Standardizing Transformation Efficiency and Demonstrating Flg22 Internalization

Quantifiable, standardized data is essential for consistent plant transformation experiments, yet the current method of relying on fluorescent proteins remains largely qualitative and subjective. To overcome this, we used a luciferase-luciferin assay to measure forgein protein expression in relative light units (RLUs) via a plate reader. This is an objective, quantitative indicator of transfection efficiency. This system could enable direct comparisons across transformation techniques, including our future plans of using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver pDNA into plant cells. We have also confirmed flg22 internalization in plant cells. Functionalizing LNPs with the flg22 peptide could allow for targeted internalization through binding to the FLS2 receptor and triggering endocytosis, providing a possible alternative to traditional Agrobacterium tumefaciens methods.