Transformation of wheat via particle bombardment.

The protocol described in this chapter was successfully used to produce the first transgenic plants of wheat. It involves high velocity bombardment of explants with DNA-coated microprojectiles (the biolistics procedure). It highlights the importance of selecting the right explants (immature embryos and/or embryogenic callus tissues), pre- and post-osmotic treatment, obtaining high levels of gene expression with the maize ubiquitin promoter, and stringent selection (with bar) during culture to obtain stably transformed and normal fertile plants. The protocol is used widely for genetic transformation of wheat.