Plant genetic transformation using carbon nanotubes for DNA delivery

The possibility of using nanocarriers based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to deliver genetic material into mesophyll protoplasts, callus cells, and leaf explants is discussed. Using single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) at the concentration of 20 mu g/mL and multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) at the concentration of 15 mu g/mL, the Nicotiana tabacum L. protoplasts were genetically transformed with the plasmid construct pGreen 0029, and a transient expression of the yfp reporter gene was shown in the protoplasts. Using SWCNTs at the concentration of 40 mu g/mL and MWCNTs at the concentration of 30 mu g/mL, the N. tabacum callus and leaf explants were genetically transformed by the nptII gene contained in the pGreen 0029 construct and regenerant plants were obtained on a selective medium with kanamycin at the concentration of 50 mg/L. The SWCNTs-based nanocarriers demonstrated their applicability for the transformation of protoplasts and walled plant cells. At the same time, the MWCNTs-based nanocarriers demonstrated their applicability only for the transformation of protoplasts, because of a limiting role of the cellulose wall against their penetration into the cells.