Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms | 1510 - Corn (for sweetcorn use 1480) | 1040 - Molecular biology | 30% |
| 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms | 1530 - Rice | 1040 - Molecular biology | 20% |
| 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms | 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops | 1040 - Molecular biology | 20% |
| 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms | 1540 - Hard red winter wheat | 1040 - Molecular biology | 10% |
| 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms | 1541 - Hard red spring wheat | 1040 - Molecular biology | 10% |
| 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms | 1542 - Soft red wheat | 1040 - Molecular biology | 10% |
Objective 1. Develop optimized transformation vectors for transgenic HLB resistant citrus production. Utilization of an anti-apoptotic gene (anti-death) to reduce the rate of cell death during transformation, increasing the rate of cells surviving transformation. Employ a plant optimized DSRed gene for early, non-destructive, detection of transformed tissue. Use novel recombinases, previously developed, for site specific gene stacking and/or marker gene excision for precise genomic modification during transformation. Use of novel plant derived genetic elements, previously identified, will allow creation of transformation enhancing plant specific constructs for precision breeding technology. The resulting citrus trees will contain citrus derived resistance genes and the capacity for recombinase-mediated gene stacking. These vectors will be designed to introduce potential HLB disease resistance genes to citrus during the transformation development stage of the research. We are in collaboration with an ARS scientist and a Texas A&M scientist for their research on resistance genes to the HLB pathogen. Objectives 2. Develop improved transformation protocol via agro-bacterium. Investigate meristematic budwood for transformation and regeneration technique using traditional agro-bacterium and the enhanced transformation vector from Objective 1. Techniques and media for cell culture and selection will be investigated to maximize rates of transformation, selection of transgenic cells and cell survival.