Project Number: 5442-21220-017-04
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 01, 2004
End Date: Dec 31, 2007

Objective:
1) To develop DNA transformation and tissue regeneration systems for leafy spurge and Canada thistle and 2) to study gene functions based on the alteration of gene expressions and phenotypic changes in transgenic plants.

Approach:
An agrobacterium-mediated transformation and/or biolistic transformation methods are used to introduce a binary vector, pBI121, containing the ß-glucuronidase gene (GUS) into the cells of leafy spurge and Canada thistle. Transformed tissues will be regenerated into whole plants. After suitable transformation systems are developed, a few dormancy-related genes from leafy spurge will be introduced into leafy spurge and/or Canada thistle. The function of these genes will then be examined based on phenotypical changes through over-expressing, down-regulating, or knocking-out of target genes.