Plant Genetic Resources and Evolutionary Studies
| Staff(s) | Professor. Kazuo WATANABE Professor. Akira KIKUCHI Assistant Professor. Taichi OGUCHI |
|---|---|
| Field of research | Plant Genetic Resources, Plant Physiology, Biotechnology, Biosafety, Biodiplomacy |
| Research topics | Infinite value finding over plant genetic resources, abiotic stress tolerance in higher plants, tree and vegetatively propagated species improvements by genetic engineering, somatic embryogenesis |
| Keywords | potato, sweetpotato, carrot, eucalypts, poplar/aspen, Zingiberaceae, environmental risk assessment of LMOs in field trials, abiotic stress tolerance, somatic embryogenesis, biodiplomacy |
| URL | https://gene.t-pirc.tsukuba.ac.jp/Plant/GeneticDiversity/ |
| TEL | 029-853-7729 |
| watanabe.kazuo.fa＠u.tsukuba.ac.jp |
Research introduction
- 1. Molecular genetic and cytogenetic studies for conservation and for genetic diversity of underutilized species emphasizing polyploidy species
- 2. Production of transgenic plants and environmental biosafety assessment of transgenic plants with respect to risk assessments on the biological / genetic diversity. We have focus on trees such as eucalypts, poplars/apens and vegetatively propagated species.
- 3. Sustainable germplasm enhancement of the genetic resources with biotechnology applications emphasizing polysomic polyploid species. Specific commodities of interest in biological research are root and tuber crops such as potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas) and other relevant polyploidy plant species.
- 4. Somatic embryogenesis is a phenomenon demonstrating the totipotency of plants. We have range of research on somatic embryogenesis from very basic experiments to seedling production.
- 5. Multidisciplinary studies associated with plant genetic diversity, biotechnology, biosafety, intellectual property, access and benefit sharing, and bioethics with emphasis on socio-economic and development aspects oriented to policy recommendation and setting frameworks and planning on plant genetic resources and biotechnology R&D as biodiplomacy.
