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Gene Transfer, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555818135/9781555811785_Chap06-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555818135/9781555811785_Chap06-2.gifAbstract:
Yeasts are single-cell eukaryotic organisms that contain a relatively small genome yet display many cellular and molecular features in common with higher eukaryotes. Yeasts are easy to propagate and their genome is easy to manipulate, qualities that make them a good model organism for studying eukaryotic processes and for producing eukaryotic proteins. This section first discusses the importance of using yeasts in biotechnology, explains transformation in yeasts, and compares and contrasts the uses of yeasts and bacteria. Then, it moves on to plant transformation methodologies. Plants can be genetically transformed by biological and physical methods, and transgenic plants are increasingly important in agriculture. Many dicotyledonous plants (dicots) are attacked by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a pathogen causing crown gall tumors. Tumor production is induced by the presence of the Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid. The Ti plasmid can be genetically manipulated to serve as a vector for genes of interest. The section also describes the mechanism and role of Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ti plasmid infection in plants, and the significance of opines. In addition, it lists some applications of gene transfer in plants.