http://www.oardc.ohio-state. edu/plantranslab/ Plant Regeneration John J. Finer http://www.oardc.ohio-state. edu/plantranslab/

For successful production of transgenic plants, DNA delivery Regeneration from single cells

Much of the progress with improvement of crop plants via Biotechnology relies on the ability to introduce DNA into single cells and then, generate whole fertile plants from those single modified cells. The process of generating whole plants from cells is called “regeneration”.

Plant Regeneration Under the right conditions, plant tissues regenerate into whole plants via two distinct processes; “somatic embryogenesis” and “shoot morphogenesis”.

Somatic Embryogenesis For somatic embryogenesis, embryos form, which can develop and then germinate into a whole plant.

Somatic Embryogenesis Somatic embryos are complete entities, similar to seeds. They possess a shoot and root tip and have a complete vascular system. They form under specific conditions that are different from shoot morphogenesis.

Somatic Embryogenesis An auxin is usually applied for induction of somatic embryogenesis. Nitrogen and carbohydrate balance are also important. Embryos usually develop, once they are transferred to a medium with no auxin.

Soybean Embryogenesis Plant Recovery Starting Material Immature seeds Soybean Embryogenesis Germination Induction Development Proliferation

Shoot Morphogenesis For shoot morphogenesis, shoots form, which must be excised to form roots before they can be transferred to the soil.

Shoot Morphogenesis Shoots can be formed directly from the starting plant material or arise from a mass of proliferating, unorganized piece of plant tissue called a callus.

Shoot Morphogenesis Shoot formation is usually induced following placement of tissues on media containing a high cytokinin to auxin ratio. Media that contain inappropriately higher levels of auxin can cause callus to form.

Shoot Morphogenesis Plant regeneration from shoots required the formation of roots on excised shoots. Root formation can be spontaneous or induced by rooting hormones which contain auxin. Rooted shoots can then be transferred to soil for plant establishment.

Which are somatic embryos/shoots? Shoot morphogenesis Shoot morphogenesis Sunflower Xmas Cactus Cotton Somatic Embryo Somatic Embryo Shoot morphogenesis Ohio Buckeye Poplar Soybean

For further information, contact: John J. Finer Department of Horticulture and Crop Science OARDC/The Ohio State University 1680 Madison Ave. Wooster, OH 44691 Tel: 330-263-3880 Fax: 330-263-3887 e-mail: finer.1@osu.edu