Maize transformation is a crucial technique for introducing desired genetic traits; however, this is a challenging process for many laboratories. To improve this process, members of the Iowa State University Crop Bioengineering center built new vector systems for the effective selection of transgenic plants. The journal article, featured as a cover story in the August issue of Plant Physiology is titled "New T-DNA binary vectors with Nptll selection and RUBY reporter for efficient maize transformation and targeted mutagenesis." This work is a collaborative effort of multiple members of the Crop Bioengineering Center, including Keunsub Lee, Minjeong Kang, and Kan Wang of the Agronomy Department as well as Qing (Jessica) Ji and Sehiza Grosic of the Crop Bioengineering Laboratory.
One of the important components in plant genetic transformation and gene editing is a reliable visible marker. This marker facilitates the monitoring of successful advancement in transformation procedures and the subsequent generation's segregation of transgenes. A novel visible marker known as RUBY introduces a captivating purple betalain pigment, offering a distinct advantage over other markers like GUS or Green/Red Fluorescent Proteins (GFP/RFP). The former requires sacrificing source material (GUS), while the latter demands specialized equipment like a fluorescent microscope for marker gene visualization. Enhanced by the upgraded ternary vector system for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, RUBY stands poised as an exceptional asset for generating transgenic and gene-edited plants. The cover image of Plant Physiology, contributed by the ISU CBC authors, showcases maize reproductive tissues expressing RUBY, each exhibiting unique patterns of betalain accumulation.
The new vector system generated by the CBC members is now available publicly via Addgene, a non-profit plasmid repository.