About

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).

Dormancy breaking in Fagus sylvatica seeds is linked to formation of abscisic acid-glucosyl ester

Submitted by Kateřina Eliášová on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 13:20

Seed dormancy is an adaptive mechanism that allows seed germination under suitable environmental conditions. Germination of stored dormant seeds proceeds after dormancy breaking induced by stratification. To improve understanding of dormancy breaking in beechnuts, we: investigated effects of moisture content and temperature during storage; analysed contents of abscisic acid, abscisic acid metabolites and indole-3-acetic acid in embryonic axes during storage and stratification; and histochemically localized storage proteins.

Assessment of somaclonal variation in indirect morphogenesis-derived plants of Arracacia xanthorrhiza

Submitted by Kateřina Eliášová on Thu, 07/25/2019 - 10:31

The objective of this work was to induce and detect somaclonal variation in arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) plants regenerated via indirect morphogenesis, in order to evaluate the potential of this technique to produce new genotypes for breeding purposes of this crop.

Internal authors

Profiles of phenolic acids in apples during ripening and storage

Submitted by Kateřina Eliášová on Wed, 07/03/2019 - 10:49

Phenolic compounds constitute a substantial group of phenylpropanoids which are produced by plants as secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties. The spectrum and concentrations of phenolic acids serve as a convenient marker of plant resistance to biotic stresses. Phenolics form also an important component of animal diet. Apples are a widely available fruit exhibiting significant concentrations of antioxidants, especially phenolics and carotenoids. Generally, the concentrations and composition of antioxidants vary during ripening and subsequent handling of harvested fruits.

Cytological, Biochemical and Molecular Events of the Embryogenic State in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.])

Submitted by Kateřina Eliášová on Wed, 02/27/2019 - 17:19

Somatic embryogenesis techniques have been developed for most coniferous species, but only using very juvenile material. To extend the techniques’ scope, better integrated understanding of the key biological, physiological and molecular characteristics of embryogenic state is required. Therefore, embryonal masses (EMs) and non-embryogenic calli (NECs) have been compared during proliferation at multiple levels.

The response of Picea abies somatic embryos to UV-B radiation depends on the phase of maturation

Submitted by Kateřina Eliášová on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 11:17

In summary, the exposure of Norway spruce EC to UV-B radiation at different stages of maturation had the strongest effect on cell viability of embryos at early stages of development and resulted in the inhibition of somatic embryo development and/or the substantial decrease in the number of embryos. The extent of cell damage was dependent on the UV-B dose applied, as well as the embryo developmental stage, and might be related to differentiation of the outermost cell layers and formation of protoderm.