How does it work?
There are a few ways of inserting genes into plants, some a lot simpler than others. One of the main ways is done by using a gene gun. It basically shoots the DNA into the cell of the plant.
7. The cells are then put onto a selective antibiotic media. ONLY the cells that have the new gene in them will be able to grow on the antibiotic media. the cells are then transferred to a medium containing plant growth factors that will help them grow in a normal environment. After this, the plant is done and all you need to do is let it grow, the offspring will also have this trait because it is not an acquired trait, it is in the DNA of the plant.
1. Scientists have to first extract the DNA they need, which most commonly in plants is insect resistant or herbicide resistance.
2. They then insert it into a vector. If you don't know what a vector is, it is basically just a bus for the genes. It's used to artificially carry the DNA from one cell to another where it can be replicated.
3. Scientists then take the vector and put it in bacteria. This is where the first stages of it copying itself starts.
4. Once they have enough they take gold or tungsten particles and put the vectors on it. They cover the particles.
5. They then take the gold/tungsten particles that are covered in vectors and they load them onto, not in, a Teflon bullet. After that, they have to load it into the gene gun.
6. When they shoot the gun into the genes the particles are moving at such a high velocity that they penetrate the plant cell and are the incorporated into the genome of the plant.
