Making Fluorescent Markers for Corn Tissues

Genetically engineered corn expressing the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene facilitated the studies being conducted in the three distinctive kernel tissues: plant embryo, the endosperm surrounding the embryo and the hard outer pericarp, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service press release said. The gfp protein which was first isolated from jellyfish has been a useful marker in scientific investigations in plants and animals.

 In this study, the gfp gene was introduced in corn and was made to express in the three main seed parts in different transgenic lines. Using an instrument that measures lightwave emissions from the fluorescent corn tissues, the different parts were dissected and baseline levels of the fluorescence were used in identifying tissues during the fractionation processes. This technique facilitated the identification of a mix of tissues which would have been an expensive and time-consuming process.

 For details, see press release at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=1261