Improved strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens for transferring DNA into plants

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This patent discloses improved strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens engineered with deletions or inactivating mutations in specific DNA sequences (IS426 copy I, IS426 copy II, OriT-like, and border-like sequences) that are responsible for unintended transfer of bacterial chromosomal DNA into plant genomes during genetic transformation. By removing or disabling these elements, the Agrobacterium strains can transform plant or other eukaryotic cells with recombinant DNA more safely and avoid the risk of unwanted bacterial DNA insertion.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Safer production of genetically modified (transgenic) plants for agriculture or research.
• Generation of transgenic crops with lower risk of unintended foreign DNA content for regulatory compliance and public acceptance.
• Transformation of yeast, fungi, or even animal and human cells in research settings where minimizing biosafety risks is important.
• Fundamental genetic or molecular biology studies involving plant transformation with reduced horizontal gene transfer concerns.
• Development and commercialization of improved Agrobacterium strains for industry and academia to replace older, riskier strains.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Greatly reduces the risk of unintended bacterial chromosomal DNA integration into host (plant or eukaryotic) genomes during transformation.
• Enhances biosafety of GMO (genetically modified organism) production, addressing regulatory and ethical concerns.
• Can be used in standard lab conditions without significant changes to existing protocols, facilitating easy adoption.
• Potentially increases acceptance of GMO technology by ensuring more precise genetic modifications and reducing biosecurity risks.
• Allows for the development of one-component transformation systems, simplifying the transformation process and reducing the reliance on additional plasmids.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains that comprise at least one deletion/mutation in a sequence selected from the group of IS426 copy I, IS426 copy II, the OriT -like sequence, and the border-like sequences, and their uses in safer and improved transformation procedures for cells.