Plant engineered minichromosomes and artificial chromosome platforms

The introduction of telomere sequences during transformation of maize will cause chromosomal truncation. This technique has been used to create minichromosomes. With the simultaneous introduction of site specific recombination cassettes, the ability to add additional genes to the newly formed engineered minichromosome becomes possible. Targeting the supernumerary B chromosome produces truncations at a very high rate and produces minichromosomes with the additional property that they can be dosage manipulated by the reintroduction of full length B chromosomes. The uses of engineered minichromosomes are discussed.