A transposon based marker removal system for the development of genetically engineered roses

Ornamentals are one of the most valuable sectors of the nations specialty crop industry. They not only provide an essential source of income and jobs for those involved in the industry but also serve to enrich the quality of life for gardeners and the general public alike. Although the tools of biotechnology have been successfully used for the development of commodity grain and fiber crops they have not yet found wide commercial application in ornamentals and other specialty crops. This is in large part due to strict regulatory requirements related to the use of selectable markers. Although selectable markers are needed to facilitate the introduction and retention of genes into plant cells, once introduced they are no longer needed and their presence represents and unnecessary regulatory burden. An urgent need therefore exists for a plant transformation technology that allows the development of biotechnology derived specialty crops that are free of selectable markers. Addressing this need will facilitate regulatory approval, marketplace entry, and consumer acceptance of biotechnology derived ornamentals and other specialty crops. In this Phase I proposal we propose to initiate development of a transposon based marker removal system in roses that will, in Phase II, allow the development of roses with improved consumer and grower traits that are free of selectable markers and other superfluous DNA sequences. Once developed this technology will be tested and developed in other economically valuable specialty crops. This should lead to improved grower, consumer and market acceptance of genetically engineered specialty crops.