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Team 'Lab and Imaging'

Mission

The Lab and Imaging team (LIT) brings together different fields of expertise of lab and imaging techniques in support of scientific research: it combines molecular and morphological research, botanical illustrations and graphic design.

Team’s activities

The molecular lab is an indispensable asset to botanical, mycological, and phycological research. Molecular genetic techniques are applied to address a wide range of research questions, from conservation and population genetics, through taxonomic research and the construction of phylogenetic hypotheses, to the screening of plant pathogens and endophytes. Our lab specialists perform these analyses, train students and visiting scientists in molecular genetic techniques, and ensure that the laboratory operations run smoothly.

Comparative morphology remains the cornerstone of taxonomic research worldwide, offering invaluable insights into the structure of organisms. A variety of techniques are used to visualise structures that are not easily detected or too minute to see with the naked eye. Light microscopy stands out as the most widely used method for examining microscopic structures but it requires meticulous sample preparation through microtomy and staining for achieving optimal results. A digital Keyence microscope is commonly used when imaging leaf and seed traits, lichens, and mosses. Finally, our Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) enables the visualisation of the surfaces of the tiniest structures, such as diatoms, pollen, and spores.

Complementing our high-tech imaging facilities, we integrate the time-honored tradition of scientific botanical illustration. Unlike photography, these drawings allow for the abstraction and emphasis of specific diagnostic morphological characters, making them essential not only for taxonomic descriptions, but also for communicating plant diversity to a broader audience. Additionally, our graphic design expertise supports researchers in visualizing their data, ensuring that scientific figures, manuscripts, and visual communication to the outside world meet the highest professional standards.

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