2018 ASHS Annual Conference
Laser Mediated Nucleic Acid Delivery System
Laser Mediated Nucleic Acid Delivery System
Tuesday, July 31, 2018: 2:00 PM
Jefferson East (Washington Hilton)
Application of nucleic acid phytoremediation technology in agriculture has been stifled by the inability to target the nucleic acid components to the desired tissues. Under laboratory conditions using young seedlings, nucleic acid absorption through roots has been partially successful in treating a variety of biotic stresses. However, such techniques are not applicable to larger plants whether in pots or in the field. Laser technology has been shown effective in amplifying the uptake of applied substances, nano-particles and RNAi when applied to leaves. The technique consists of using laser energy to create perforations on the plant surface to allow the movement of nucleic acids (or other substances) into the plant and their eventual distribution by the vascular tissue. Trial experiments using RNAi against chlorophyll formation and targeted experiments against disease-carrying feeding insects have demonstrated the usefulness of this technology.