DNA and Cell Technology

Modern crop breeding has reached a new level thanks to the introduction of DNA and cellular technologies. These methods not only allow us to effectively monitor changes in the genetic structure of plants, but also to target their properties. The use of DNA markers, pathogen analysis, targeted mutagenesis, and cellular technologies significantly accelerate the process of creating new varieties and hybrids. This text discusses the advantages and opportunities of using DNA technologies, which have become key tools for breeders in the fight for efficiency, resistance and productivity of crops.

Innovations
Published by: 06.10.2014

DNA and cellular technologies in modern breeding

DNA and cellular technologies are the properties of a plant (hybrid of a variety) programmed in the heredity molecule, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Changes in properties are always accompanied by changes in DNA. In the case of classical breeding, such changes are caused by natural processes - the formation of germ cells and their combinatorics in the formation of the next generation.

Before the development of DNA technologies, breeders worked “blindly”; today, breeding work is accompanied by the use of DNA markers (certain DNA sequences that differ in parental organisms and are physically linked to genes that determine useful plant traits). Using DNA markers, our breeders create new forms of plants by monitoring the distribution of traits across generations, which greatly simplifies their work. DNA markers are also very useful in determining the varietal qualities of seeds. Our specialists pay considerable attention to this area.

The use of DNA technologies allows us to quickly determine the presence of plant pathogens both in seeds and in the field. The time for such analysis is only 3-5 hours. The established Agrogen laboratory meets not only the internal needs of breeders, but also performs custom tests. DNA technology is not only an opportunity to monitor the processes of DNA change, it also allows you to manipulate the plant development program directly, one example being genetically modified organisms. However, working with DNA is not necessarily related to GMOs (the term is defined by the Law of Ukraine “On the State System of Biosafety in the Creation, Testing, Transportation and Use of Genetically Modified Organisms”), but also manipulations that are inherent in nature but directed by humans, such as directed mutagenesis. The program written in the DNA sequence can be controlled not only at the level of the primary record, but also at the level of chromosome blocks and genomes. With the help of cellular technology, we have the ability to create forms much faster than with classical breeding methods. The fact is that the developmental program is written not only in the chromosomes of the nucleus (where the main content is located) but also in the chromosomes contained in the cytoplasm of the cell (chloroplasts and mitochondria). For example, the well-known cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is determined by the program of the nucleus and mitochondria (cell organelles responsible for energy supply).

Our specialists are developing methods for rapid creation of hybrid components based on cellular technologies. VNIS uses and pays considerable attention to the development of DNA and cellular technologies with the understanding that these are breeding tools of the 21st century.