The Boyce Thompson Institute (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, Nicotiana benthamiana, Medicago truncatula and Brachypodium distachyon.

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.

The Boyce Thompson Institute Center for Plant Biotechnology Research is set up for Agrobacterium tumefaciens–mediated transformation of the plant species listed in the Transformation Experiment Fees table. Transformation requests will be performed in the order they are received. If there are no negative effects on plant regeneration as a result of either expression or knockout of the gene of interest, and the genotype of interest, then the expected recovery per experiment is five to ten independent transgenic lines.

Complete one transformation request form for each construct. The online request form can be accessed at https://btiscience.org/vaneck/transformation-request/.

If you are submitting a transformation request for the first time or have questions regarding Transformation Facility services, please contact Linnell Randall for more information.

Those interested in maize and rice transformation should contact the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Plant Transformation Facility.

Transformation Experiment Fees

Tomato*
Charge per TE (campus rate)  $1,000
Charge per TE (off-campus rate)  $1,500

Potato*
Charge per TE (campus rate) $1,000
Charge per TE (off-campus rate) $1,550

Brachypodium distachyon*
Charge per TE (campus rate) $1,075
Charge per TE (off-campus rate) $1,775

Transformants will be delivered as rooted plants in test tubes.

*Often, 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 to 50 percent of the per-construct fee will be charged depending upon the effort (labor and supplies) invested.

Stock Lists

Vector List
Agrobacterium List

To arrange a time to receive vectors and Agrobacterium strains, send an email to Gary Horvath.

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.