People
Marks, Timothy R
| Job Title | Conservation Biotechnologist |
|---|---|
| Department | Seed Conservation |
| Section | |
| Science Teams | |
| Joined Kew | 2006 |
| Foreign Language(s) | None |
Qualifications & Appointments
BSc (Hons) Univ. Hertfordshire, 1978
PhD, Univ. London, 1983
PGCE, Canterbury Christ Church University, 2005
Editorial boards, South African Journal of Botany, Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture
Role
Biotechnology of seed conservation, application to non-orthodox species especially trees, palms and orchids, elucidating desiccation tolerance and seed storage longevity
Current research focuses upon two key plant families (Arecaceae and Orchidaceae), and upon two critical areas of concern for seed banking; tolerance of seeds to desiccation, and seed longevity under storage conditions. A database is being constructed to relate desiccation tolerance in palms, along with their morphological characteristics, to their phylogenetic relationships and adaptation to their natural environment. Alternative banking strategies are being developed for non-orthodox seeds incorporating embryo rescue and cryopreservation. The longevity of orchid seed under standard seed bank conditions is variably limited, and methods including cryopreservation are being developed. Critical to success is understanding the importance of moisture content at ultra-low temperatures. To progress seed research on these two families, international research networks are being established. Current training activities include the supervision of a PhD student and a college-based sandwich course student, and I have acted as external examiner for PhD and MSc theses. I have editing and reviewing responsibilities for international plant science journals.
Projects
Ex Situ Conservation of Recalcitrant Seeds: Towards the Delivery of Target 8 of the GSPC
Selected Publications 2001-2005
Cameron, R.W.F., Harrison-Murray, R.S., Judd, H.L., Marks, T.R., Ford, Y.-Y. and Bates, C.H.A. (2005). The effects of photoperiod and light spectrum on stock plant growth and rooting of cuttings of Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 80, 245-253.
Blakesley, D. and Marks, T.R. (2003). Crop Improvement and Biotechnology: Clonal Forestry. In: Encyclopaedia of Applied Plant Sciences. (Eds. B. Thomas, D. Murphy and B. Murray). Elsevier. ISBN: 0-12-227050-9.
Ford, Y.-Y., Taylor, J.M., Blake, P.S. and Marks, T.R. (2002). Gibberellin A3 stimulates adventitious rooting of cuttings for cherry (Prunus avium). Plant Growth Regulation 37, 127-133.
Whitehouse, A.B., Marks, T.R. and Edwards, G.A. (2002). Control of hyperhydricity in Eucalyptus axillary shoots grown in liquid medium. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 71, 245-252.
Marks, T.R., Ford, Y.-Y., Cameron, R.W.F., Goodwin, C, Myers, P.E. and Judd, H.L. (2002). A role for polar auxin transport in rhizogenesis. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 70, 189-198.
Selected Publications pre-2001
Marks, T.R. and Simpson, S.E. (2000). Rhizogenesis in Forsythia x intermedia and Syringa vulgaris; application of a simple internode experimental system. Plant Cell Reports 19, 1171-1176.
Marks, T.R. and Simpson, S.E. (1999). Effect of irradiance on shoot development in vitro. Plant Growth Regulation 28, 133-142.
Marks, T.R. (1997). Micropropagation of Daphne L. Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Vol 40, High-Tech and Micropropagation VI (Ed. by Y.P.S. Bajaj). Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg 113-130.
Marks, T.R. and Myers, P.E. (1994). Physiological variability arising from in vitro culture is induced by shoot selection and manipulation strategies. Journal of Horticultural Science 69, 1-9.
Marks, T.R. and Simpson, S.E. (1993). Changes in the competence of Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' to grow in vitro as affected by seedling rootstocks and differential pruning. Journal of Horticultural Science 68, 815-824.