Utricularia gibba Transformation

Carnivorous plants have five different phyla: Poales (monocots), Caryophyllales (core eudicots), Oxalidales (rosids), Ericales, and Lamiales (asterids). The development of their specialized structures, attractants, and secretions ensures prey attraction and capture. Among carnivorous plants, one of the largest genera and most widely distributed is Utricularia, including terrestrial, epiphytic, and aquatic species. Utricularia gibba is an aquatic plant with sophisticated bladder traps having one of the most complex suction mechanisms for trapping prey. Utricularia gibba becomes an interesting model organism for studying nutrient uptake and complex trap development in rootless plants. However, due to the lack of simple and reproducible gene transfer systems, the mechanisms regulating trap development and the molecular characterization of biophysical processes involved in prey trapping remain largely unknown. Genetic transformation is a fundamental tool for studying the structure and function of plant genes.

Fig. 1. Protocol and transformation efficiency of Utricularia gibba. (Oropeza-Aburto A, et al, 2020)

Solutions

Lifeasible is an industry leader in plant genetic transformation and is proud to offer cutting-edge genetic transformation services for Utricularia gibba. Our team of biologists and geneticists utilize Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation to establish robust and efficient genetic transformation protocols for Utricularia gibba. This transformation system allows the introduction of exogenous genes into the plant genome, providing valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying trap development and carnivorous plant biology. We can dramatically reduce transformation time to less than 3 months.

• Selectable Markers for Utricularia gibba Transformation Protocols
  To identify the most suitable resistance genes for Utricularia gibba transformation, we rigorously test the effects of different selective agents, including thiramycin, kanamycin, and glufosinate-ammonium phosphate (PPT). The effects of the selection agents are evaluated according to their effects on the growth kinetics of Utricularia gibba.
• Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated Utricularia gibba Transformation
  We add the cytokinin phenylmethylaminopurine (BAP) to the culture medium to increase the transformation efficiency of Utricularia gibba. The addition of BAP increased the number of transformants and promoted the rapid formation of meristematic tissues from scratch, enabling the development of new plant branches for further propagation.
• Stable Integration and Expression of Transgenes
  We provide histochemical assays and PCR analysis to determine that transformed Utricularia gibba exhibits stable integration of the transgene and uniform reporter gene expression throughout the bladder trap.
• Combined CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing
  In addition, we offer CRISPR/Cas genome editing to pinpoint and modify specific genes in Utricularia gibba, allowing for the creation of knockout mutants and revealing the genetic basis of Utricularia gibba's carnivorous lifestyle.

Lifeasible offers a simple, fast and reproducible transformation program for Utricularia gibba. We aim to accelerate your research on the complex mechanisms underlying the Utricularia gibba carnivorous lifestyle. If you are interested in our solutions, please contact us for technical consultation and quotation.