In-planta Agrobacterium-mediated cereal transformation - InPACT

Authors: NEPAL, NIRMAN - Purdue University; Scofield, Steven; ZHANG, CANKUI - Purdue University; MOHAMMADI, MOHSEN - Purdue University

Submitted to: Plant Physiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/23/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The application of biotechnology for wheat improvement and basic research is greatly impeded by the inability to introduce DNA constructs into the plant. Among the possibilities, constructs could be introduced that edit genes to improve disease resistance, remove glutens from seed proteins, or creating dwarfing phenotypes that were critical for the green revolution. In this work we describe development of a simple and efficient system for wheat transformation. Perhaps most importantly the system is genotype independent unlike any previous wheat transformation methods. This means that gene editing can be done directly in the elite wheat variety that farmers are currently growing or that seed companies are developing for future sale. This breakthrough is a gateway for applying biotechnology for wheat improvement.

Technical Abstract: We describe a new, very simple, and efficient genotype-independent protocol for wheat transformation, which uses In-planta agrobacterium-mediated cereal transformation (InPACT). Experimental data demonstrate that InPACT is reproducible; both experienced and learners are able to generate transgenic wheat on multiple modern varieties. We were able to show transgenic wheat genotype independently in 30, i.e., 27 hexaploid and three tetraploid durum wheat accessions with global adaptation. We further explored the utility of InPACT on other cereal crops which resulted in successful transformation of three barley (Hordeum vulgare) two oat (Avena sativa) and one rice (Oryza sativa) germplasm.