What is TransBacterTM?
TransBacter is the collective name given to the three species of bacteria
that have now been shown to be able to transfer genes to plants under certain
circumstances. These species are not identified as Agrobacterium, so they do not
fall under patent claims specifying use of Agrobacterium.
There could be many other species of bacteria that can also transfer genes to
plants. So far, we have only tested three species from two different bacterial
families; Sinorhizobium meliloti, Mesorhizobium loti, and
Rhizobium sp. NGR234. These bacteria all naturally interact with
certain plant species.
What is gene transfer and how is it used?
In any cell, the information held by DNA is used to produce proteins. For
example, the human insulin protein is made and processed using information held
within an insulin gene. Gene transfer is the act of moving genetic material
(DNA) into an organism. Using gene transfer, it is possible to either increase
or decrease the amount of a particular protein within an organism, or obtain
useful proteins in a way that would not normally be possible using conventional
breeding methods. For example, it is possible to increase the amount of vitamin
A in rice by transferring genes to produce a protein that is used to make
vitamin A.
Most often, bacteria called Agrobacterium are used to transfer genes to plants.
Agrobacterium naturally parasitizes plants, causing crown gall, by transferring
some bacterial DNA into the plant DNA. Scientists have long since altered
laboratory strains of Agrobacterium so that they no longer cause the plant
disease, but still transfer their DNA to plants. Thus, by using Agrobacterium, a
gene of interest can already be transferred into a plant. What genes were
transferred in this experiment?
GUSPlusTM, invented by CAMBIA to mediate production of a secreted dye
that turns blue, was used as a visual aid to determine which plant cells had
taken up the gene. A resistance gene that confers tolerance to the selective
agent hygromycin, was used to select plants that had taken up the genes.
How is TransBacterTM different to Agrobacterium?
The working Agrobacterium gene transfer process is subject to many
patents.Thus, to make products that may be sold in many countries, the method
can only be used by companies that own or license the patents; before
TransBacter scientists already had the ability to make transgenic plants, but no
freedom to select the most appropriate technology without being subject to
corporate restrictions.
TransBacter will be made available to the scientific community to use freely
and to make improvements and share these with other users. Patents have been
applied for, and non-exclusive licenses for the patented technology will be made
widely available to those who agree to the covenants. Conventional licenses
often require the user to pay royalties, but the covenants in a BIOS license
require sharing of improvements and data needed for government regulatory
processes (see BIOS license FAQ).
This will have enormously positive implications for researchers who are
currently restricted by heavy royalties, who don't have access to the necessary
technology, or who cannot obtain licenses to apply their research to products.
This will include many researchers in the less developed or economically
disadvantaged countries of the world. With freedom to choose whether or not to
use this technology, they are more able to focus on providing solutions to their
local problems.
Is the use of TransBacter promoting genetic modification?
It is already possible for anyone to use genetic modification, i.e. to do
gene transfer, by the Agrobacterium methods described in the patent literature,
but currently using the methods to make products for sale in many places or for
public benefit is legally valid only via expensive dealings with the technology
owners.
We are neither in favor nor against gene technologies per se. However, wherever
a farmer or breeder may find it appropriate to use biotechnology, we are
promoting the use of transparent methods via licenses with low transaction
costs.
Are these bacteria dangerous?
These bacteria exist naturally in the soil and interact naturally with plants. You could find these same bacteria in the roots of peas and beans in every garden, where they assist plants in fixing nitrogen.
Can terrorists use this technology or information for bioterrorism?
Information about how to do genetic modification using Agrobacterium is
already freely available in patent documentation and scientific journals. The
patents restrict only where this information may be legally used without paying
royalties. It makes little difference to a person bent on illegal use as to
whether a license to use the information is costly or not, because, such a
person isn't likely to delay while seeking a license.
Using a BIOS license for enabling technology platforms is intended to enable
creative solutions to improve quality of life for those who would otherwise lack
economic access to the tools.
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