Plant Tissue Culture and Genomics Lab

The Plant Tissue Culture and Genomics Lab is comprised of two research groups studying plant tissue culture, genomic and gene expression analysis, and clonal propagation of fine hardwood tree species.

This lab is located in the David C. Pfendler Hall of Agriculture on the Purdue University campus in Room 258.

Paula M. Pijut, Ph.D., research program involves:

• Plant cell, tissue, and organ culture for tree improvement and production.
• Applied and fundamental research directed toward germplasm improvement to increase resistance or tolerance to biotic or abiotic stressors.
• Emphasis on the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical bases for in vitro culture and defense mechanisms to pests or pathogen infection.
• Development of protocols for adventitious shoot regeneration, in vitro rooting, somatic embryogenesis, micropropagation, genetic transformation, clonal propagation, and flowering control in forest tree species.
• Current species of interest include black cherry, black walnut, butternut, northern red oak, white oak, and green, white, black, and pumpkin ash.

Adventitious shoot regeneration and rooting from black cherry (Prunus serotina) leaves.

Shaneka S. Lawson, Ph.D., research program involves:

• Introduction and development of NextGeneration Sequencing (NGS) protocols to evaluate gene expression variability in responses of trees to climate change.
• Current species of interest include Acacia koa.

Natural regeneration of Acacia koa at various research sites in Hawaii.