Switch Turns Gene On And Off In Plants

2025 - Volume #49, Issue #6, Page #23

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Researchers at Colorado State University have identified the switch that turns a gene on and off. Their proof-of-concept research used the luciferase gene, which glows in fireflies. However, this knowledge can be broadly applied.
“We’re interested in carrying the technique forward to regulate other genes,” says June Medford, CSU Department of Botany.
Medford and Ashok Prasad, CSU Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, led the research team. They synthesized relevant DNA parts, including the luciferase gene, and inserted them into plant tissue. The effort relied on two key genes identified through mathematical modeling. The pairing of these genes is crucial to the switch.
When one gene is on, the other is off. Applying a chemical signal to the plant causes the switch to reverse. In the case of the luciferase gene pair, the chemical made the cells glow. When the chemical was applied again, the glow gene turned off, and the other gene turned on.
When a plant experiences stress, it triggers a cellular response, such as boosting its immune system against disease. However, this reaction might be too late to fully counter the disease. A plant switch could accelerate the response when the disease is first detected.
“There’s usually one gene that can be used to push a cellular activity forward,” says Medford. “It’s similar to the role of a linebacker on a football team. There may be 11 genes involved, but if we find the one, it’ll push the process forward.”
Other potential uses of the technology include triggering fruit ripening or early-season growth, or essentially any biological process in the plant. Others involve creating biofactories by triggering cells to produce specific components.
“This project is a true marriage between quantitative research and mathematical modeling to predictably engineer a plant’s abilities for any number of needs,” explains Medford.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Medford Lab, Department of Biology, Colorado State University, 1878 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colo. 80523 (ph 970-491-7865; June.Medford@colostate.edu).

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Switch Turns Gene On And Off In Plants Researchers at Colorado State University have identified the switch that turns a gene on and off. Their proof-of-concept research used the luciferase gene, which glows in fireflies. However, this knowledge can be broadly applied. “We’re interested in carrying the technique forward to regulate other genes,” says June Medford, CSU Department of Botany. Medford and Ashok Prasad, CSU Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, led the research team. They synthesized relevant DNA parts, including the luciferase gene, and inserted them into plant tissue. The effort relied on two key genes identified through mathematical modeling. The pairing of these genes is crucial to the switch. When one gene is on, the other is off. Applying a chemical signal to the plant causes the switch to reverse. In the case of the luciferase gene pair, the chemical made the cells glow. When the chemical was applied again, the glow gene turned off, and the other gene turned on. When a plant experiences stress, it triggers a cellular response, such as boosting its immune system against disease. However, this reaction might be too late to fully counter the disease. A plant switch could accelerate the response when the disease is first detected. “There’s usually one gene that can be used to push a cellular activity forward,” says Medford. “It’s similar to the role of a linebacker on a football team. There may be 11 genes involved, but if we find the one, it’ll push the process forward.” Other potential uses of the technology include triggering fruit ripening or early-season growth, or essentially any biological process in the plant. Others involve creating biofactories by triggering cells to produce specific components. “This project is a true marriage between quantitative research and mathematical modeling to predictably engineer a plant’s abilities for any number of needs,” explains Medford. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Medford Lab, Department of Biology, Colorado State University, 1878 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colo. 80523 (ph 970-491-7865; June.Medford@colostate.edu).

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