Chapter 17 Tissue Culture: Micropropagation 441
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Micropropagation Lab Technician
Technicians, sometimes called culturists, must be profi cient in plant
tissue culture techniques. This includes being able to prepare media,
micropropagate materials, and index (create databases) plants. Technicians
work in a laboratory and must take notes, make charts and graphs, and
have the ability to synthesize information into a written document.
Attention to detail in this position is extremely important. Technicians must
also maintain accurate daily records and ensure that all plant material,
laboratory supplies, and equipment are tracked in an inventory system or
database. An associate’s degree or equivalent work experience in the same
fi eld is usually required.
Biotechnology positions, such as
a micropropagation technician, often
have policies that demand ethical
and professional behaviors from their
employees. Technicians are often prohibited
from discussing their research and data
with anyone outside of the company.
Cryopreservation Scientist
Cryopreservation scientists use
cryogenics to preserve and store botanical
germplasm (a collection of genetic
resources for an organism), plant tissue
culture, and seeds in facilities around
the United States. One such facility is the
USDA’s Agriculture Research Service
(ARS) National Center for Genetic
Resources Preservation (NCGRP)
cryogenic storage vault in Ft. Collins,
Colorado, Figure 17-16.
The NCGRP facility, which operates
more than 45 cryogenic tanks, is the
largest agricultural gene bank facility
in the United States. The staff conducts
research to acquire more effi cient and
effective methods for preserving plant
germplasm. The research fi ndings,
preservation techniques, and specialized
technology developed by the NCGRP have
been embraced and implemented by gene
banks around the world. Scientists from
around the world travel to the NCGRP for
research and training. (The NCGRP also
researches and stores genetic materials
from animals.)
Did You Know?
Frogs can survive
freezing and thawing
throughout the winter
months. As long as
no more than 65%
of their total body
water freezes, they
will survive. New cells
will be regenerated to
replace damaged cells.
B
USDA/Lance Cheung
Figure 17-16. A—Specialized tanks at a USDA/ARS cryopreservation
bank in Colorado are used to preserve plant germplasm for future
use. B—A technician at a cryopreservation plant exams plant
germplasm that was stored in the cryopreservation tanks at more
than –300°F (–184°C) and will remain viable for decades.
A
USDA/Lance Cheung