Genetic Modification of Saccharum officinarum for Herbicide Tolerance

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of the most important worldwide cultivated agro-industrial crops that belong to the family Poaeceae and genus Saccharum. Prescribed study was conducted in Seed Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to alter the genome of sugarcane line CPF246 with herbicide resistance gene GTGene driven by the sugar cane ubiquitin promoter and confirmation through PCR and Dot blot as well as protein expression analysis through ELISA. Results have shown the successful transformation and expression of transgenes against glyphosate resistance. This could prove a mile stone towards putting research efforts in the improvement of Saccharum officinarum for certain traits. Outcomes of this research will be beneficial in minimizing the management cost which people do bear for weed management practices. Success of this study opens new horizons to further improve other characteristics of sugarcane using genetic modification as was done in current study.