Cloning of lectin gene in over-expression vector, generation of transformants of Brassica juncea using bar gene as selectable maker and phenotypic characterization of some saffower lines for oil content and oil quality
Student name: Ms Sakshi Sarna
Guide: Dr Anandita Singh
Year of completion: 2013
Host Organisation: Department of Botany, University of Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Arun Jagannath
Abstract: Use of genomic information derived from functional genomics and recent advances in genetic
transformation techniques and breeding programs have made possible to clone our gene of interest
and to raise plants for crop improvement through genetic transformation or breeding. Transgene
(lectin) which has been reported to confer resistance against aphids was cloned in heterologous overexprssion
vector- pET. Brassica juncea, which is a major oilseed crop of the Indian subcontinent was
transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101 harboring the binary vector
pPZPlox200 by using hypocotyl as explants. pPZPLox200 contains selectable marker gene i.e. bar
which confers resistance against bialaphos herbicide in combination with lectin gene. Transformation
frequency of 5.36% was obtained. Safflower being a major oilseed crop, exhibits great variability in
oil content and oil composition. Few safflower lines were selected to study oil content and oil quality
through Soxhlet and GC respectively, to select the ones having high oil content and good oil quality.
KEYWORDS: Genetic Transformation; Brassica juncea; Agrobacterium
tumefaciens; Bialaphos; Safflower; Soxhlet
