Unit of Anatomy and Micromorphology

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Unit of Anatomy and Micromorphology (resp.: Dr F. Stauffer)

The laboratory of micromorphology of the CJBG centres its interest on the detailed study of the floral structure and ontogeny of the monocotyledons, notably the palm family (Arecaceae). As well as the standard methods of histology, based on the production and interpretation of anatomical sections, our laboratory has recourse to high performance techniques using the resin 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA = GMA) which infiltrates the floral tissue of palms. Our laboratory research is completed with observations made using the scanning electron microscope (MEB) of the Natural History Museum of Geneva (Dr. André Puiz).

The micromorphology laboratory frequently accommodates Biology students from the University of Geneva; nevertheless, it is also open to all researchers wishing to investigate floral structure and ontogeny

National and International collaboration

The majority of the research carried out in the laboratory is done in close collaboration with similar centres in Europe. This synergy is particularly active with the following laboratories.

Laboratory of Plant histology and Cytology from the Biology section, University of Geneva (Dr Michèle Crèvecoeur)

Laboratory of Micromorphology, Istitute of Systematic Botany, University of Zürich (Dr Peter Endress)

Laboratory of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark (Dr Anders Barford)

Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Dr Paula Rudall)

To find out more about the techniques used in our laboratory

• ERBAR C. 1995. On the floral development of Sphenoclea zeylanica (Sphenocleaceae, Campanulales). SEM-investigations on herbarium material. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 117: 469-483.
• IGERSHEIM A. & O. CICHOCKI. 1996. A simple method for microtome sectioning of prehistoric charcoal specimens, embedded in 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Rev. Paleobot. Palynol. 92: 389-393.
• STAUFFER F. W., W. J. BAKER, J. DRANSFIELD, and P. K. ENDRESS. 2004. Comparative floral structure and systematics of Pelagodoxa and Sommieria (Arecaceae). Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 146: 27-39.

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