Department of Biotechnology and the Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

Department of Biotechnology

Department Head: prof. dr hab. Ryszard Słomski

The Department of Biotechnology at the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants - National Research Institute in Poznań is performs research and development work in the area of molecular diagnostics, tissue engineering and genetics of medicinal and functional plants.

The main tasks of the department are to:

1. Develop molecular diagnostic methods with respect to the genetic variability and functional characteristics of fibre crops and medicinal plants.
2. Develop genetic and tissue engineering methods to achieve variability of fibre crops and medicinal plants.
3. Use biotechnological methods to obtain cultures of medicinal plants with increased production of biologically active substances.
4. Determine the pattern of in vitro tissue growth and accumulation of biologically active compounds in the tissue.
5. Obtain doubled haploid lines of fibre crops for subsequent use in the cultivation process.
6. Carry out research on callus induction, adventitious organogenesis and regeneration as well as the cultures of lateral shoots and axillary buds, classical and photoautotrophic micropropagation of valuable plant genotypes and optimisation of culture media for fibre crops and medicinal plants.
7. Analyse scientific and technical developments in biotechnology and apply these achievements in the cultivation of fibre crops and medicinal plants.
8.  Cooperate with other departments at the Institute and other domestic and foreign scientific institutions in the area of plant biotechnology and genomics and pharmacogenetic tests.

Accomplishments

Accomplishments related to the implementation of statutory activities

1. Development of molecular diagnostic methods related to the genetic variability
   and functional characteristics of fibre crops and medicinal plants.
2. Use of biotechnological methods to obtain medicinal plant cultures with increased production of biologically active substances.
3. Determination of in vitro tissue growth dynamics and accumulation of biologically active compounds in the tissue.
4. Research into callus induction, adventitious organogenesis and regeneration as well as the cultures of lateral shoots and axillary buds, classical and photoautotrophic micropropagation of valuable plant genotypes and optimisation of culture media for fibre crops and medicinal plants.
5. Long-term storage of plant material.

Other achievements

1. Analysis of scientific and technical developments in biotechnology and the application of these achievements in fibre crop and medicinal plant cultivation.
2. Cooperation with other departments at the Institute and other domestic and foreign scientific institutions in the area of plant biotechnology and genomics and pharmacogenetic tests.
3. Use of nanotechnology to obtain plant-based active ingredients for biomedical purposes.
4. Characterisation of plant-based biologically active compounds in in vitro models using plant, animal and human cells.
5. Development of methods for obtaining healthy sage seedlings in pots. SALVITRO - Healthy sage seedlings from in vitro cultures for use as spice or ornamental plants. “Innovation Incubator 4.0” - “PLANT-TECH 4.0” Project under the 2014-2020 Smart Growth Operational Programme.
6.  An innovative research and implementation programme relating to the cultivation of hemp other than fibre hemp (medical cannabis) in Poland to manufacture pharmaceutical raw materials.
7. Participation in the work of the Committee for GMMs and GMOs.
8. Establishment of cooperation with the Institute of Health and Biological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) in Brazil

Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

Acting Department Head: prof. dr hab. Ryszard Słomski

The main tasks of the department are to:

1. Carry out research in the area of the culturing and research applications of stem cells and classical cell cultures.
2. Develop innovative applications of stem cell cultures and classical cell cultures as a model for testing the effectiveness and toxicity of medicines and herbal preparations.
3. Carry out research aimed at replacing in vivo animal testing with in vitro studies using stem cell models.
4. Assess the molecular mechanism of action of medicinal products and plant extracts in an in vitro model on xenobiotic biotransformation processes and the course of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases in innovative models using stem cells.
5. Study the molecular mechanism of interaction between synthetic drugs and herbal medicines and food supplements in innovative models using stem cells.
6. Study the molecular mechanisms of the genotoxicity of standardised plant extracts and preparations of plant origin in innovative models using stem cells.
7. Study the molecular mechanisms of effectiveness of phytotherapy in innovative models using stem cells.
8. Cooperate with other domestic and foreign scientific bodies involved in stem cell culturing in order to establish a research consortium.
9. Provide services to the herbal industry and other institutions (mainly the manufacturers of food supplements, herbal medicines and cosmetics based on herbal raw materials), including to participate in the development of new medicines of plant origin, cosmetics and food supplements containing plant materials.
10.  Cooperate with other departments of the Institute in carrying out research requiring the use of cell cultures and carry out other tasks assigned to the department by the Management of the Institute.