Laboratory of Seed Biochemistry


Head: Prof. Stanisława Pukacka

Scientific staff:

  • Stanisława Pukacka - Professor Adres poczty elektronicznej jest chroniony przed robotami spamującymi. W przeglądarce musi być włączona obsługa JavaScript, żeby go zobaczyć.
  • Ewelina Wójkiewicz-Ratajczak - PhD Adres poczty elektronicznej jest chroniony przed robotami spamującymi. W przeglądarce musi być włączona obsługa JavaScript, żeby go zobaczyć.
  • Ewa Kalemba - PhD Adres poczty elektronicznej jest chroniony przed robotami spamującymi. W przeglądarce musi być włączona obsługa JavaScript, żeby go zobaczyć.

Technical staff:

  • Danuta Ratajczak

Research interests:

  • The mechanisms of desiccation tolerance of tree seeds (Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer saccharinum, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur)
    1. Acquisition and loss of desiccation tolerance
    2. Role of oligosaccharides in desiccation tolerance
      1. oligosaccharide accumulation
      2. oligosaccharide metabolism
    3. Role of ABA in desiccation tolerance
    4. Oxidative damages and defense reactions in orthodox and recalcitrant seeds during desiccation. The role of ascorbate-glutathione pathways.
    5. Role of LEA and sHSP proteins in desiccation tolerance
    6. Role of thiol compounds and redox state in desiccation tolerance.
  • Biochemical basis of longevity of tree seeds
    1. Sensibility of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds to changed temperature and moisture conditions during storage
      1. viability
      2. oxidative stress and defense reactions
    2. Sensibility of beech seeds to drying conditions effect of temperature drying on viability and seed storability
    3. Water relations in beech seeds
      1. free water content in embryo axes and cotyledons
      2. water sorption by embryo axes and cotyledons (water sorption isotherms)
      3. glass transition in beech seeds studied by spin label electron paramagnetic resonance
    4. The role of LEA and sHSP proteins in seed longevity
    5. The role of peroxiredoxins and redox state in seed longevity

 

List of selected grants and scientific research

  • Adaptation of Scots pine to environmental pollution. 1996-1999 (P.M. Pukacki, S. Pukacka, A. Górska).
  • Biochemical basis of reproductivity of Fagus sylcatica seeds. 2000-2003, (S. Pukacka, E. Ratajczak, P.M. Pukacki)
  • Molecular and physiological factors influenced longevity of beech (Fagus sylvatica L) seeds. 2004 - 2007. (S. Pukacka, E. Ratajczak, E. Kalemba)
  • Functional analysis of dehydrins and LEA-like proteins in seeds of broadleaves species. 2008-2011, (E.M. Kalemba, E. Ratajczak, S. Pukacka)
  • The role of peroxiredoxins and changes in redox state of seed cells of broadleaves species during development desiccation and storage. 2009 - 2012. (E. Ratajczak, E.M. Kalemba, S. Pukacka).

 

Selected publications:

Pukacka S., Ratajczak E., Kalemba E. 2009. Non-reducing sugar levels in beech (Fagus sylvatica) seeds as related to withstanding desiccation and storage. J. Plant Physiol. 166: 1381-1390.

Borek S., Pukacka S., Michalski K., Ratajczak L. 2009. Lipid and protein accumulation in developing seeds of three lupine species: Lupinus luteus L., Lupinus albus L. and Lupinus mutabilis Sweet. J. Exp. Bot. 60: 3453-3466

Kalemba E., Janowiak F, Pukacka S. 2009. Desiccation tolerance acquisition in developing beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds: the contribution of dehydrin-like protein. Trees 23: 305-315.

Kalemba E.M., Pukacka S. 2008. Changes in late embryogenesis abundant proteins and small heat shock protein during storage of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds. Env. Exp. Bot. 63:274-280.

Pukacka S. Ratajczak E. 2007. Age-related biochemical changes during storage of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds. Seed Sci. Res. 17: 45-53.

Pukacka S., Ratajczak E. 2007. Ascorbate and glutathione metabolism during development and desiccation of orthodox and recalcitrant seeds of the genus Acer. Funct. Plant Biol. 34: 601-613.

Kalemba E., Pukacka S. 2007. Possible roles of LEA proteins and sHSPs in seed protection , a short review. Biological Lett. 44:1-8

Pukacka S. 2007. Hormonal regulation of growth and development. In: M.G.Tjoelker, A. Boratyński, W. Bugała (eds). Biology and Ecology of Norway Spruce pp: 71- 80. Springer

Ratajczak E., Pukacka S. 2006. Changes in the ascorbate-glutathione system during storage of recalcitrant seeds of Acer saccharinum L. Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. 1: 23-27.

Pukacka S. 2006. Wzrost i rozwój. W: Monografie: "Nasze Drzewa Leśne" T 11 Dęby [Quercus robur L. i Q. petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] Red. W. Bugała, Wyd. Sorus, 165-184.

Pukacka S. Ratajczak E. 2006. Antioxidative response of ascorbate-glutathione pathway enzymes and metabolites to desiccation of recalcitrant Acer saccharinum seeds. J. Plant Physiol. 163: 1259-1266

Pukacka S., Ratajczak E. 2005. Production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species in Fagus sylvatica seeds during storage at varied temperature and humidity. J. Plant Physiol. 162: 873-885

Ratajczak E., Pukacka S. 2005. Decrease of beech (Fagus sylvatica) seed viability caused by temperature and humidity conditions as related to membrane damage and lipid composition. Acta Physiol. Plant. 27.1.3-12.

Pukacka S., Wójkiewicz E. 2003. The effect of the temperature of drying on viability and some factors affecting storability of Fagus sylvatica Acta Physiol. Plant. 25.2. 163-169. seeds.

Pukacka S., Hoffmann S.K., Goslar J., Pukacki P.M., Wójkiewicz E. 2003. Water and lipid reactions in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds and its effect on storage behaviour. Bioch. Biophys. Acta 1621: 48-56.

Pukacka S., Gawrońska H. 2002. Changes in abscisic acid levels in embryo axes of Norway maple and sycamore seeds during maturation and dehydration. Acta Physiol. Plant. 24, 2:149-155

Pukacka S., Wójkiewicz E. 2002. Carbohydrate metabolism in Norway maple and sycamore seeds in relation to desiccation tolerance. J. Plant Physiol. 159: 273-279.

Lorenc-Plucińska G. Szadel A., Plucinski A., Pukacka S. 2001. Sucrose degradation in sink and source poplar leaves treated with sulfite. Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. 70: 209-214.

Pukacka S. 2001. Loss of tolerance to desiccation in germinated Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) seeds. Changes in carbohydrate content. Dendrobiology 46: 43-48.

Pukacka S., Pukacki P.M. 2000. Seasonal changes in antioxidant level of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles exposed to industrial pollution. II. Enzymatic scavengers activities. Acta Physiol. Plant. 22: 457-464

Pukacka S., Pukacki P.M. 2000. Seasonal changes in antioxidant level of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles exposed to industrial pollution. I. Ascorbate and thiol content. Acta Physiol. Plant. 22: 451-456