Physiology, developmental biology, controlled environment plant propagation, conservation, medicinal, ornamental, and endangered plant species

Research Interests:

The Plant Cell Technology Laboratory (PCTL) is focused on investigating the mechanisms which direct in vitro and in vivo plant growth and development. Specific research interests include: regulation of plant morphogenesis, modulation of plant metabolism in changing climates, micropropagation of ornamental and medicinal plant species, and the conservation of unique, rare, and endangered plants.

For further information please visit:
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/research/cellculture/

Selected Publications:

Murch, S.J., D. Ragone, W.L. Shi, A.R. Alan, P.K. Saxena. (2007). In Vitro conservation and sustained production of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae): Modern technologies to improve distribution of a traditional tropical crop. Naturwissenschaften (in press). 

Jones, M.P.A., J. Cao, R. O’Brien, S.J. Murch, P.K. Saxena. (2007) The mode of action of thidiazuron: auxins, indoleamines, and ion channels in the regeneration of Echinacea purpurea L. Plant Cell Reports. DOI 10.1007/s00299-007-0357-0

Jones, M.P.A., Z. Yi, S.J. Murch, P.K. Saxena. (2007) Thidiazuron-induced regeneration of Echinacea purpurea L.: Micropropagation in solid and liquid culture systems. Plant Cell Reports 26: 13–19

Murch, S.J., P.K. Saxena. (2006) St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.): Challenges and strategies for production of chemically-consistent plants. Can. J. Plant Sci. 86: 765–771.

Zheng, Y., M. Dixon, P.K. Saxena. (2006) Growing environment and nutrient availability affect the content of some phenolic compounds in Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia. Planta Medica 72: 1407-1414.

Murch, S.J. and P.K. Saxena. (2006) A melatonin-rich germplasm line of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). J Pineal Research 41: 284–287.