The BTI Center for Plant Biotechnology Research was established to support projects at BTI that utilize genetic engineering and plant cell culture. The center is set up to provide plant transformations on a fee-based service for all BTI researchers. Center personnel are experienced at Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of tomato, potato, Nicotiana tabacum, and N. benthamiana. In addition to these systems, we are currently becoming familiar with methodology for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Medicago truncatula and Brachypodium distachyon. To request a plant transformation, you will need to complete a transformation request form.
We are also available for instruction on transformation methods and for development of methodologies for plant species other than those currently being done in the center. The center is open to postdoctoral and research associates, graduate students, visiting scientists, and research assistants who are interested in using the facility to do their own plant cell/tissue culture and plant transformations.
Equipment
The center, which is located in the basement of BTI, includes a main laboratory, three culture rooms, and media preparation laboratory. The main laboratory houses laminar flow hoods, an office suite, and glassware maintenance area. The culture rooms are configured for different environmental conditions (light and temperature) and contain orbital shakers, metal shelving for the support of cultures, and air filtration systems, which purify the air to reduce the risk of contamination. The media preparation laboratory contains balances, pH meters, stir plates, water filtration system, and other equipment necessary for media preparation. In addition, this room also contains an autoclave and two small culture rooms.
Click on the images below for more information
Transformation Service Fees
The BTI Center for Plant Biotechnology Research is set up for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the plant species listed below in the Transformation Fees table. To request a transformation, please complete the transformation request form. Transformation requests will be performed in the order they are received. The fees for transformations are on a per construct basis. We guarantee at least 10 independent transformants, but will provide additional transformants if they are recovered.
If you are interested in transformation of a plant species not on this list, contact
Joyce Van Eck.
Transformation Fees *
| Plant Species | Charge per construct | Estimated time to recover transformants** |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | $725 | 4 months |
| Potato | $750 | 4 months |
| Nicotiana tabacum | $400 | 2 months |
| Nicotiana benthamiana | $475 | 2.5 months |
| Brachypodium distachyon | $800 | 4 Months |
| Protocol development*** |
*As we all know, research does not always go according to plan. Every effort will be made to recover transformants, however, if unforeseen obstacles arise, your request might be delayed or not able to be completed. Based on our experience, these obstacles might include the following: a gene of interest that results in lethality or affects plant regeneration, contamination of an Agrobacterium tumefaciens culture provided by the requestor, seeds that contain a contaminant that is difficult to eradicate, a construct containing a selectable marker gene that is not expressed. Often times, it is well into a transformation experiment before it can be determined that there is a problem, which could be after a significant amount of time and effort have already been invested. To defray the expenses of this effort and any troubleshooting necessary to determine the problem, 25 – 50% of the per-construct fee will be charged depending upon the effort (labor and supplies) invested.
*Transformants will be delivered as rooted plants in test tubes or Magenta boxes.
*An hourly rate of $75.00 per hour (covers labor and supplies) will be charged to develop plant transformation methods for which there are no established protocols available.
Additional Center Fees
Three laminar flow hoods that are labeled “guest hoods” and culture rooms in the center are available for those interested in performing their own plant transformations or plant cell/tissue culture. We ask that people fill out the guest hood log sheets that are affixed to each hood. For culture room use, first speak to one of the center’s personnel for shelf assignment. Assigned shelves should be labeled with the name of the person using the shelves. Please see the table below for fees associated with use of these items in the center.
Fees for use of the BTI Center for Plant Biotechnology Research
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Laminar flow hood | $3.30/hour |
| Culture rooms | $2.75/shelf/month |
Transformation Request Form
* Seeds/plants/plant material will needto be provided in the following situations.
1. Seedling material (e.g. cotyledons and hypocoyls) is the target for transformation.
2. Our facility does not have a readily available supply of material for the crop of interest.
Vector and Agrobacterium Stocks
Vector List
Agrobacterium List
To arrange a time to receive vectors and Agrobacterium strains, send an e-mail to btivectors@cornell.edu.
Plates of medium will NOT be provided. You need to bring your own plates of the appropriate medium. Sterile 1000 ul tips will be provided to use for streaking plates from glycerol stocks.
It is important that glycerol stocks remain frozen while you are streaking plates.
