- July 25, 2023
The Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management (ICCEM) recently conducted a tissue planting activity using eggplant (Solanum melongena), pepper (Capsicum frutescens), and katmon (Dillenia philippinensis), a tree from the Dilleniaceae family that is endemic to the Philippines on July 20, 2023 at ICCEM’s Molecular and Biotechnology Laboratory to provide a hands-on experience for the participants and raise awareness about the importance of plant conservation.
The activity aimed to introduce the basic concepts and techniques of plant tissue culture and allow the participants to learn about the process of plant growth and development in a controlled environment.
Heading the said activity were Mr. Edmark Bulaong, a faculty member, and Ms. Mary Angella Tolentino, a researcher, both from ICCEM. The participants included ICCEM staff, interns from Tarlac State University (TSU), and students from the Departments of Environmental Science and Statistics of the College of Science (CoS), and the Department of Social Science of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS).
To ensure that the participants were equipped with the necessary skills, basic laboratory protocols were first discussed, particularly the aseptic technique. On the first day, the growing medium was prepared and sterilized using an autoclave. On the second day, the tissue culture was carried out in a dark room. The growth of calluses was then regularly monitored.
With the increasing threat of climate change and environmental degradation, activities such as this are crucial in promoting sustainable practices and preserving biodiversity.
Photo and News by: Ronel B. Runes and Ace Lorenz S. Bagsic
