Gwethlyn Meyer

Contribute to projects dealing with in vitro culture of sugarcane, precision breeding and molecular analysis of transgenic plants.

• Tissue culture of sugarcane.
• Precision breeding using microprojectile bombardment.
• DNA analysis: PCR, Southern blot analysis.
• Protein detection: Western blots.Tissue culture of sugarcane.
• Precision breeding using microprojectile bombardment.
• DNA analysis: PCR, Southern blot analysis.
• Protein detection: Western blots.

• Direct and indirect morphogenesis of sugarcane in vitro, in semi-solid media and temporary immersion RITA® bioreactors.
• Acclimatisation of tissue culture-derived plantlets.
• Production and analysis of transgenic sugarcane plants.

• Involvement in scaling up production of NovaCane® plants for use in regional seedcane schemes.
• Use of novel explant source, leaf roll discs containing floral initials, as recipient tissue for DNA delivery.

Snyman SJ, Meyer GM, Richards JM, Haricharan N, Ramgareeb S and Huckett BI (2006) Refining the application of direct embryogenesis in sugarcane: effect of the developmental phase of leaf disc explants and the timing of DNA transfer on transformation efficiency. Plant Cell Reports 25:1016-1023.

MSc (Natal).