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Laboratories
Microscopy laboratoryThe microscopy laboratory, established in 1983, is equipped for both light and scanning electron microscopy. Current equipment includes:
A complete microscopy service is available including specimen preparation, microscopy and photography. Training and support is provided on all instruments, and users are encouraged to complete their own projects. A transmission electron microscopy service is available by arrangement with the Sydney Eye Hospital. A full list of users and projects is available in the current Plant Sciences annual report Our team
Molecular systematics laboratoryThe laboratory opened in 1982 as a general laboratory with facilities for plant histology, chromosome analysis, and general laboratory techniques. Molecular systematic work commenced in 1991. The laboratory was enlarged and upgraded in 1996 and is now used primarily for phylogenetic and population studies based on DNA sequencing and the use of molecular markers. The laboratory contains space for five full-time researchers and is equipped for
A full list of users and projects is available in the current Plant Sciences annual report. Our team
Horticulture laboratoriesSituated at Mount Annan Botanic Garden, the horticultural research facility focuses on the ex situ conservation of rare and threatened species. The research laboratory was established in 1989 with a tissue culture laboratory the dominant design feature. Tissue culture laboratoryThe tissue culture laboratory is used for maintaining parental material in vitro, bulking up of commercial lines and providing a support function for the Mount Annan Botanic Garden’s nursery and the needs of our other Gardens. In addition the laboratory is used to develop protocols for species found to be difficult to vegetatively propagate and/or germinate from seed. The tissue culture laboratory plays an essential role in assisting the NSW Seedbank meet its conservation objectives. The research area is divided into clean and dirty laboratories with a walk-in controlled environment room, allowing for the high standard of cleanliness required for tissue culture sterility. Our team
NSW SeedbankIn 1999 NSW Treasury provided capital funds for the redevelopment of the NSW Seedbank facility. This redevelopment included a seed drying room, walk-in coolroom and freezer, seed testing room and additional office space, making it one of the best seedbanks in Australia and the major repository for NSW threatened species. The storage of NSW threatened species is considered to be part of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ core role. The aim of the NSW Seedbank is to collect and store a genetically representative samples of seed from endangered and threatened species or populations of NSW flora. The seedbank facilities have been designed for the storage of orthodox species. For this reason the priorities will initially focus on orthodox species for which there is some knowledge of seed germination, i.e. in the plant families Fabaceae and Myrtaceae. This will allow the establishment and development of operational procedures. Our team
Click here to find out about the role of the NSW Seedbank. Plant Pathology laboratoryThe Plant Pathology laboratory was constructed in 1990 as part of the propagation building in the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney Depot area. It consisted of a single large laboratory and growth room, and has since been further divided to create a ‘dirty’ lab for handling diseased plant material and soil and a clean lab for media preparation and molecular diagnostics. All culture work is done in the growth room. A small microscope lab/office is used for microscopy and photomicrography requirements. Current equipment includes
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