EXCISION OF TRANSGENES IN GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

A method for deleting a region of DNA in a plant. In some embodiments, the method comprises transforming a plant with a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule encodes one or more zinc finger nuclease(s) (ZFNs) operably linked to one or more tissue-specific promoter(s), e.g., a pollen-specific promoter. Methods include excising native genes in a plant. Accordingly, in some embodiments, ZFNs are engineered that recognize sequences that flank native plant genes. In further embodiments, ZFNs are expressed under the control of developmental stage-specific promoters, such that, for example, nucleic acid sequences are specifically excised in plants during relatively late stages of development. Nucleic acid molecules useful for carrying out disclosed methods and plants produced by the methods are included.