I have a strong interest in utilising biotechnology tools for the further development of the current cryopreservation techniques. My research interests involve the development of these cryopreservation protocols for the long-term conservation of native Australian plant species.

In addition I have focused on the analysing changes in the metabolism, antioxidants, lipids and sugars during the cryopreservation protocols to gain a greater understanding of the stresses imposed by cryopreservation, and with this knowledge we can further develop and enhance our current cryopreservation protocols.

Research themes

• Conservation Biotechnology
• Cryopreservation
• Tissue culture
• Lipidomics
• Metabolomics
• Redox environment
• Antioxidants / Oxidative stress

Major projects

• Cryopreservation of native Australian plant species.
• Comparative lipidomic analysis between cryo-sensitive and cryo-tolerant plant species.
• Mitochondrial function and stability during cryopreservation.

Visit the Conservation Biotechnology section to learn more about current projects.

Selected publications

Funnekotter B, Mancera RL and Bunn E (2017) Advances in understanding the fundamental aspects required for successful cryopreservation of Australian flora. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant 53, 289-298.

Funnekotter B, Colville L, Kaczmarczyk A, Turner SR, Bunn E and Mancera RL (2017) Monitoring of oxidative status in three native Australian species during cold acclimation and cryopreservation. Plant Cell Reports, 1-14.

Funnekotter B, Bunn E and Mancera RL (2017) Cryo-mesh: a simple alternative cryopreservation protocol. CryoLetters 38, 155-159.

Funnekotter B, Whiteley SE, Turner SR, Bunn E and Mancera RL (2015) Evaluation of the new vacuum infiltration vitrification (VIV) cryopreservation technique for native Australian plant shoot tips. CryoLetters 36 (2): 104-113.

Menon A, Funnekotter B, Kaczmarczyk A, Bunn E, Turner S and Mancera RL (2014) Cold-induced changes affect survival after exposure to vitrification solution during cryopreservation in the south-west Australian Mediterranean climate species Lomandra sonderi (Asparagaceae). Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 119 (2): 347-358.