Plant tissue and cell culture technology services

Plant tissue and cell culture is defined as the cultivation of plant cells and tissues under sterile controlled environments. These methodologies can be used in applied research to accelerate crop improvement as well as in fundamental research to understand the physiological, genomic or biochemical processes in plants.

Technical service highlights

Located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, our team offers plant cell and tissue culture technologies to help innovate clients plant improvement activities and research initiatives. Our facility has over 10,000 square feet of plant growth area in combination with greenhouse, tissue culture, growth chambers and secure seed storage. Our laboratories are all equipped to carry out the plant tissue culture activities.

What we offer

With expertise in plant cell technologies and genetic improvement, we work with clients to produce tissue culture-derived plants, perform proof-of-concept experiments and develop tissue culture protocols for a wide range of species. We also conduct routine production of transformants and gene modified plants. We have expertise in cereals, oilseeds, pulses, forages, horticultural crops as well as medicinal plants.

Our cell culture strengths encompass:

• Doubled haploidy
• Transformation
• Gene modification
• Suspension cultures
• Protoplast and meristem culture
• Somatic embryogenesis
• In vitro selection
• Embryo rescue techniques
• Micrografting
• Micropropagation and regeneration.

These tissue culture technologies can enhance your research program by accelerating the development of elite lines or new varieties, achieving homozygosity, incorporating traits of interest, propagating desirable genotypes, as well as conducting basic research.

Why work with us

The NRC's Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre in Saskatoon is renowned for its plant cell and tissue culture research with expertise in a range of species. We continue to expand our research offerings (i.e., responsive species, responsive genotypes, cell culture methodologies) as we work within our organization to incorporate genomics and analytical processes. We work with small and large companies and organizations conducting plant and plant product research.

Fees

We offer specialized and customized services at competitive rates, which include the support of scientific and technical experts and a full range of analytical capabilities. We also offer the opportunity for collaboration and/or for our partners to co-locate with us. Contact us to learn more about of our Canada-wide networking, research and development, as well as business development opportunities.