Barbara A. Zilinskas

Department of Plant Biology and Pathology Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 59 Dudley Road New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520 732-932-9711, Ext. 232 Fax: 732-932-9441 zilinskas@aesop.rutgers.edu

Research Interests:

Turfgrass transformation has been achieved by several laboratories using direct methods of DNA transfer including protoplast transformation and particle gun bombardment. However, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation offers several advantages over direct gene transfer, and our current research effort on turfgrasses has focused on developing efficient and reliable methods for their transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. We have succeeded in transforming creeping bentgrass, velvet bentgrass and tall fescue, and presently are trying to extend these protocols to other turf species. We plan to use Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to introduce into turfgrasses genes for disease resistance and improved tolerance to abiotic stress.