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Plant protoplasts: status and biotechnological perspectives
Michael R Davey1, Paul Anthony, J Brian Power
1Plant Sciences Division, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK. mike.davey@nottingham.ac.uk
Biotechnology Advances
|February 8, 2005
Summary
Plant protoplasts, or wall-less cells, are vital for biotechnology. Recent advances enhance protoplast-to-plant systems, enabling genetic manipulation and pharmaceutical production.
Area of Science:
- Plant biotechnology
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Plant protoplasts are osmotically fragile, wall-less cells crucial for biotechnology.
- Advances in 'omics' have renewed interest in protoplast research.
- Protoplast isolation and culture are established for many crops, but challenges remain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in protoplast-based technologies.
- To highlight novel approaches for improving protoplast-to-plant systems.
- To underscore the versatility of protoplasts in various research applications.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of plant protoplasts from various plant tissues.
- Application of novel techniques like electrostimulation, surfactants, and gas carriers.
- Protoplast fusion for somatic hybridization and DNA uptake for transformation.
Main Results:
- Protoplast-derived plants can be regenerated, though efficiency varies by species.
- Somatic hybridization via protoplast fusion overcomes sexual incompatibility.
- Protoplast transformation enables genetic modification of nuclear and organelle genomes.
Conclusions:
- Protoplast technology is essential for plant genetic manipulation and breeding.
- Emerging techniques are improving the efficiency of protoplast-based systems.
- Protoplasts remain valuable tools for diverse applications in plant science and biotechnology.