The tissue culture laboratory facilitates germplasm exchange through cleaning of virus infected breeders' seed or high value plant materials using a combination of thermotherapy and meristem tip culture. Virus infected plants are first subjected to thermotherapy treatment, followed by meristem tip excision from the treated plants. These meristem tips are then cultured in vitro to produce disease free clean plant materials/germplasm. To date, the lab has produced clean cassava, potato, sweetpotato, yams and sisal planting materials. As the Centre of Excellence in germplasm exchange in Eastern and Central Africa, the lab has capacity in germplasm exchange, virus cleaning and micro-propagation. The lab also hosts and collaborates with several organizations, such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Potato Centre (CIP), and the Pyrethrum Directorate and Fibre Crops Directorates of AFA.
