MadSci Network: Molecular Biology |
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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