Horticulture & Related FieldsRyan Brooks
2025 The Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship in Conservation Horticulture
Assessing the Epigenetic Fidelity of Cryopreserved Oak Tissues
This project aims to better understand the epigenetic impacts cryopreservation and tissue culture have on tissues of endangered oak species. Samples from all study species will be initiated into both tissue culture and somatic embryogenesis (which are necessary preparatory steps for cryopreservation) providing the opportunity for a direct comparison of mutation rates between the two procedures. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing will be used on samples taken at multiple points in the processes in order to determine which regions of the epigenome are changing and the severity of these changes. These results will be used to inform future diversity banking efforts and to ensure the fidelity of tissues banked in the CREW CryoBioBank.
The Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship in Conservation Horticulture
To promote conservation of rare and endangered flora in the United States through the programs of the Center for Plant Conservation, Escondido, California.
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