RECENT ADVANCES IN PLANT GENETIC-ENGINEERING

Gene transfer technologies have facilitated researchers to produce bot h monocot and dicot transgenic plants, independent of their genotype. The analysis of molecular markers can accomplish the characterization, gene mapping and identification, certification and patent protection of cultivars. The expression of a target gene can be inhibited with an tisense RNA. With the specific gene transfer, many goals-biological co ntrol of insect pests and fungi, male sterility, virus resistance, imp roving seed protein, transgenic plants as 'bioreactors'-can be accompl ished. Yet more concerted efforts are needed to study the genes relate d to environmental stress including greenhouse effect, quantitative tr aits, and field evaluation of transgenes in transgenic plants. The cos t effectiveness in producing transgenic cultivars and parameters such as yield, quality, and nutrition will determine the wider use of trans genic germplasm in plant breeding.