DBN Plant Molecular Laboratory

A DNA Bank in the Botanic Gardens

The Plant Molecular Laboratory contains a DNA and Tissue Bank of a wide array of plant species.

This includes a suite of forest tree species in the National Forest Tree DNA bank. Approximately 3000 specimens are currently held and these comprise over 260 different taxa. The primary focus of the DNA and Tissue bank is for wild Irish species, including crop wild relatives and heritage crop varieties. However, it also contains taxa with a world wide distribution and specimens from the living collection in the garden. The collections are regularly used for research and collaborations.

The laboratory is equipped for genotyping and DNA sequencing and the focus is on developing and applying molecular markers in non-model species. Projects include DNA barcoding, population genetics, phylogeography and characterising plant genetic resources.