Abstract
Abstract Genetic engineering will undoubtedly play a key role in the genetic improvement of commercially impor tant seaweeds for the production of cell wall polysaccharides, improved nutritional quality, the production of pharmaceuticals and pigments, and for their potential use in phytoremediation of heavy metals and organic pollutants. In addition, the development of genetic engineering techniques for macroalgae will rep resent a crucial step in the efforts to make this diverse group of organisms amenable to functional genom ic analysis. This type of analysis will lead to an understanding of the genes and metabolic pathways involved in the production of valuable macroalgal natural products. Success of genetic engineering of any plant depends upon the availability of: (1) commercially useful genes, (2) regulatory sequences (promoters, enhancers, etc.) for controlled expression of the transgenes, (3) reliable means of gene delivery to the cells, and (4) reliable means of selection and regeneration of transformed cells into whole plants. Of the several techniques used to transfer foreign genes into plant cells (direct uptake, micro-injection, electroporation, biolistic bombardment, and Agrobacterium vectors), direct uptake and electroporation of protoplasts and spores seem to be the most effective approaches to gene transfer in macroalgae. Data from transformation attempts indicate that, while the currently available higher plant or viral promoters may be effective in tran sient expression assays, they are not suitable for stable expression of the transgenes in macroalgae.
Published Version
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