Date of Award
12-1999
Honors Thesis Number
009892
Major
Microbiology
Faculty Advisor
Fix, Douglas F.
Abstract
The development of transgenic plants for agricultural purposes consumes much time and energy but is well worth the battle. From the laboratory perspective, hours are spent trying to force plant cells to uptake new DNA. Several methods are available for this practice, including Ti-plasmid mediated transformation, microprojectile bombardment, and electroporation. Each method depends primarily on the organism one wishes to transform. Once the gene of interest has been inserted, the seed from these transgenic plants goes to pilot stations to be grown in nurseries and yield production fields and tested for resistance against many elements. The final product is put through a series of government and health rules and regulations before finally allowed to be marketed.