Crop Transformation & Genome Editing

The Crop Transformation and Genome Editing Unit has a long history of wheat transformation research and has developed optimised protocols for both particle bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, successfully transforming over 40 different wheat and wheat-related varieties, including durum wheat. Both internal projects and external contracts can be supported with costs being dependent on the service required.

Advice is available on all aspects of transformation from the design stages such as suggesting promoters to drive transgene expression or providing appropriate cloning constructs for either overexpression of genes or their down-regulation by RNAi, to assistance to taking transgenic lines to field trial.

Recently, we have expanded our range of transformed crop species, which currently includes rice (Oryza sativa, both indica and japonica cultivars), oilseed rape (Brassica napus), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

We are also at the cutting edge of genome editing, a technology which offers the possibility to generate highly targeted mutations in the host genome. Success has already been achieved in modifying specific target genes in wheat, rice and tomato, and we are delighted to add this method to the range of services offered.