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Embryo production through somatic embryogenesis can be used to study cell differentiation in plants

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Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis is the process by which somatic cells, under induction conditions, generate embryogenic cells, which go through a series of morphological and biochemical changes that result in the formation of a somatic embryo. Somatic embryogenesis differs from zygotic embryogenesis in that it is observable, its various culture conditions can be controlled, and a lack of material is not a limiting factor for experimentation. These characteristics have converted somatic embryogenesis into a model system for the study of morphological, physiological, molecular and biochemical events occurring during the onset and development of embryogenesis in higher plants; it also has potential biotechnological applications. The focus of this review is on embryo development through somatic embryogenesis and especially the factors affecting cell and embryo differentiation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the help of Emily Wortman-Wunder and Dayakar Badri for the English correction of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), AP 510-3 Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, CP 62210, México

    Francisco R. Quiroz-Figueroa

  2. Unidad Sureste, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, Jalisco, México

    Rafael Rojas-Herrera

  3. Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán, CP 97200, México

    Rosa M. Galaz-Avalos & Víctor M. Loyola-Vargas

  4. Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1173, USA

    Víctor M. Loyola-Vargas

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  1. Francisco R. Quiroz-Figueroa
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  2. Rafael Rojas-Herrera
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  3. Rosa M. Galaz-Avalos
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  4. Víctor M. Loyola-Vargas
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Correspondence to Víctor M. Loyola-Vargas.

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Quiroz-Figueroa, F.R., Rojas-Herrera, R., Galaz-Avalos, R.M. et al. Embryo production through somatic embryogenesis can be used to study cell differentiation in plants. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 86, 285–301 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-006-9139-6

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