Transient gene expression assays in rose tissues using a Bio-Rad Helios® hand-held gene gun

Rose tissues of different varieties were transformed using a Bio-Rad Helios® hand-held biolistic gun. Parameters for optimum transient expression were optimized and included rose variety, flower age, tissue, gold particle size and DNA Loading ratio. Smooth flowers without thick waxy layers and young unopened actively growing flowers were found to be better suited for the transient expression assays. The DNA amounts, gold particle amounts and size etc. were not found to influence the efficiency of the transient transformation in these tissues. These studies indicate that biolistic transformation using hand-held guns can be used for successful transient expression assays in rose flower tissues. This is especially useful for a quick and easy analysis of genes and their expression before attempting stable transformation.

► Use of a hand-held biolistic device for transient gene expression in rose plants.
► Optimisation of parameters including amounts of gold particles, DNA and tissues.
► Use of GFP as a reporter gene for transient expression assays in rose plant tissues.