Genetic Transformation Lab
Research
The research in Dr. Zeng-yu Wang's laboratory currently focuses on developing reliable plant regeneration and genetic transformation systems for different cool season forage grasses and cloning important agronomic genes. The aim of our tissue culture and transformation program in the Forage Improvement Division is to generate novel plant material by direct introduction of agronomical genes into important forage crops, and thus to assist or complement the forage breeding program.
The main aspects of the tissue culture and transformation program include: establishment of efficient plant regeneration and genetic transformation systems for different forage species; cloning of potentially useful agronomical genes and promoters; and generation and characterization of transgenic forage plants with improved agronomic characteristics. The cool-season forage grasses we are currently working on are tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) and tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum). It is known that these outcrossing monocot forage species are among the most recalcitrant plants to genetically manipulate in vitro. We are also using the available genomics information of Medicago truncatula to identify genes for improvement of the important forage legume alfalfa.
Personnel
Fu, C-X., Sunkar, R., Zhou, C. , Shen, H., Zhang, J - Y., Matts, J., Wolf, J., Mann, D.G.J., Stewart, C.N., Tang, Y., & Wang, Z - Y. (2012). Overexpression of miR156 in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) results in various morphological alterations and leads to improved biomass production. Plant Biotechnology Journal, January, 1-10 doi:10.1111/j.1467-7652.2011.00677.x.
Ma, X-F., Tudor, S., Butler, T. J., Ge, Y. X., Xi, Y., Bouton, J. H., Harrison, M. J., & Wang, Z - Y. (2011). Transgenic expression of phytase and acid phosphatase genes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) leads to improved phosphate uptake in natural soils. Molecular Breeding, September, doi:10.1007/s11032-011-9628-0.
Ge, Y. X., Fu, C-X., Bhandari, H., Bouton, J. H., Brummer, E. C., & Wang, Z - Y. (2011). Pollen viability and longevity of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Crop Science, 51 (November-December), doi:10.2135/cropsci2011.01.0057.
Zhou, C. , Han, L., Pislariu, C., Nakashima, J., Fu, C-X., Jiang, Q., Quan, L., Blancaflor, E. B., Tang, Y., Bouton, J. H., Udvardi, M. K., Xia, G., & Wang, Z - Y. (2011). From model to crop: identification of a STAY-GREEN gene from the model legume Medicago truncatula and effective use of gene in improving quality of alfalfa (M. sativa). Plant Physiology, September, doi:10.1104/pp.111.185140.
Zhou, C. , Han, L., Hou, C., Metelli, A. , Qi, L., Tadege, M., Mysore, K. S., & Wang, Z - Y. (2011). Developmental analysis of a Medicago truncatula smooth leaf margin1 mutant reveals context-dependent effects on compound leaf development. Plant Cell, 23 (6), 2106-2124 doi:10.1105/tpc.111.085464 .
Search PubMed- Development of Genetic Transformation Systems for Forage Grasses
- Genetic Manipulation of Lignin Biosynthesis in Forage Grasses
- Improvement of Drought Tolerance in Forage Legumes and Grasses
- Genetic Modification of Phosphate Uptake in Forage Legume and Grasses
- Genetic Manipulation of Flowering in Forage Grasses
- Development of Efficient Transformation System for Medicago truncatula
- Genetic Manipulation of Tannin Biosynthesis in Forage Legumes