Electrofusion of Plant Cells

Isolated plant protoplasts can be induced to fuse with protoplasts from different species and, therefore, provide an ideal system for genetic modification and for use in plant breeding. Techniques for electrofusion of plant protoplasts have been developed relatively recently, and specialized apparatus is required, although this is now becoming more widely available. Electrofusion offers definite advantages over more commonly used protocols that make use of chemical stimulation to induce fusion. The most valuable aspects of electrofusion techniques are the high fusion frequencies attained, often tenfold higher than analogous chemical systems (1 ). The use of potentially toxic chemical stimulants is avoided, and the zones of membrane disturbance are limited to regions of membrane contact alone, all of which tends to preserve protoplast viability. Additionally, fusion events can be monitored microscopically, allowing the precise determination of the effects of various electrical parameters and, therefore, the use of optimum electrical values. Such control, together with manipulation of electrodes, allows more precise definition of parentage (2 ) than previously was possible with other methods.