Characterisation of the flavonoid biosynthesis and establishment of a transformation system for Rhododendron simsii hybrids (azalea)

Die Azalee zählt zu den wirtschaftlich wichtigsten Zierpflanzenarten auf dem europäischen Markt. Das Interesse an der Schaffung von Neuheiten insbesondere hinsichtlich der Blütenfarbe ist dementsprechend groß. Biotechnologische und molekularbiologische Methoden haben innerhalb der modernen Pflanzenzüchtung an Bedeutung gewonnen und führten bereits bei zahlreichen Zierpflanzen zu einer Veränderung der Blütenfarbe. Um die Voraussetzungen für ein genetic engineering bei Azaleen zu schaffen, wurden analytische, biochemische und molekularbiologische Untersuchungen zur Flavonoidbiosynthese vorgenommen. Zusätzlich wurde ein Transformationssystem basierend auf zwei unterschiedlichen Selektionsmarkern (Antibiotika und Mannose) etabliert.The azalea is one of most economically important ornamental plant of the european floriculture market. Therefore the azalea industry is particulary interested in creation of novelty regarding flower colour. In modern plant breeding, new technologies of biotechnology and molecular biology have resulted in succesful flower colour modifications in many plant species. Investigations on flavonoid biosynthesis were performed to obtain the precondition of genetic engineering of azalea. Additionally, a transformation system with two different selection markers (antibiotic and mannose) was established

Students’ attitudes towards somatic genome editing versus genome editing of the germline using an example of familial leukemia

Although the discussion on possibilities and pitfalls of genome editing is ever present, limited qualitative data on the attitudes of students, who will come into contact with this technology within a social and professional context, is available. The attitude of 97 medical students and 103 students of other subjects from Hannover and Oldenburg, Germany, was analyzed in winter 2017/18. For this purpose, two dilemmas on somatic and germline genome editing concerning familial leukemia were developed. After reading the dilemmas, the students filled out a paper-and-pencil test with five open questions. The qualitative evaluation of the answers was carried by a deductive-inductive procedure of content analysis. There was a high approval for the use of somatic genome editing. When it came to germline genome editing, concerns were raised regarding enhancement, interventions in nature, and loss of uniqueness. The students recognized that somatic genome editing and germline genome editing prove different ethical challenges and need to be judged separately. Many students expressed not feeling fully informed. The results of this project show the importance of educating the public about the possibilities, limitations, and risks of somatic and germline genome editing. We recommend that this should already be addressed in schools in order to optimally prepare students and adults for participation in public discourse. Especially for patients affected by genetic diseases, it is of great importance that the treating physicians and geneticists are sufficiently informed about the method of genome editing to ensure good counseling