ScienceAsia 29 (2003): 099-107 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2003.29.099

Induction of Exogenous Molecule Transfer into Plant Cells by Ion Beam Bombardment

Pimchai Apavatjrut^a*, Chiara Alisi^b, Boonrak Phanchaisri^b, Liangdeng Yu^c, Somboon Anuntalabhochai^d and Thiraphat Vilaithong^c

ABSTRACT: Although the technology of ion-beam-induced gene transfer into either plant or bacterial cells has been successfully established, relevant mechanisms have not been understood. This work aimed to study the process of induction and thus to develop applications of ion beam bioengineering. Cells of various plant tissues were bombarded in vacuum with argon and nitrogen ion beams at energies of 15-30 keV with fluences ranging from 5 x 10¹⁴ – 3 x 10¹⁶ ions/cm². The ion bombardment effects on tissue viability and neutral red dye molecule transfer into the cells through the cell envelope were investigated. The results showed that the characteristics of the tissue survival from the ion bombardment and penetration of the dye molecules into the cells through the cell envelope depended on ion species, energy and fluence. For 30-keV argon-ion bombardment at a fluence of 2 x 10¹⁵ ions/cm², the dye molecules entered the cells without fatal injury, whereas under other conditions, the dye either did not enter the cells or stained the nuclei. On the cell envelope surface, ion-bombardment-induced crater-like structures were observed. Calculations indicated that exogenous molecule transfer into living plant cells can be achieved by ion beams with appropriate physical parameters such that the ion range and the radiation damage range lie within the solid cell wall thickness.

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a Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
b Institute for Science and Technology Research and Development, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
c Fast Neutron Research Facility, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai
University, Chiang Mai Thailand.
d Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

* Corresponding author, Email: agippvtj@chiangmai.ac.th

Received 22 Qct 2001, Accepted 28 Qct 2000