MadSci Network: Molecular Biology
Query:

Subject: Will a plasmid like pGL2 be compatible with Agrobacterium tumefaciens?

Date: Wed Oct 11 15:12:52 2006
Posted by Stephanie
Grade level: undergrad School: Palm Beach Atlantic University
City: West Palm Beach State/Province: FL Country: 33406
Area of science: Molecular Biology
ID: 1160604772.Mb
Message:

Hi there, I am a molecular biology student looking to perform a research 
project on transformation. I have noticed kits from websites like Ward's that 
allow a student to transform a strain of E. coli with the pGL2 plasmid. The 
result is a strain of E. coli that contains a gene that codes for luciferinase 
production, which will produce a 'glow' upon reaction with the chemical 
luciferin (or another endogenous aliphatic aldehyde).

I would like to use this technology to create a transgenic plant. Instead of 
bacteria, however, I would like to create a plant that has the luciferinase 
gene, so when it is watered with luciferin, it will glow. I know the addition 
of such a gene to plant is physically possible because there are pictures all 
over the internet (glowing tobacco, orchids, etc) of said experiments. This 
gene addition is usually accomplished with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. I have 
been researching the similarities between several strains of E. Coli and A. 
tumefaciens to see if perhaps the pGL2 vector will work in both, but to no 
avail. Hence, my question is, will pGL2 work for both types of bacteria? Could 
I simply transform A. tumefaciens (instead of E. coli) with the pGL2 plasmid, 
then insert the transformed agrobacter into a plant to produce a plant with 
the luciferinase gene? 


Re: Will a plasmid like pGL2 be compatible with Agrobacterium tumefaciens?

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