- Scientists have discovered a new way
of creating genetically modified plants which promises to produce dramatically
different forms of flowers, fruit and vegetables.
-
- The researchers have identified the key
genetic mechanism used by all flowering plants - from cabbages to tulips
- that controls the development of everything above the roots. It means
it will be possible to engineer the genetics of plants at a more fundamental
level than is possible now, creating the potential to develop more intricate
flower heads, larger fruits and shorter stalks.
-
- Elliot Meyerowitz, professor of biology
at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), said his team has
located three genes that determine how cells divide within the vital part
of a plant called the apical meristem, which is where new plant tissue
is generated. Botanists liken the meristems of plants to the "stem
cells" of animals, which are the mother cells from which all other
cells in the body are derived.
-
- "[Meristem cells] divide in highly
specific patterns to make leaves and stems and flowers. Everything you
see above ground arises from these cells," said Professor Meyerowitzd.
-
- The genes identified by the team, and
published in the journal Science, control the communication network used
by plants to make tissues, enabling the scientists to tinker with the basic
plan by which a plant is destined to grow.
-
- When the scientists eliminated the genes
from an Arabidopsis weed, which normally grows six inches high with a thin,
fragile stem and a few white flowers on the end, the plant grew a much
thicker stem and mutant flowers with extra reproductive organs, such as
stamens and carpels. "This means the researchers are in control of
the genetic mechanism that governs various characteristics of a plant.
Since the effect is genetic, the mutated characteristics are passed along
to future generations," said a spokesman for Caltech.
-
- Professor Meyerowitz said the discovery
could be used to mutate certain plants of human benefit to create ones
with more favourable traits. "The difference between a cherry tomato
and a big beefsteak tomato is just like the difference between a normal
Arabidopsis plant and those that are mutant [for these genes],"Professor
Meyerowitz said. "So there are ways to make fruit bigger without understanding
the process. But what we're trying to do is understand the process."
|
