Agrobacteriumgeïnduceerde

Agrobacteriumgeïnduceerde refers to the process by which the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetically modifies plants. This bacterium naturally harbors a large plasmid called the Ti plasmid, which contains genes that can be transferred to the plant's genome. When Agrobacterium infects a plant, it attaches to wounded plant cells and transfers a specific segment of its Ti plasmid, known as the T-DNA, into the plant's DNA. This T-DNA contains genes that promote uncontrolled cell division and the production of opines, which are nutrients that Agrobacterium can utilize.

The result of this natural genetic transformation is the formation of a tumor-like growth on the plant, commonly referred to as crown gall. This process has been harnessed for plant biotechnology. Scientists have engineered Agrobacterium by removing the tumor-inducing genes from the Ti plasmid and replacing them with genes of interest, such as those conferring herbicide resistance or increased nutritional value. When these engineered Agrobacterium strains infect plants, they deliver the desired foreign gene into the plant's genome, leading to the development of genetically modified plants. This method, known as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, is a widely used and efficient technique for creating transgenic plants for research and agricultural purposes. The Agrobacteriumgeïnduceerde process is a remarkable example of natural genetic engineering that has been repurposed for human benefit in agriculture and plant science.