Abstract Detail

Functional Genetics/Genomics

Starr, Dakota [1], Leebens-Mack, Jim [2], Tsai, CJ [3].

Editing genes in the nonrecombining region of the Y chromosome to determine function in sex determination in garden asparagus.

Asparagus officinalis, garden asparagus, was the first monocot plant to be transformed by Agrobacterium. Pioneering work done on asparagus in the 1980s and 1990s inspired development of transformation across the monocots (including crop and model grass species), but little has been done with asparagus transformation since then and transformation efficiency in asparagus remains generally low and variable among lines. We are developing an efficient transformation and genome editing system in garden asparagus for targeted testing of gene function. To develop gene editing in asparagus we transformed asparagus callus and inserted a copy of GFP. Preliminary data from our first experiments shows promise for Agrobacterium transformation of asparagus callus. The next set of transformation experiments will edit three of the genes in the nonrecombining region of the Y chromosome. The exact function of the genes in sex determination is not known. SOFF (Suppressor of Female Function) and TDF1 (Defective in Tapetal Development and Function) are two of the genes that will be edited. In addition to presenting efficiency data, we describe general principles of CRISPR Cas9 plasmid design as well as transformation and plantlet induction protocols.

1 - University of Georgia, Plant BIology, 120 Carlton Street, Athens, GA, 30602, United States
2 - University Of Georgia, Plant Biology, 2101 Miller Plant Sciences, Athens, GA, 30602, United States
3 - University of Georgia, Genetics, 120 E Green St, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

Keywords:
asparagus
CRISPR/Cas9
Agrobacterium
Transformation.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P2, Functional Genetics and Genomics Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Tuesday, July 20th, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P2CG004
Abstract ID:995
Candidate for Awards:None