Method for biolistic site-specific integration in plants catalyzed by Bxb1 integrase

Abstract

Crop improvement is a never ending process. With a transgenesis approach, it is not inconceivable to envision a continuous addition of new transgenes to existing cultivars. Previously, we described a recombinase- directed gene stacking method in tobacco (Hou et al., Mol Plant 7:1756-1765, 2014). Being able to stack DNA to a previous location ensures that the number of genetic loci does not increase with each new round of transgene addition. Whereas the previous demonstration was conducted through polyethylene glycol to mediate uptake of DNA into tobacco protoplasts, we now describe protocols for using biolistic transformation to stack DNA in tobacco and rice.