Engineered agrobacterium for delivering plant growth regulatory proteins
A novel biotechnology platform that engineers a type III secretion system (T3SS) into Agrobacterium to deliver plant growth regulatory proteins such as BABYBOOM and WUSCHEL directly into plant cells. This approach aims to overcome transformation recalcitrance in difficult plant species by enhancing regeneration efficiency.
Overview
This technology addresses a critical bottleneck in plant biotechnology: the inability to efficiently transform and regenerate recalcitrant plant species. The platform engineers Agrobacterium, a widely used plant transformation tool, with a type III secretion system (T3SS) that enables direct delivery of plant growth regulatory proteins into plant cells. By delivering morphogenic regulators such as BABYBOOM and WUSCHEL, the system aims to stimulate regeneration in plant tissues that are otherwise difficult to culture, expanding the range of species amenable to genetic modification.
Technical specifications
- Engineered T3SS in Agrobacterium: Introduces a functional type III secretion system, which Agrobacterium naturally lacks, enabling direct protein transfer into plant cells
- Pseudomonas effector delivery: Previously validated to deliver Pseudomonas effector proteins that suppress plant defense responses and enhance transformation efficiency
- Histone H2A delivery: Demonstrated capability to deliver plant histone H2A protein to increase T-DNA integration rates
- Fluorescent protein tracking: Uses PhiLOV fluorescent protein fusions and the AvrRps4 promoter/N-terminal sequence to verify protein delivery via live-cell imaging
- Codon-optimized constructs: Plant growth regulatory genes are codon-optimized for expression in Agrobacterium
- Live-cell imaging validation: Fluorescent signals inside plant epidermal cells confirm successful intracellular protein delivery
Technology readiness level
The core T3SS delivery mechanism has been validated through infiltration assays in Nicotiana benthamiana, with confirmed protein transfer into plant cells using both bacterial effectors (AvrPto) and plant proteins (Histone H2A). The next phase of validation focuses on delivering BABYBOOM and WUSCHEL growth regulators through the engineered system, with live-cell imaging confirmation expected within three to six months. The laboratory is actively seeking partnerships to apply this strategy toward improving plant regeneration in recalcitrant species.
About Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university with a statewide footprint anchored in Stillwater. A research and technology park connects faculty expertise with corporate partners through co‑located labs, flexible leases, and shared prototyping and pilot‑scale facilities. Integration with an academic health system in Tulsa and a veterinary teaching hospital supports clinical translation, field trials, and product evaluation. A statewide extension network and experiment stations provide industry with rapid access to real‑world testing sites and workforce pipelines. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, USDA, NIH, and DOE, alongside industry‑sponsored agreements. A dedicated technology transfer office and an affiliated incubator accelerate IP protection, licensing, and startup formation.
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