REVIEW PAPER
Professor E. Pojnar’s pioneer studies on isolated protoplasts, their continuation and development. In memory of Professor Edward Pojnar (1919-2011)

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Edward Pojnar (1919-2011), Head of the Department of

Botany (1974-1990) at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, who initiated research on isolated plant protoplasts

in Poland. Studying in Professor E.C. Cocking’s Plant Physiology Laboratory at the University of Nottingham,

Professor Pojnar became acquainted with the enzymatic method procedure for protoplast isolation.

His postdoctoral thesis was published in 1969 as the first paper on protoplast isolation and culture procedures

in Poland. The present paper is a survey of Professor Pojnar’s research, as well as further studies inspired by his

pioneering achievements. Recent research into protoplast technology, focused on the structural changes involved

in protoplast regeneration, is also discussed.