Centre for Plant Genome Engineering – Partner for genetic transformation, targeted mutagenesis and enabling technology

The Centre for Plant Genome Engineering (CPGE) was established at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf in 2020. It is affiliated with the Cluster of Excellence in Plant Science (CEPLAS), which includes Heinrich Heine University, the University of Cologne, the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, and the Research Centre Jülich. The CPGE provides CEPLAS scientists with expertise and services related to the genetic transformation of plants, targeted mutagenesis using customized endonucleases, and the development and implementation of expression systems. The CPGE employs transformation protocols based on Rhizobium radiobacter and biolistics. We utilize reporter genes encoding Green Fluorescent Protein or RUBY to establish transformation protocols or test expression systems. Barley, tobacco, Arabidopsis are routinely transformed, along with other species such as sunflower and amaranth. We have established targeted mutagenesis in sunflower and grain amaranth. We have optimized two in vitro culture regeneration systems for obtaining transgenic or mutant plants: somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis. The methods and protocols we have developed facilitate the identification of molecular networks underlying chloroplast development and plant-microbe interactions while minimizing photorespiration.