Research and Implementation Unit

Cryopreservation Laboratory

The unit realizes an ongoing research project  „Preservation of gene reserves of endangered species with cryogenic methods in the Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank”. Scientific patronage : Dr Paweł Chmielarz, Polish Academy of Science, Institute of Dendrology, Kórnik. The research task is to work out and implement the methods of cryogenic preservation for the following categories of seeds:

Ø              Orthodox

Ø              Recalcitrant

Ø              Intermediate.

Cryopreservation is a supplement of a traditional method of long-term storage of gene resources, that enables:

• keeping the good quality of genetic material, which hasn’t been stored in the Forest Gene Bank so far, without time limitations   

• possibility of preservation of gene resources in case of intermittently fructifying, endangered and rare species.

     Storage of vegetal material in the liquid nitrogen container.

The equipment of the Laboratory includes: liquid nitrogen containers, fitotron plant growth chamber, laminar chambers, analytic scale, stereoscopic microscope, drying and weighing machine.

DNA Analysis Laboratory

The unit conducts the research program of genetic identification of plus trees with the use of  microsatellite markers.

Concerning the high genetic value of  gene resources stored as seeds in the Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank, The Laboratory is focused on:

• Genetic identification of plus trees stored in the Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank (years2007-2012).

Analysis of the Scott’s Pine chloroplast DNA.

The Laboratory’s equipment includes: thermocyclers, thermoblocks, fume hoods, PCR laminar chamber, laboratory scale, genetic analyzer and software for the detailed analysis of  DNA fragments.