Full Title Precision engineering of plant genes 4. Today s methods cannot control both parameters, but gene targeting would be the solution. However, this technology is not available in higher plants. Gene targeting relies on homologous recombination. Progress in the general understanding of homologous recombination and the discovery of highly efficient gene targeting in a moss allow new approaches to improve gene targeting in plants.
Homologous recombination is analysed in the modified systems to confirm the function.
Concepts shown to improve gene targeting are transferred to commercially important systems as a first step towards application. The identification of parameters which discriminate a system efficient in gene targeting from an inefficient system. The transfer of these parameters to a system with low gene targeting efficiency and analysis whether or not this results in an improvement of gene targeting. Establishment of a generally applicable strategy to improve gene targeting in plants. As a first step in commercialisation and to proof the concept, transfer of the technology to crop plants and other biological systems.