Transformation and marker gene removal strategies for the plastid genome of Brassica napus

Abstract

Despite the fact that the first transplastomic higher plant was produced more than a decade ago, transformation of the plastid genome and the regeneration of homoplasmic, fertile plants has so far been achieved in only 2 species (Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) and Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato)) and the technology is routinely successful in only a single species, tobacco. The application of this important technology to the major, agronomically important crop species is therefore a major challenge. The developments described in this thesis address some of the important issues surrounding the current state of plastid transformation technologies and describes the development of tools for plastid transformation in Brassica napus (oilseed rape).