Spring in the Lab: Where Nature Sparks Innovation
What does spring look like in a plant biotech lab?
Join our biotechnologist Laura this spring as she walks you through the journey of creating plant cultures in the lab.
Spring also marks a new beginning for us at Alternative Plants. As nature awakens and everything starts to bloom, we begin a new research season – identifying plant species with the potential to become the basis for sustainable, scientifically grounded innovations in cosmetics.
🌿 Why do we search for new species?
In spring, we head out into nature to collect valuable plant samples during their early growth stage – a time when plants are at their most suitable for initiating cell cultures.
We’re interested not only in well-known, traditionally used species, but also in those whose composition and effects are not yet fully studied. Often, these are the ones with the greatest potential to yield new, effective, and sustainable ingredients.
This is one of the most beautiful parts of our work – the moment when science meets nature. Walks through forests, bogs or meadows become carefully planned expeditions, where we collect samples from species we’ve previously selected based on their unique properties, aiming to develop sustainable, scientifically supported ingredients for future cosmetic products.
The unique properties we seek in plants are often related to their ability to grow and survive in certain environmental conditions. This adaptability is provided by secondary metabolites found in plants – special chemical compounds that help them protect themselves against microorganisms, withstand frost, drought and ultraviolet radiation. Many of these compounds also have protective and regenerative effects on the human body, including the skin.
🧪 How does a plant become a cell culture?
Turning a plant into a cell culture involves several carefully designed steps in the lab. The process begins with a small fragment – a leaf, stem, or root section – from which we extract plant cells and cultivate them in a sterile environment on solid medium optimized for that species. At this stage, we determine the best conditions to isolate and multiply plant stem cells with high biological potential. These form what are known as calluses – unstructured, undifferentiated clusters of cells that serve as the foundation for further cultivation.
We don’t grow entire plants – only their cells, which can synthesize valuable compounds without soil, sunlight, or seasons. This is a thoughtful and environmentally friendly approach, enabling the production of active compounds without depleting wild plant populations and with a significantly lower ecological footprint than traditional cultivation.
The calluses are then transferred to a liquid medium, forming suspensions, which are scaled up in bioreactors under controlled and repeatable conditions. The resulting biomass is clean, standardized, and consistently high in quality.
It is gratifying to see how a viable culture can grow from a tiny fragment – it is always a victory for our team as well.
Plant cell culture technology opens the door to valuable resources that are otherwise difficult—or even impossible—to access. In some cases, our work involves rare or endangered medicinal plant species that possess exceptional biological properties. By using advanced cell culture techniques, we can cultivate cells from just a tiny fragment of the plant, without causing harm to wild populations. This approach not only supports the conservation of these species but also enables us to explore their potential for various applications. All such work is carried out in coordination with the relevant authorities and under the necessary official permits.
💡 What do we do with it?
Once a stable and successful cell culture has been established, we continue our work in the lab – analyzing its properties and potential. We begin by studying its chemical composition to identify which bioactive compounds the cells are producing. Then we test its potential effects on the skin.
Our goal is to find extracts with properties that genuinely benefit skin condition and comfort – helping to create effective and well-considered skincare solutions. For example, JuniCell – an extract from juniper stem cells – strengthens the skin barrier, protects against UV damage, and promotes collagen synthesis. Meanwhile, DragonCell, derived from northern dragonhead, soothes inflammation and redness, leaving the skin even and calm.
🌍 Nature-Inspired Innovation
Our work in spring is just the beginning – but it is precisely during this season that ideas emerge which later evolve into stable products and ingredients used by cosmetic manufacturers worldwide. Our mission is to develop skincare that is effective, sustainable, and grounded in science.
“I believe that sustainable innovation starts right here – with respect for where we come from.” – Laura Bunka, Biotechnologist at Alternative Plants. With a background in biology and biomedical research, I’m passionate about turning nature’s hidden resilience into effective and sustainable skincare ingredients.
👉 Want to learn more about our active ingredients? Discover them here: https://alternativeplants.eu/products