About event
Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a soil bacterium historically known for causing crown gall disease in plants. However, unlike most pathogens, Agrobacterium has the unique ability to transfer DNA into plant cells, permanently modifying their genome. This discovery transformed plant science, providing a powerful tool for genetic transformation in both fundamental research and agricultural biotechnology.
Although alternative methods such as biolistic particle bombardment, electroporation, and polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation exist, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation remains the method of choice for many plant species. It is highly efficient and tends to produce single or low-copy-number transgene insertions with well-defined integration sites, minimizing genetic instability.
This lecture will review the historical identification and characterization of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and how scientists repurposed it for plant genetic transformation. We will also review recent advancements in engineering Agrobacterium strains to enhance their transformation efficiency and broaden their applicability to diverse plant species. These innovations continue to refine plant biotechnology, accelerating the development of improved crops for sustainable agriculture.
