How is Agrobacterium used in recombinant DNA technology?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Agrobacterium is a genus of bacteria known for its natural ability to transfer DNA to plant cells, which is a key feature exploited in recombinant DNA technology.
2. Recognize that Agrobacterium contains a plasmid called the Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid, which carries genes responsible for transferring a segment of its DNA (T-DNA) into the plant genome.
3. Learn that in recombinant DNA technology, scientists remove the tumor-causing genes from the Ti plasmid and replace them with the desired gene(s) to be introduced into the plant.
4. The modified Ti plasmid is then introduced back into Agrobacterium, which infects the plant cells and transfers the engineered T-DNA segment into the plant's genome, resulting in genetically modified plants.
5. This method allows for stable integration of foreign genes into plants, enabling traits such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, or improved nutritional content to be expressed.

Key Concepts

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and its Natural Genetic Transfer

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a soil bacterium that naturally transfers a segment of its DNA (T-DNA) into plant cells, causing crown gall disease. This unique ability to integrate foreign DNA into the plant genome makes it a valuable tool in genetic engineering.

T-DNA and Ti Plasmid Structure

The Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid in Agrobacterium contains the T-DNA region, which is transferred to the plant genome. Scientists modify the T-DNA by removing disease-causing genes and inserting desired genes, enabling targeted genetic modification of plants.

Application in Recombinant DNA Technology

In recombinant DNA technology, Agrobacterium is used as a vector to deliver foreign genes into plants. This method allows for stable gene integration, facilitating the development of genetically modified crops with improved traits such as pest resistance or enhanced nutrition.