Infrastructure
Laboratories
The group has two laboratories with one being dedicated to molecular and the other to ecological studies.
The molecular labs are fully equipped for high throughput DNA-extraction on 96-well plates and all PCR-based methods such as microsatellites, AFLP, RFLP and sequencing. Several electrophoresis chambers and a digital UV-gel-documentation system help to visualize DNA. Genotyping and sequencing of the samples is undertaken in the Genetic Diversity Centre.
The Ecosystem Management group is a full member of the Genetic Diversity Centre (GDC), which provides access to state-of-the-art facilities in molecular biology, including automated DNA-extraction (Qiagen Biorobot 3000), protein/RNA-analysis (AB RT-PCR 7000), automated cell-counting, and sequence/fragment analysis (ABI 3730). GDC is a collaboration of several research groups of the ETH and associated institutes (EAWAG, WSL) which provides access to a range of sophisticated instruments and provides a platform for the exchange of experimental experience and methodical knowledge.
The ecological lab is equipped with a range of microscopes, including a high-resolution stereomicroscope with attached digital camera. Our fluorescence microscope is used extensively for pollen tube analyses. A range of analytical and field equipment is available for ecological analyses such as measurement of leaf secondary compounds.
Through the Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, we have access to a work-shop and a dust-lab including diverse mills and an array of drying ovens for example to dry plant material prior to weight measurements.
Plant growth facilities and greenhouses
Indoor plant facilities include five walk-in climate chambers built in 2007. They are temperature, light and humidity controlled and have a planting area of 2m2 each. For smaller sample arrays or to germinate seeds there are five temperature, light and humidity controlled growth cabinets. A sink with retention basin allows to wash roots for the final harvest.
At the ETH research station in Eschikon we have plenty of new (April 2008) greenhouse space allocated to our group. We have centrally-located outdoor planting facilities in the form of ten open top frames on the roof of the CHN building with a shelter for potting and storage space. Both the indoor planting facilities in Eschikon and the open top frames at CHN are equipped with automatic watering systems.
For experiments requiring more ‘natural’ environmental conditions, there is the possibility to use field sites at the ETH research stations in Eschikon, or in our network of experimental plots located along an altitudinal gradient from 600 to 1800 metres in the vicinity of Chur.
Computing
A high performance computer for GIS and other data intensive work is available within the group.