Recently, Frontiers in Plant Science published two new studies titled "A highly efficient genetic transformation system for broccoli and subcellular localization" and "A high-efficiency PEG-Ca2+-mediated transient transformation system for broccoli protoplasts" online, which are from the Brassica oleracea research group from IVF-CAAS. The first study finally obtained a common receptor in homozygous material of broccoli inbred line (19B42), which increased the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation (RNAi, over-expression and CRISPR/cas9) to 26.92%, exceeding the average level of the cruciferous plants in the world. The second study has constructed three core technologies: (i) the high-efficiency isolation and culture technology system of broccoli protoplasts (Yield > 5×106/mL and vigor higher than 95%); (ii) the genotype-independent transient transformation system of broccoli protoplasts, the protoplasts could be induced and changed into the seedlings after systemic culture; (iii) the method to quickly realize the subcellular localization of functional genes under reporter tags such as GFP and YFP (Bol029100, Bol031350).

This means that this study successfully established and improved a high-efficiency and genotype-independent genetic transformation system in broccoli and the other Brassica oleracea crops, providing scientific and technological support for improving the efficiency of biological breeding and improving precise traits.

The master students of Zhao Yongyu and Yang Dongxu from Institute of Vegetable and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, are the first authors of the two papers, separately. And associate researcher Li Zhansheng, is the corresponding author for both studies. The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32172580), the National Bulk Vegetable Industry Technology System (CARS-23-A5), the Innovation Engineering Research Service Fund of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IVF-BRF2021003), and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Innovation Project for High-quality Vegetables.

Original link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1091588/full; https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1081321/full