Biotechnology Center
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.
Transformation Requests
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/transformation-request
If you are submitting a transformation request for the first time or have questions regarding Transformation Facility services, please contact Qingzhen Jiang for more information.
Transformation Experiment Fees
Tomato*
Charge per TE (campus rate): $1100
Charge per TE (off-campus rate): $1680
Tomato Transformation Details
Potato*
Charge per TE (campus rate): $1150
Charge per TE (off-campus rate): $1750
Potato Transformation Details
Brachypodium distachyon*
Charge per TE (campus rate): $1210
Charge per TE (off-campus rate): $2000
Brachypodium distachyon Transformation Details
Medicago truncatula (R108)*
Charge per TE (campus rate): $1600
Charge per TE (off-campus rate): $2400
Medicago truncatula Transformation Details
Alfalfa (SY4D)*
Charge per TE (campus rate): $1200
Charge per TE (off-campus rate): $1800
Alfalfa Transformation Details
Switchgrass (NFCX01)*
Charge per TE (campus rate): $1200
Charge per TE (off-campus rate): $1800
Switchgrass Transformation Details
Barley (Golden Promise)*
Charge per TE (campus rate): $1200
Charge per TE (off-campus rate): $2000
Barley Transformation Details
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.
