Monthly Meeting: Conservation of plant biodiversity: The role of in vitro technologies

Speaker: Dr. Praveen Saxena, Director, Gosling Research Institute for Plant Preservation, University of Guelph

Free – no registration required

Human activity, the spread of pathogens, and climate change patterns are leading to the global mass extinction of both ecologically and economically important species. Plant biodiversity has been seriously impacted by excessive harvest of plants with little efforts to replenish their populations in natural habitats. The mission of research at the Gosling Research Institute for Plant Preservation (GRIPP) is to develop novel approaches for in vitro conservation and propagation of critically endangered species as well as plant genetic resources that are critical to the survival of the growing human population. In vitro technologies are highly effective for rapid plant multiplication, cost-effective long-term conservation, and species restoration in natural habitats. This presentation will provide an overview of GRIPP’s recent research on the application of in vitro technologies for conservation of a range of plant species. The plants of interest in this project include species that are rare, endangered, traditionally used in medicinal, spiritual, and cultural practices, or are critical to food security. The role of human neurotransmitters melatonin and serotonin in plant conservation will also be discussed.

Dr. Praveen Saxena is a Professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture and serves as the director of the Gosling Research Institute for Plant Preservation (GRIPP) at the University of Guelph. Dr Saxena’s research programs on biotechnology-based conservation systems aim to develop an interdisciplinary platform for research, education, and service to prevent the loss of plant species valuable to life on earth. Dr Saxena has contributed 215 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, 23 reviews, and 4 edited books. He also publishes an online magazine “Spiritual Botany” (www.spiritualbotany.com), which offers a platform to learn and disseminate information on the role of plants in the wellness of humans and the planet earth.

Please join us before the meeting at 7:00 p.m. for social time.

In-person location:  The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn Street South, Hamilton, ON

Zoom Webinar link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83351442796 Passcode 199072