Because bacteria grow quickly, this method makes it possible to make millions of copies of the desired gene in a short period. Using the appropriate enzymes, the plant genes are then extracted again from the bacteria and inserted into the plasmids of A. tumefaciens. Finally, the altered A. tumefaciens is mixed with the target plant cells, where the engineered plasmid enters the target plant cells. The 'foreign' gene is then incorporated into DNA of some of the target plant cells. For some crops, researchers use a particle gun instead of Agrobacterium to transfer desirable traits from one plant to another.
Researchers coat microscopic pellets of gold or tungsten with DNA that has the desired trait.
The coated pellets are fired through plant cells with a special gun. As the pellets go through the cells, they leave some of the DNA coating behind to combine with the plant cell's DNA and a new beneficial trait. Identifying which plant cells now contain the desired gene, through the use of markers as described above.