Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

The importance of the success of plant biotechnology for Canada was recently reflected by the fact that the only two main strategic research themes that were proposed by Genome Canada were both on plant bioproducts/ plant health. The ability to deliver on both of these themes will largely depend on the availability of effective protocols for transformation of crops. The proprietary technology that we are developing substantially increases the efficiency of transformation in plants. The major problem in generating transgenic plants is the random, non-precise integration of frequently truncated multiple copies of genes. The process of generating transgenic plants is thus tedious, expensive and does not allow adequate control over gene expression. Our technology will make the introduction of genes more efficient and will allow integration of multiple intact transgenes. The use of plants such as triticale, canola, tobacco etc., as factories for protein production (growth hormones, insulin, antibodies, vaccines) and biopolymers, requires fast and precise transformation techniques. A main focus of our group is to establish protocols for transformation of plants used for the production of new bioproducts. The project will expand scientific knowledge of plant transformation, homologous recombination-mediated mechanisms of DNA integration and methods of DNA delivery in triticale.Applications of these technologies include 1) analysis of gene function/gene regulation; 2) regulation of metabolic pathways for industrial end-use, e.g. starch, cellulose, lignin, native proteins; 3) industrial farming by stacking bioproducts, e.g. industrial oilseed crops, medicinal plants; 4) generation of crops with superior qualities, including disease and stress resistance; and 5) improvement of biosafety of GM crops. The project will establish a leadership position in the new bio-industry for renewable bio-materials, especially in triticale initiative within the next decade. The fact that PIs involved in this project have in past 5 years received over 5 millions in operating and equipment funds and have established themselves as prolific researches and effective mentors will ensure the program success.