Cryopreservation to support application of somatic embryogenesis - EriSE investments

Luke will enlarge the cryopreservation capacity, i.e. storage in liquid nitrogen, and renew research devices in the Savonlinna research station to respond the increasing research and innovation activity. The number of samples stored in liquid nitrogen will increase in the joint project and in other research and customer projects. Sharing valuable material into several, automatic liquid nitrogen storage device minimizes the risks.

Luke has strong expertise in the somatic embryogenesis of coniferous trees. So far, the method has primarily been applied to produce spruce forest regeneration material, but the same technology can be applied to other purposes as well, thereby supporting the commercialization of this expertise. Through somatic embryogenesis, the decorative special forms of coniferous trees found in the Finnish nature can be multiplied as trees suitable for landscaping in northern conditions. Cell lines of spruce special forms have been cryopreserved into liquid nitrogen tanks in Savonlinna, and plants have been produced from them through somatic embryogenesis for monitoring the development of their phenotype. Based on the growth characteristics of the plants, the most suitable lines can now be selected in collaboration with the sector stakeholders for testing in landscaping or Christmas tree cultivation. In addition to spruce, somatic embryogenesis can also be applied in the production of other coniferous trees, and the project also investigates the resistance of pine cell lines to root rot and develops capabilities for the multiplication of larch and juniper. Increasing the range of tree species improves the ability to respond to international demand.