The review summarizes both biological and non-biological transformation methods that enable the precise introduction of beneficial genes into plants. It also outlines recent breakthroughs that improve transformation efficiency and broaden the range of transformable crops, providing new tools for developing high-yield, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant crops to support global food security.
Plant genetic transformation has become a cornerstone of modern plant biotechnology. Since the first successful introduction of foreign DNA into plants in the early 1980s, scientists have developed diverse techniques to integrate target genes into plant genomes. Early breakthroughs using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation showed that bacterial vectors could efficiently deliver genetic material into plant cells, enabling stable transgenic plant regeneration. Over time, additional approaches—including virus-mediated delivery, particle bombardment, microinjection, polyethylene glycol–mediated transfer, and nanomaterial-based systems—have expanded transformation capabilities across many plant species. Despite these advances, high transformation efficiency remains difficult to achieve due to genotype dependence, regeneration barriers, and technical limitations. Consequently, researchers are increasingly focused on improving transformation efficiency and developing new technologies to accelerate crop improvement and functional genomics research.
A study (DOI: 10.48130/abd-0025-0013) published in Agrobiodiversity on 20 January 2026 by Yang Li’s team, Biorun Biosciences Co. Ltd., highlights the evolution, mechanisms, and applications of plant genetic transformation technologies, emphasizing emerging strategies that improve transformation efficiency and broaden their use in crop genetic improvement.
The researchers overview plant genetic transformation technologies by dividing them into two major categories: biologically mediated and non-biological transformation systems. Among biological methods, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation remains the most widely used approach because of its high efficiency, low transgene copy number, and capacity to deliver large DNA fragments. This review highlights recent innovations that overcome traditional limitations such as genotype dependence and the need for extensive tissue culture. For instance, improved strategies allow Agrobacterium to infect meristematic tissues or root–stem junctions, enabling the generation of transgenic plants with reduced reliance on tissue culture. Virus-mediated transformation is also discussed as an alternative system that employs viral vectors to introduce genes into plant cells, allowing rapid gene expression without requiring complete plant regeneration. In addition to biological systems, the review summarizes several physical and chemical gene-delivery methods. Particle bombardment, commonly known as the gene gun technique, propels DNA-coated micro-particles into plant tissues, enabling foreign DNA to integrate into plant genomes. Microinjection delivers genetic material directly into plant cells through microscopic capillaries, providing precise delivery but requiring specialized equipment. PEG-mediated transformation, widely used in protoplast-based systems, promotes DNA uptake by temporarily destabilizing cell membranes. Another approach, pollen tube-mediated transformation, introduces foreign DNA during fertilization by exploiting natural pollen tube channels. The review places particular emphasis on the rapid development of nanomaterial-mediated transformation technologies. Engineered nanoparticles—including carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles—can transport DNA, RNA, or proteins across plant cell walls and membranes, enabling efficient gene delivery without traditional tissue culture. In some systems, magnetic nanoparticles transfer DNA directly into pollen grains, generating heritable modifications through natural fertilization. Beyond delivery technologies, the review also highlights strategies to improve transformation efficiency. Developmental regulators such as WUSCHEL, BABY BOOM, GRF-GIF chimeras, and WOX5 enhance plant regeneration by promoting cellular dedifferentiation and embryogenesis. Meanwhile, engineered Agrobacterium strains, optimized nanomaterials, and improved cell permeability treatments further boost gene transfer efficiency.
Overall, this review underscores how advances in plant genetic transformation are accelerating crop biotechnology. As transformation systems continue to evolve alongside genome editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas technologies, researchers anticipate the development of next-generation crops with improved yield, enhanced resistance to pests and diseases, and greater tolerance to environmental stresses.
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References
DOI
10.48130/abd-0025-0013
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.48130/abd-0025-0013
About Agrobiodiversity
Agrobiodiversity is the official journal of Yunnan Agricultural University and published by Maximum Academic Press. Agrobiodiversity is an open access, online-only, rigorously peer-reviewed academic journal focusing on the research and studies related to agriculture and biodiversity, including but not limited to: innovation discovery, theory, and technology of agricultural biodiversity; diversity of agricultural genetic resources; environmental interactions among various crops; interaction between crops and abiotic environment; interaction between crops and microbial environment; research on new composite agricultural technology; exploration of new resource species in agriculture. Agrobiodiversity is dedicated to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, opinions, letters, and editorials with high quality.