TEHNAT project aims to experiment with the application of modern biotechnologies of in vitro culture and conservation and molecular analysis techniques - PCR, SSR, ISSR, for the conservation of endemic and/or endangered taxa of Caryophyllaceae in Romania. By conserving these taxa, it will contribute to the development and consolidation of the Natura 2000 network currently existing in Romania.

The taxa approached from the family Caryophyllaceae are: Lychnis nivalis Kit., Moehringia jankae Griseb. ex Janka, Silene dinarica Spreng. These taxa have been selected according to the list "Romania - globally, European and nationally threatened taxa (Criterion A)" (Sârbu et al., 2007) due to their importance in the definition of certain Natura 2000 sites. Up to now, the lack of complete ecological and biocenetic information on these taxa has not allowed to take adequate measures for their conservation.

In order to assess the conservation status of these taxa, the relevant populations and the negative impact factors (anthropogenic, biotic and abiotic) acting on them in situ will be assessed. In order to develop an appropriate conservation programme, molecular analysis techniques will be adapted and/or optimised to investigate the genetic polymorphism of the populations of the studied taxa. At present, specialists in flora, fauna and habitats in Romania have requested the development of the Natura 2000 network, taking into account some existing deficiencies. Therefore, following the in situ assessments, a series of measures will be proposed to the custodians/administrators of the respective areas and to other organisations - which have competences in the field, according to the legislation in force - which will aim at strengthening the Natura 2000 network by improving the existing management plans, extending the already existing protected areas, by proposing the delimitation of new Natura 2000 sites and strictly protected areas within the existing ones.

In parallel, ex situ conservation will be achieved through the adaptation/optimisation of in vitro culture biotechnology for these taxa. The in vitro cultures will aim to create and maintain the collection through medium and long-term conservation. The genetic stability of the conserved plant material will be studied by molecular techniques, and only plant material that has not undergone genetic modification by conservation procedures will be acclimatised and supplied to organisms qualified for repopulation in areas with declining populations. The in vitro propagated material will also be used to maintain these taxa in botanical gardens in Romania, reducing the collection pressure in situ and will be valorised by the project's partner enterprise.

This project is intended to be a partnership between various types of public research organisations and an enterprise within the meaning of the state aid legislation in force, which has as its object of activity research and development in natural sciences, as well as with the bodies involved in the protection and management of protected areas in Romania.

Final products that will result from the project will be: techniques (PCR, SSR, ISSR) and biotechnologies (in vitro culture) adapted and/or optimised for endemic/perilic taxa, ex situ collections of the studied taxa, 2 sets of 3 digital chorological maps of the studied populations and their conservation status. The participating enterprise will be able to valorise the plant material obtained by in vitro culture biotechnology and will provide consultancy in this field.