IR Laser Mediated Gene Induction in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract

Temporal induction of gene expression is an important technique to examine cell lineage, gene function and intercellular communication. In Arabidopsis thaliana, several gene induction systems were reported already, such as steroid hormone, ethanol, and heat shock.
Recently, a new method of gene induction in a single cell of living organisms using an infrared laser-evoked gene operator (IR-LEGO) system was reported (Y. Kamei et al. 2009).
Here, we report the application of IR-LEGO to Arabidopsis. In transgenic line for HSP 18.2 promoter : GUS, we successfully induced gene expression in a single cell of a seedling. IR-LEGO has the potential to be a useful tool in extensive research fields for cell/tissue marking or targeted gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana.