C-Fern Growth Pods are the easiest way to maintain cultures.

C-Fern antheridiogen, the pheromone which determines the sexual phenotype of gametophytes, can be easily harvested and used in experiments. Use old cultures of gametophytes, preferably those which are not contaminated, and carefully scrape the gametophytes from the surface. Next, freeze and then thaw the agar. The antheridiogen containing liquid will separate from the agar and […]

C-Fern spores can be evenly spread in Petri dishes by using nickel-chromium wire (ca 0.64 mm) in an inoculation loop holder. Nickel-chromium wires can be repeatedly flamed to achieve surface-sterilization. This thinner wire gives superior results compared to using thicker plastic or metal spreaders. However, if you take care, thicker spreaders will work – even […]

There are several options for preparing C-Fern medium, depending on timing, planning, and the equipment available. If an autoclave is not available, powdered Basic C-Fern Nutrient Medium can be easily prepared using a microwave.

No, sporophytes can be cultured in a C-Fern Growth Pod – well I suppose that is a teeny-tiny greenhouse! Use a 35 mm film canister (if they are still available), or equivalent. as a miniature pot or a small plastic water bottle. Once sporophytes outgrow these they can be transferred into and cultured in clear […]

You can find out more about using C-Fern in the classroom, for independent laboratory investigations to student-initiated and directed research and for all levels of other research by using this site. The following sections provide additional and more detailed information about using C-Fern for teaching or research Teaching with C-Fern – Additional material for exercises […]

You can use C-Fern to investigate a wide variety of biological principles, scientific methods and laboratory techniques! For grades 7 – 12 and college-level biology Simple and rapid set up by teacher or students Explore a broad spectrum of biological principles Introduces simple, failproof axenic culture techniques Highly Adaptable – from teacher demonstrations to student […]

Both C-Fern gametophytes and sporophytes are easy to culture in the classroom or in a research environment can be axenically cultured on simple inorganic media in Petri dishes. Because they are free-living and autotrophic, easy and foolproof culture techniques allow both gametophytes and sporophytes to be conveniently cultured and manipulated with minimal training and equipment. […]

Most activities use the wild type C-Fern (RNWT1) spores also known as the C-Fern Standard Genotype. Refer to Mutants and Strategies for Mutant Selection for the many other strains derived from the wild type useful for investigations in development, genetics, physiology, and ecology. Below is a listing of commercially available strains. Genotype Code Description wild […]