Speaker: Danielle Baker
Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Biology
Time: 6:10 PM
Place: Trustee Hall 116
Supervisor: Dr. William Quinn
Title: Effects of Varying the Concentration of Agrobacterium tumefaciens During the Transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract: Plant transformation using bacterial-borne plasmids has become a common and important tool in genetic manipulation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens has proven to be useful as a transforming agent for floral dip techniques. The literature indicates that a transformation rate efficiency of 1% using the floral dip method as normal (Clough and Bent). Although the floral dip method has proven successful, the transformation yield is low, thus a closer examination of the current protocol is necessary to maximize the transformation efficiency. In the current study, we examined the effects of different concentrations of A. tumefaciens on both plant vitality and transformation efficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana. Results indicate the half-strength concentration of A. tumefaciens is much less detrimental to plant vitality than either the standard or doubled concentrations. Transformation was unable to be examined due to high rates of mortality. Given the current results, further study needs to be conducted to investigate the research question in greater depth.