Study of Regulatory DNA Sequences

In the previous chapter, we discussed a variet of methods which can be used for transfer of foreign genes to plant cells, tissues or organs. This transformation has mainly been achieved at the level of protoplasts or cells in many plant species although the ultimate objective should be the production of transgenic plants following regeneration of whole plants from transformed protoplasts/cells.

However, the success in transformation could not be combined with success in regeneration in all cases. Nevertheless, now there are more than 80 plants species, where transgenic plants have been successfully produced (see next chapter,). Initially, the production of transgenic plants was restricted to dicotyledons, but it has now been extended to several monocotyledons like wheat, maize, rice and oats.

These aspects of transgenic plants will be discussed in this chapter before we discuss the transgenic plants for crop improvement in the next chapter. Transgenic plants have also been developed for the production of speciality chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as has also been possible in case of transgenic animals.

This activity is described as molecular farming, which. Once transgenic plants have been produced and have been found to exhibit improved traits of economic importance, they need to reach the farmers field, which requires several steps including field testing, examining biosafety issues and other related issues (gene silencing and intellectual property rights).

These aspects of field testing and commercialization. Details of plant breeder's rights and patents will be discussed in the terminator technology for induction of seed sterility to overcome the problem