Transgenic oat plants via visual selection of cells expressing green fluorescent protein

New selectable markers and selection systems are needed to increase the eff iciency and flexibility of plant transformation. The objective of this rese arch was to determine if the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene could be utilized as a visual selectable marker for transformation of oat (Avena sat iva L.). A modified gfp gene was delivered into oat cells by microprojectil e bombardment. Cell clusters expressing gfp were visually identified using fluorescence microscopy and physically isolated at each subculture. Eleven independent transgenic cell lines were obtained, and fertile plants regener ated from all lines. Transgene integration and expression were confirmed in transgenic plants and progeny. Transgene expression segregated in a 3:1 ra tio in progeny of the majority of the transgenic lines.