Weyerhaeuser Nr Company

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

Bonnie Larson

Pramod K Gupta

Diane Gail Holmstrom

Doris Budworth

Judith Zucati

The present invention provides methods for regrowth of conifer embryogenic cells. The methods comprise the steps of (a) contacting cryopreserved conifer embryogenic cells with a liquid transition medium, and (b) culturing the contacted conifer embryogenic cells in a regrowth medium to generate regrowth of the conifer embryogenic cells. Generally, the cryopreserved conifer embryogenic cells are contacted with the liquid transition medium for less than about 24 hours, such as for about one hour.

Methods and compositions for regrowth of cryopreserved conifer embryos

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for producing conifer somatic embryos. The methods of this aspect of the invention each include the steps of cultivating conifer embryogenic cells in, or on, a synchronization medium that comprises an absorbent composition and at least one synchronization agent selected from the group consisting of abscisic acid and a gibberellin. Some embodiments of the methods provide a synchronized population of conifer somatic embryos wherein at least about 50% of the embryos are at about the same developmental stage. Some embodiments of the methods of the invention yield at least 100% more cotyledonary somatic embryos than an identical method for producing conifer somatic embryos that does not utilize a synchronization medium comprising an absorbent composition and at least one synchronization agent selected from the group consisting of abscisic acid and a gibberellin.

Methods for producing a synchronized population of conifer somatic embryos

The invention provides methods for producing pine somatic embryos using a liquid development medium and/or a liquid stratification medium. In a first aspect, the methods comprise the step of culturing embryogenic cells in, or on, a liquid development medium to produce cotyledonary pine somatic embryos. In another aspect, the methods comprise the step of culturing pine cotyledonary somatic embryos in, or on, a liquid stratification medium to produce stratified cotyledonary somatic embryos. The invention also provides methods for producing pine somatic embryos in bioreactors.

Development and stratification of pine somatic embryos using a liquid system

The present invention provides methods for multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue. The methods of the present invention each include the step of continuously culturing conifer embryogenic tissue in liquid multiplication medium for a period of time sufficient for the embryogenic tissue to multiply.

Continuous culture of conifer embryogenic tissue

The present invention provides methods for producing cotyledonary pine embryos. The methods of the invention each include the step of culturing embryogenic pine tissue in, or on, a medium comprising a disaccharide and glucose to yield cotyledonary pine embryos, wherein the disaccharide and glucose are each present in the medium at a concentration of less than 3 percent. The present invention also provides cotyledonary pine embryos prepared by a method of the invention.

Methods for producing high yields of zygotic-like cotyledonary pine embryos utilizing media that include a disaccharide and glucose

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for producing mature conifer somatic embryos. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing pre-cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos in, or on, a development medium comprising less than 0.5% of gellan gum to form cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos; and (b) culturing cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos formed in step (a) in, or on, a maturation medium comprising between about 0.5% to about 1.5% of gellan gum to form mature conifer somatic embryos. In some embodiments, the maturation medium further comprises sucrose and/or abscisic acid.

Methods for promoting maturation of conifer somatic embryos

The present invention provides methods for producing conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos. The methods of the present invention each includes the step of culturing embryogenic conifer tissue in, or on, a development medium for a period of time sufficient to produce conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos from the embryogenic conifer tissue, wherein the volume of development medium is in the range of from about 35 ml to about 50 ml per 0.5 mL of embryogenic conifer tissue.

Methods for developing conifer somatic embryos

The present invention provides methods for producing cotyledonary pine embryos. The methods of the invention each include the step of culturing embryogenic pine tissue in, or on, a medium including at least one gibberellin to yield cotyledonary pine embryos. In some embodiments, an absorbent composition, such as activated charcoal, is included in the medium to further promote production of cotyledonary pine embryos.

Growing community of inventors

Granite Falls, WA, United States of America

Bonnie Larson