Cold stress effects on organelle ultrastructure in polar Caryophyllaceae species

Abstract: This study investigated leaf mesophyll cells of Caryophyllaceae plants growing in polar regions -Cerastium alpinum and Silene involucrata from the Hornsund region of Spitsbergen island (Svalbard Archipelago, Arctic), and Colobanthus quitensis from the Ad− miralty Bay region on King George Island (South Shetland Islands, West Antarctic). Ultra− structural changes were analyzed in mesophyll protoplasts of plants growing in natural Arctic and Antarctic habitats and plants grown in a greenhouse, including plants exposed to short−term cold stress under semi−controlled conditions. Cell organelles of plants growing in natural polar habitats and greenhouse−grown plants were characterized by significant mor− phological plasticity. Chloroplasts of plants studied in this work formed variously shaped pro− trusions and invaginations that visibly increased the contact area between adjacent cell com− partments and reduced the distance between organelles. S. involucrata plants grown under greenhouse conditions, tested by us in this work, were characterized by highly dynamic cell nuclei with single or multiple invaginations of the nuclear membrane and the presence of channels and cisternae filled with cytoplasm and organelles. Crystalline inclusion proteins were observed in the cell nuclei of C. quitensis between nuclear membranes and in the direct proximity of heterochromatin. Our study revealed significant conformational dynamics of organelles, manifested by variations in the optical density of matrices, membranes and enve− lopes, in particular in C. quitensis, which could suggest that the analyzed Caryophyllaceae taxa are well adapted to severe climate and changing conditions in polar regions

Bio-economy, biotechnology and new genetic engineering techniques. Modern biotechnology based bioeconomy in a circular economy Opinion of the Committee of Biotechnology PAS

Bioeconomy is an important element of the Polish economy and the basis of bioeconomy is innovative biotechnology. The development of bio-economy (especially in closed circuit) requires modern “bio” technology. The resignation of such elements in the economy as achievements of modern biotechnology – albeit possible – is associated with a significant increase in development costs and the loss of access to innovative technologies that are essential for the today and future economy of the country. It is necessary to gain public acceptance for the emerging market of bioproducts, bioservice and bioprocesses. Legislation ammendment supporting innovation in general, and bio domains in particular, is a necessity. The current state of Polish biotechnology is presented on the basis of detailed studies and published on the website of the Biotechnology Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences: “Biotechnological centers in Poland – MAP OF POLISH BIOTECHNOLOGY”; on this page you will find as well this report (www.kbiotech.pan.pl)