9870453 McDonald Dr. McDonald wishes to use a POWRE award to initiate a new area of research that will aid her in establishing an independent research activity. The new area involves viral transfection of genes to plant cell suspension cultures. Tobacco mosaic virus will be used to infect tobacco, tomato, and other plant cells. Green fluorescent protein will be used to mark successful transfection. The initial experiments will be run in test tubes and shake flasks and will be scalled-up to a 5L bioreactor if successful. Dr. McDonald will develop new course material on plant cell culture and plant virus transfer of genes. A case study on protein production and isolation from plants and plant cells will be developed for a senior chemical engineering design course. ***
