Challenging the molecular borders:

Using biotechnology, the scientists of CIP have been carrying out such diverse activities as evaluating biodiversity, isolating and identifying specific genes associated with the characteristics of every species, and the reproduction and renewal of plants held in vitro in genebanks. For example, taking a small sample of tissue, it is possible to grow a miniplant in a nutrient solution. Genetic maps of several species have also been prepared, which include some wild species, the primitive cultivated species of the Andes and the modern improved potatoes. CIP is also mapping the sweetpotato, a difficult task due to the genetic complexity of this crop and the lack of genetic information about it.