Institutes

Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics

Research scope of the Institute is basic and applied research in biological and agricultural sciences, focused on the study of molecular, physiological, biochemical and genetic processes occurring in animals and microorganisms. The main focus is on the cell biology of membranes and their role in the energy transformation, the role of membrane antigens in the immune and reproductive processes, the neurobiological and physiological control mechanisms of animal behavior, and the application of the knowledge of membrane processes in nanotechnology, biotechnology, agricultural and medical fields. The results of the research activities are published in major international journals with high impact factors and popularized through the periodical and non-periodical press and other media.
The Institute maintains active contacts with several leading foreign institutions (Belgium, Germany, Austria, Russia, Czech Republic, UK, Sweden, USA, Japan).
The Institute is involved in pre-graduate and graduate studies at four faculties of two major Slovak universities – Comenius University (Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics; Faculty of Natural Sciences; Pharmaceutical faculty) and Slovak Technical University (Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology). Research staff of IABG is involved in lecture courses, seminars and laboratory courses as well as in the research projects of undergraduate students. In cooperation with Comenius University and Slovak Technical University, the Institute is accredited as external teaching institution it two PhD study programs: Biochemistry and Animal Physiology.

http://ubgz.sav.sk/en/

 

Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics

Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics SAS focuses on the study of molecular principles forming the basis of physiological and pathological phenomena that control cardiac contraction, transmission of neuronal excitation, and the reaction of neoplastic cells to chemotherapy. Their common denominator are processes controlled by transport of ions and substances through cell membranes.
The aim of our research is to understand regulation of cellular transport systems at the level of molecules and in relation to cellular architecture and cellular energetics. We strive to elucidate their function in the healthy organism, as well as in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, cardiac diseases and in multidrug resistance of neoplastic cells.
The Institute is an accredited external educational organization for the doctoral degree of university education in three fields of science – 4.2.10-Animal Physiology, 4.1.22-Biochemistry and 4.1.12-Biophysics. The researchers of the Institute teach at several faculties of Comenius University and Slovak Technical University and they lead students preparing baccalaureate and master’s/engineering theses.
The researchers of the Institute develop wide collaborations with research institutions in Slovakia and abroad. They participate in national and international consortia within various grant schemes. Examples of previous such activities are the international projects EUGeneHeart, CONTICA and CavNET and participation in the Centre of Excellence Biomembranes of the program VVCE of the Slovak Research and Development Agency.

http://umfg.sav.sk/en/

 

Institute of Animal Physiology

The Institute was founded in 1964 as the Department of Animal Physiology of the Institute of Experimental Biology and it became an independent Institute in 1969. The Institute is dealing with the basic research of animal physiology as the only one in Slovakia.
Our main scientific aim is focused on the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract and on molecular diagnostics of the commensal microflora related to healthy food and health protection in animals and humans. The research oriented to the relationship nutrition – microorganism – digestion – host organism is based on a complex analytic approach, based on the animal experiments as well as on in vitro models (cell culture, parabiotic chamber, Rusitec system). The major focus is on host – microorganism interactions and the possibilities of manipulation of the physiology of digestion by probiotics, antimicrobial substances of plant origin, bacteriocines and polyunsaturated fatty acids with respect to enzyme activities in enterocytes, antioxidant enzymes and to the production of cytokines as well the role of microorganisms in enteritis. The possible replacement of antibiotics in the feed with respect to the dynamics of the development of antibiotic resistance in commensal microflora represent a major part of recent research activities.
Our research is focused also on the role of kidneys in ruminants and their renal functions (glomerular filtration, resorption in tubular and pelvical structures) are studied.
Original results are obtained in the framework of deep analysis of functional maturation of small intestine in rodents in relation with experimentally induced changes in early nutrition using quantitative histochemistry of mucosal enzymes.
In the area of the regulation of oocyte growth and preimplantation embryo development we are analyzing complex molecular interactions determining physiological processes during ontogenesis.
In January 2018 Institute became organisation unit of Centre of Biosciences SAS.
Present research program and fields of its possible application.
Possible applications of our results are in the veterinary diagnostics, rationalization of antibiotic therapy, optimizations of digestive physiology and food intake, in the reproductive biotechnology as well as in the environment protection.
Key words: digestive tract, microorganisms, antibiotic resistance, probiotics, antimicrobial plant compounds, bacteriocines, polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium, antioxidative enzymes, kidney physiology, food intake, metabolism, immunocytochemistry, preimplantation embryo, RT-PCR

http://ufhz.sav.sk/en/