Our research group mainly studies the metabolism and physiological functions of growth regulators, polyamines, and phenolic compounds in plants. We investigate the role of these biologically active compounds in plant development and in the response of plants to abiotic stresses.
In our experiments, we use diverse plant systems from whole plants to cell cultures. Our research is primarily focused on the somatic embryogenesis of conifers. Within this topic, we study the regulation of somatic embryo development, the role of phytohormones in somatic embryogenesis, and the effects of abiotic stresses on somatic embryos. We also deal with the in vitro propagation of medicinal cannabis. In particular, we investigate the effect of phytohormones (auxins and cytokinins) added to the culture medium on the process of organogenesis from segments of cannabis plants grown from seeds in vitro.
We use a wide array of approaches:
Microscopy – light, confocal, and electron microscopy, enhanced by advanced computer image analysis
Biochemical methods – studies of activities of enzymes involved in the metabolism of biologically active compounds (e.g. radiometry)
Molecular biology methods – specific gene expressions, and transformation of tissue cultures
Analytical methods – qualitative and quantitative determination of biologically active compounds by gas- and liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectroscopic detection (cooperation with the IEB Laboratory of Growth Regulators and Laboratory of Hormonal Regulations in Plants).
Mobility Project (Czech and Polish Academy of Sciences), Lucie Fischerová, 2024-2026
Partner organization: Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Annotation:
Polyamines putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) are ubiquitous, small aliphatic polycations found in eukaryotic organisms, which regulate vital developmental and physiological events. They play an important role in diverse plant growth and developmental processes and adaptation to environmental stresses. Among other functions, spermidine stimulates the process of autophagy across species including yeast, animals, and even humans.
Polyamines putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) are ubiquitous, small aliphatic polycations found in eukaryotic organisms, which regulate vital developmental and physiological events. They play an important role in diverse plant growth and developmental processes and adaptation to environmental stresses. Among other functions, spermidine stimulates the process of autophagy across species including yeast, animals, and even humans.
In vitro transformation of hemp and cannabis by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Hypocotyl segments of technical and young leaves of medical cannabis were used as source material.
