- Name:
- Betty Mauliya Bustam (Liya)
- Position:
- PhD Candidate
- Phone:
- (+61 8) 9480 3648
- Email:
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Research interests:
- Plant Micropropagation
- Plant Cryopreservation
Academic background:
1991-1996 Bachelor in Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Project Title: Anatomical characteristics of five different Fabaceae species.
2002-2006 MSc in Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Supervisors: Asoc. Prof. Paul Adam (UNSW), Dr. Surrey Jacobs and Joy Everett (Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney). Project Title: Systematic Studies of Stipoid Grasses. Note: Delayed due to research destruction by 2004 Tsunami in Banda Aceh.
Career History:
February 1997 - current Plant Biology lecturer at Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
August 2007 - August 2011 Secretary of Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
February 2001 - April 2002 Coordinator of Plant Anatomy Laboratory, Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
I am currently on a grant an Indonesian Higher Education (DIKTI) scholarship to pursue my PhD at UWA.
Current Project:
Title: Micropropagation and Cryopreservation of Drakaea spp. Endemic Western Australian Orchid
University: School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia
Supervisors: Prof Kingsley Dixon and Dr Eric Bunn
Description: Drakaeas (Hammer orchids) are endemic to South-Western Australia ranging from Kalbarri in the North to Esperance in the East. This genus is among the most endangered of Australian orchids. Efforts to conserve the genus have so far been restricted owing to the rarity of many Hammer orchid species and difficulties in obtaining sufficient seed (and mycorrhizal fungi) for in vitro germination and plant production for restoration purposes.Micropropagation i.e clonal in vitro propagation is unknown for this genus as is cryopreservation.
The main aims of the project involve research into suitable micropropagation and cryopreservation protocols for Drakaea spp. including: germinating seeds symbiotically and asymbiotically, developing cryopreservation protocols for protocorm at different stages, demonstrating survival of cryopreserved protocorms and growth to plantlets. However, due to limited seeds for experiment a common species Caladenia latifolia have been used for establishing basic techniques and protocols. Once basic micropropagation and cryopreservation protocols are established, these protocols will be tested and optimised for selected Drakaea spp. and finally for threatened Drakaea taxa.
To develop micropropagation protocol, selected mychorriza fungi along with Oat Meal Media (OMA) were used to germinate seeds symbiotically while four basal media: Pa5, Murashige-Skoog (MS), Vacin-Went (VW) and Knudson C (KC) with combination of plant growth regulator such as BA and NAA as well as fresh coconut water have been used to optimise germination of seeds asymbiotically. Successful germination in both germination techniques were recognized where seeds have reached stage 3 (forming protocorms). Then, protocorms at various stages of development will be utilized to optimise cryopreservation.