title: Antibiotic-free chloroplast genetic engineering - an environmentally friendly approach.
abstract: Chloroplast genetic engineering offers several advantages over nuclear genetic engineering, including gene containment and hyperexpression. However, introducing thousands of copies of transgenes into the chloroplast genome amplifies the antibiotic resistance genes. Two recent articles report different and novel strategies to either remove antibiotic resistance genes or select chloroplast transformants without using these genes. This should eliminate their potential transfer to microorganisms or plants and ease public concerns about genetically modified crops.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Daniell
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Wiebe
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Millan
mesh_terms: D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001622:Betaine / Q000378:metabolism; D050728:Betaine-Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000235:genetics*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006540:Herbicides / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008082:Lipotropic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D006540:Herbicides; D008082:Lipotropic Agents; D001622:Betaine; D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases; D050728:Betaine-Aldehyde Dehydrogenase