Green fluorescent protein facilitates rapid in vivo detection of genetically transformed plant cells

Early detection of plant transformation events is necessary for the rapid e stablishment and optimization of plant transformation protocols. We have as sessed modified versions of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequor ea victoria as early reporters of plant transformation using a dissecting f luorescence microscope with appropriate filters. Gfp-expressing cells from four different plant species (sugarcane, maize, lettuce, and tobacco) were readily distinguished, following either Agrobacterium-mediated or particle bombardment-mediated transformation. The identification of gfp-expressing s ugarcane cells allowed for the elimination of a high proportion of non-expr essing explants and also enabled visual selection of dividing transgenic ce lls, an early step in the generation of transgenic organisms. The recovery of transgenic cell clusters was streamlined by the ability to visualize gfp -expressing tissues in vitro.