim
Presented By: Fatima Tuz Zahra

TRANSGENIC PLANTS
Transgene:
• It is a foreign gene or genetic material that has been transferred
by genetic engineering techniques from one organism to
another.
Transgenesis:
• The process of introduction of exogenous DNA into the genome.
Transgenic Plant:
• The plant whose genome is altered by adding one or more
transgenes

TRANSGENIC PLANTS
History
• 1982, 1st transgenic plant produced which is tobacco plant.
• 1984, 1st successful plant genetic engineering experiments using
caulimovirus vector
• 1994, 1st genetically modified crop approved for sale in U.S. was
FlavrSavr tomato.
• 1995, 1st pesticide producing crop, Bt. potato was approved by
U.S. Environment protection department.

TRANSGENIC PLANTS
• 1996, 1st genetically modified flower Moondust, bluish colored
carnation, was introduced.
• 2000, Golden rice with ß-carotene developed with increased
nutrient value.

Applications:
• Resistance to Biotic stresses
Insect resistance
Bacterial resistance
Virus resistance
• Resistance to Abiotic stresses
Temperature
Drought
Salinity
TRANSGENIC PLANTS

• Valuable tool in studies
• Improved coloration
• Pharmaceuticals and vaccines products
• Improvement of crop yield and quality
• Phytoremediation
Popular tree
TRANSGENIC PLANTS

PRODUCTION OF TRANSGENIC
PLANTS
Methods
Recombinant DNA
Selection and isolation of desired gene
Insertion of gene into vector
Transformation
Agrobacterium gene transfer
Gene gun method (also called Particle gun method)
Electroporation method

AGROBACTERIUM MEDIATED
GENE TRANSFER
• Agrobacterium is treated as nature’s most effective plant genetic
engineer
• The bacterium releases T-DNA segment of Ti plasmid into the
plant cell cytoplasm which induce crown gall disease
• Several dicots are affected by this disease e.g. Grapes, Roses etc.

AGROBACTERIUM MEDIATED
GENE TRANSFER

ELECTROPORATION
• The process in which an
electricity is applied to cell
membrane to form pores on its
surface for transfer of foreign
gene.
• If DNA is present in the buffer
solution at sufficient
concentration, it will be taken up
through these pores.
• Protoplast is used in this process.

ELECTROPORATION
• Protoplast and gene of interest are placed in a solution and
electric pluses are given
• Foreign DNA then integrated into plant genome

GENE GUN
• Also known as Biolistic, particle
gun, bio blaster or micro
projectile bombardment.
• Process occurs with a highly
accelerated velocity into the plant
cell nuclei
• Introduction of DNA into the cell
using micro projectile
• DNA coated particles shot into
target cell

EXAMPLES
• Golden rice
• Flavr savr Tomato
• Colorful cauliflower
• Tearless onion
• Purple rose
• BT cotton
• Alfalfa

GOLDEN RICE
• Transgenic technology produced a
type of rice that accumulates ß-
carotene in rice grains.
• When it is consumed, b-carotene
is converted into vitamin-A
• It contain 37mg/g of carotenoid
of which 84% is ß-carotene.

FLAVR SAVR TOMATO
• This is produced by antisense
technology.
• The polygalactouronase gene,
which is responsible for fruit
decay is silenced.

BT COTTON
• Bt cotton is a genetically modified
crop that is resistant to pest
bollworm.

BT CORN
• Corn modified with a bacterial
insecticide gene so that it
produces insect toxins within its
cells, protecting it from pest
species.

TRANSGENIC PLANTS
• Advantages
1. Increase yields
2. Rich in nutrients
3. Resistance to biotic and abiotic
stresses
• Disadvantages
1. May cause allergic reactions
2. Loss of biodiversity
3. GM crops could cross breed
with wild crops and
contaminate them with
unexpected results.

Thank you!