Abstract:The glut of sequence information now available for many organisms demands the application of reliable reverse genetics techniques to associate genes with their functions. Precise modification of target gene provides an important tool for studies of gene function in vivo. An experimental strategy recently has been developed for repair of specific mutations as an altemative to the gene targeting strategy. This technique relies on the use of chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides designed to correct single-base mutations through the mechanism of gene conversion. Although the production of chimera mediated point and frame shift mutations in genomic and in artificial targets, respectively, were described in somatic cells of tobacco and maize, ... ...