Human activity, the spread of pathogens, and climate change patterns are leading to the global mass extinction of both ecologically and economically important species. Plant biodiversity has been seriously impacted by excessive harvest of plants with little efforts to replenish their populations in natural habitats. The mission of research at the Gosling Research Institute for Plant Preservation (GRIPP) is to develop novel approaches for in vitro conservation and propagation of critically endangered species as well as plant genetic resources that are critical to the survival of the growing human population. In vitro technologies are highly effective for rapid plant multiplication, cost-effective long-term conservation, and species restoration in natural habitats. This presentation will provide an overview of GRIPP’s recent research on the application of in vitro technologies for conservation of a range of plant species. The plants of interest in this project include species that are rare, endangered, traditionally used in medicinal, spiritual, and cultural practices, or are critical to food security. The role of human neurotransmitters melatonin and serotonin in plant conservation will also be discussed.
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Conservation of Plant Diversity: Role of In Vitro Technologies with Dr Praveen Saxena | 08 May 2024
