In: Biology
Which FOUR of the following DNA delivery methods have been used successfully to introduce foreign genes into the nuclear genome of the alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
a. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
b. Agitation with glass beads or silicon carbide whiskers
c. Electroporation
d. Microinjection
e. Natural DNA uptake
f. Biolistics
As we know there are many methods that have been used successfully to introduce foreign genes (from one organism) into nuclear genome of other organisms ranging from bacteria to plants. This type of genetic recombination is called as rDNA technology. Here according to your query, since the alga chlamydomonas reinhardtii is used, we can choose the following four methods apart from Natural DNA uptake and Agrobacterium mediated transformation. The former method is used only by bacteria (genetic transformation) and later for plants by the specific T-DNA of Agrobacterium.
1) Biolistics / gene gun / particle bombardment method :-
Here DNA coated on Gold or Tungsten particle is used for bombardment to algal cell.
2)Microinjection:-
Here foreign DNA is introduced to the algal cell by providing a suction force to hold the algal cell and injection of the desired DNA by micro-syringe
3) Electroporation:-
It involves providing pulses of electric current so as to form pores, thereby helping in DNA uptake.
4) Agitation with glass beads or Silicon carbide whiskers:-
Agitation with SiC whiskers appears to be an efficient method for introducing DNA into intact C. reinhardtii cells. In this method, macro or microparticles (e.g. glass beads or silicon carbide whiskers), the gene(s) of interest to be delivered, denatured fish sperm DNA which binds to nucleases in the cell and prevents degradation of the gene(s) of interest, as well as polyethylene glycol to increase transformation efficiency are added to microalgal cells, and the suspension is agitated by vortexing. Microalgae with and without cell walls have been successfully transformed using this method (Doron et al, 2016). This is significant for the present algal cells too.