Question

Imagine you have identified and isolated a gene known as Ice Recrystallization Inhibition Protein 1 (IRI1) that confers freeze tolerance in Lollium perenne, a perennial grass. You are interested in introducing IRI1 into a strawberry to extend its growing period into the late fall season to avoid frost-induced senescence. List and briefly describe the step-by-step procedure for at least two methods that are available for the introduction of this foreign gene into strawberry. (150 words)

Answer 1

Two common methods for introducing a foreign gene into strawberry plants include Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and biolistic particle delivery. Agrobacterium utilizes a plasmid to transfer the gene, while the gene gun shoots DNA-coated particles into plant cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

To introduce the Ice Recrystallization Inhibition Protein 1 (IRI1) into strawberry and extend its growing period, two common genetic transformation methods could be used: Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and biolistic particle delivery (gene gun).

The Agrobacterium-mediated transformation involves the following steps: First, construct a plasmid with the IRI1 gene flanked by Agrobacterium T-DNA borders. Then, introduce this plasmid into Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Strawberry plant cells or tissues are then co-cultivated with the Agrobacterium to facilitate the transfer of the IRI1 gene into the plant genome. After co-cultivation, the plant material is placed on selective media to promote the growth of transformed cells while inhibiting others.

Alternatively, the biolistic particle delivery method starts by coating microscopic gold or tungsten particles with the IRI1 DNA. These particles are then shot into strawberry cells using a gene gun. The DNA-coated particles penetrate the cells and the DNA is integrated into the plant genome. Again, the cells are grown on selective media to isolate transgenic plants.