Undergraduate-appropriate, defendable, and publication-ready thesis proposal ideas, grouped by theme. Very doable with standard lab facilities (tissue culture lab + basic molecular lab like PCR/gel electrophoresis).
A. Cell & Tissue Culture (Plant Biotechnology)
1. Optimization of In Vitro Callus Induction in Aquilaria malaccensis Using Different Plant Growth Regulator Combinations
Focus: Tissue culture
Methods:
- Explant: leaf / nodal segment
- PGRs: 2,4-D, NAA, BAP, kinetin
- Measure callus induction rate, texture, color
Very undergrad-friendly
Strong relevance to conservation & agarwood industry
2. Comparative Shoot Regeneration Efficiency of Nodal vs Leaf Explants in a Woody Tree Species
Focus: Micropropagation
Methods:
- MS medium variations
- Shoot length, number of shoots, rooting success
Simple design, clear statistics
High applicability for mass propagation
3. Effect of Activated Charcoal on In Vitro Growth and Browning Reduction in Woody Plant Cultures
Focus: Tissue culture problem-solving
Methods:
- With/without activated charcoal
- Growth rate, browning index
Common issue in woody plants
Elegant, practical thesis
B. Molecular Markers (DNA-Based Studies)
4. Genetic Diversity Analysis of Aquilaria Populations Using RAPD or ISSR Markers
Focus: Molecular markers
Methods:
- DNA extraction
- RAPD / ISSR PCR
- Gel electrophoresis & cluster analysis Perfect for undergrad
- Strong data visualization
- Conservation genetics angle
5. Molecular Identification of Closely Related Tree Species Using DNA Barcoding (rbcL / matK / ITS)
Focus: Species authentication
Methods:
- PCR amplification
- Sequencing or reference matching
- Phylogenetic tree
- Highly publishable
- Addresses misidentification issues in trade
6. Assessment of Genetic Stability of In Vitro-Propagated Plantlets Using ISSR Markers
Focus: Somaclonal variation
Methods:
- Compare mother plant vs tissue-cultured plants
- Banding pattern analysis
Excellent combo of tissue culture + molecular
Strong defense topic
C. Introductory Genomics / Gene-Focused Studies
(No whole-genome sequencing needed)
7. In Silico Characterization of Stress-Related Genes in a Selected Plant Species
Focus: Bioinformatics / genomics
Methods:
- NCBI database mining
- BLAST, gene annotation
- Domain prediction
Lab-light, computation-
8. Expression Analysis of Defense-Related Genes in Plants Under Wounding Stress (RT-PCR or qPCR-based)
Focus: Functional genomics (light)
Methods:
- RNA extraction
- cDNA synthesis
- RT-PCR
Slightly advanced but Connects genes to real physiology
9. Comparative Codon Usage and GC Content Analysis of Chloroplast Genes Across Related Species
Focus: Comparative genomics
Methods:
- Download sequences
- Bioinformatics analysis
No wet lab Clean, defensible thesis
D. Integrated (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR YOU)
10. Development of a Micropropagation Protocol and Molecular Verification of Genetic Fidelity Using ISSR Markers
Why this is GOLD:
- Combines tissue culture + molecular markers
- Looks like a master’s-level thesis but doable as undergrad
- Industry-ready
11. Callus Induction Followed by Molecular Detection of Stress-Responsive Gene Markers
Angle: Early step toward secondary metaboliteBridges biotech + genomics