Agrobacterium: cuatro décadas colaborando con la biotecnología

In nature, the process of genetic transformation occurs naturally among diverse organisms. Since the description of Agrobacteria as the causal agent of tumors in different types of plants and their ability to transfer genetic material, an extensive study has been carried out to adapt this ability as a biotechnological tool for the introduction of new sequences to susceptible plant cells. Currently, a number of strains are available for the delivery of genetic material, and their use to transform plants has allowed the study of various cellular processes, such as symbiosis, root development and response to different types of stress. In addition, the use of this methodology has facilitated the development of diverse plant varieties with desirable traits, such as drought-resistant plants and pest resistance exemplified in corn and cotton (Bt). Currently, there are several methodologies for transferring genetic information from other living things to plants, but the use of A. tumefaciens or A. rhizogenes are the first choice. In this review, the main contributions to the discovery of tumor-causing Agrobacteria and their subsequent use as a tool in biotechnology will be studied.