Education as Infrastructure: Mapping Plant Tissue Culture Training in European Universities

Plant tissue culture (PTC) is central to modern plant sciences and plant biotechnology, underpinning key global priorities, including climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, food security, and biodiversity conservation. The transition toward a European bio-based economy has increased the demand for professionals with specialized training in PTC and its biotechnological applications. However, to date, no comprehensive overview exists of how PTC is integrated into university curricula across Europe. This chapter presents the first systematic mapping of PTC-related teaching at bachelor’s and master’s levels across 40 COST member countries, drawing on expert contributions and extensive desk-based research. The analysis assessed the number of relevant courses, their curricular format (standalone courses versus integrated modules), academic level, and the extent of practical training components. Regional differences in educational scale, specialization, and the intensity of practical training were quantified using the education capacity index (ECI). These findings were compared with the distribution of commercial PTC companies across Europe, revealing that educational and industrial capacities often overlap. This dual analysis demonstrates that countries have both educational and industrial capacities. This dual analysis demonstrates that countries with stronger training systems tend also to have more developed active in vitro biotechnology sectors. Overall, the chapter highlights the need for coordinated strategies that better align education, research, and innovation to ensure the development of Europe’s next generation of skilled professionals in plant tissue culture and biotechnology.