DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY AND GENETICS
2014
1.-22. 4. 2014 The
Easter willow 2014
We established a new tradition in the Department - a
decoration of an 'Easter Tree' Salix
matsudana with Easter eggs. You can see the
results of our students and employee activities in the
gallery.
Photogallery
13.-17. 5. 2013
Botanical excursions within the "Fascination of Plants
Day 2013"
The second international "Fascination of Plants
Day" was launched under the umbrella of the European
Plant Science Organisation (EPSO). The goal of this
activity was to get as many people as possible around
the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the
importance of plant science for agriculture, in
sustainably producing food, as well as for horticulture,
forestry, and all of the non-food products such as
paper, timber, chemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals.
The Department of Botany and Genetics organized two
events for this day: botanical excursion "Spring Flowers
of Zobor Hills" (13. 5. 2013) and botanical excursion
"Plants around us" (17.
5. 2013). The excursions were attended by students and
teachers from primary schools from Trávnica and
Golianovo.
Photogallery
of the botanical excursion "Plants around us"
27. 9. 2012 Excursion
in a seminar "Genetically modified plants tested in
field tests in 2012"
Our students took a part at the seminar which was
conducted on experimental field CVRV Borovce in
Piešťany. Participants listened to interesting lectures
on the development and cultivation of genetically
modified plants and they had a possibility to take the
organized tour to view field trials with the
experimental genetically modified plants fields.
Photogallery
11. 5. 2012 Doctor Honoris Causa for prof. Ing. Štefan Hraška, DrSc.
Our colleague prof. Ing. Štefan Hraška, DrSc. was awarded by a honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa. The ceremony was held at the Pedagogical University of Cracow (Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny im. Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie).
16. 2. 2012 Open day
The Department of Botany and Genetics hosted visitors
and students of secondary schools during the university
open day. The visitors get information about study
programmes and research activities and they could take
the department guide tour with some stops in department
laboratories, lecture halls and a greenhouse. Some labs
offered carrying out some easy experiments for visitors.
New technologies, implemented in labs, were also
presented.
4. 10. 2011 Excursion
to the Agricultural Research Institute of the
Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Martonvásár
The excursion was attended by our biology students. They
become familiar with the organization and history of the
institute and research projects it deals with.
Subsequently they had a possibility to take a tour of
laboratories and clima-boxes with expert commentary.
Beyond these "obligations" we had a time to visit the
Beethoven museum and very nice park.
5. 5. 2011 Excursion
in a seminar "Genetically modified plants tested in
field tests in 2011"
Our students took a part at the seminar which was
conducted on experimental field CVRV Borovce in
Piešťany. Participants listened to interesting lectures
on the development and cultivation of genetically
modified plants and they had a possibility to take the
organized tour to view field trials with the
experimental genetically modified plants fields.
Photogallery
17. 2. 2011 Open day
Also this year Constantine the Philosopher University,
Department of Botany and Genetics hosted visitors and
students of secondary schools during the open day. The
visitors could take the department guide tour with some
stops in department laboratories, lecture halls and a
greenhouse. They also could try to carry out some easy
experiments (e.g. microscopy of microorganisms, DNA
visualization) and get information about study
programmes and research activities.
18. 2. 2010 Open day
Also in 2010 the Department of Botany and Genetics
hosted visitors and students of secondary schools during
the open day. The visitors could take the department
guide tour with some stops in department laboratories,
lecture halls and a greenhouse. They also could try to
carry out some easy experiments (e.g. microscopy of
microorganisms, DNA electrophoresis) and get information
about study programmes and research activities.
8. - 9. 10. 2009
International Scientific Conference "5th Biological
days"
The conference was held under the
auspices of prof. RNDr. Ľubomír Zelenický, CSc., the
Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the
Philosopher University in Nitra. The sessions included
presentations in plant biology, animal and human
biology, as well as biology education. Invited Plenary
lectures were presented by prof. RNDr. Karol
Mičieta, CSc., RNDr. Jana Korduláková, PhD., doc. Ing.
Peter Chrenek, DrSc. and prof. Ing. Ladislav Hetényi,
PhD. This year the conference was held first
time in the campus of Biological Centre of Faculty of
Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher
University in Nitra. More than 60 participants
from three countries took part at the conference.
Photogallery
12. 2. 2009 Open day
Similarly to previous years also in 2009 the Department
of Botany and Genetics hosted visitors and students of
secondary schools during open day. The visitors could
take the department guide tour with some stops in
department laboratories, lecture halls and a greenhouse.
They also could try to carry out some easy experiments
and get information about study programmes and research
activities.
28. 11. 2008 Workshop
"Dangerous organisms"
Workshop was held in the Biological Centre CPU,
within the ESF project www.prirodovedec.sk. It was
focused on a presentation of a publication Dangerous
organisms (in Slovak), as well as other educational
publications. Altogether 52 participants from basic and
secondary schools took part at the workshop. The
workshop consists of lectures which were presented by
RNDr. Peter Boleček, PhD., doc. RNDr. Roman Kuna, PhD.,
Ing. Anna Gogoláková, PhD., PaedDr. Janka Schlarmannová,
PhD., doc. RNDr. Monika Martiniaková, PhD., RNDr.
Alexandra Bezáková. Doc. RNDr. Radoslav Omelka, PhD. was
a chairman of the workshop.
14. 2. 2008 Open day
The open day was again focused on a popularization of
biology study programs at the University. The Department
of Botany and Genetics prepared an interesting program:
the visitors could take the department guide tour with
some stops in Laboratory of molecular biology,
Laboratory of microbiology, Laboratory of plant
physiology, Greenhouse, and Analytical laboratory of
plant biology. The visitors also could try to carry out
some easy experiments.
7.-8. 3. 2007 Course:
Multimedial presentations in biology
The course was focused on making MS Power-Point
presentations with biological theme. The participants
got up some skills with computer service, basic
equipment and operating system, software (MS Office),
internet, e-mail. They also made a digital photography
with camera and CCD (microscope) camera with following
image and photography processing. The course was
assigned to basic and secondary school teachers from
Nitra region.
15. 2. 2007 Open day
Similarly to previous Open days, the Department of
Botany and Genetics prepared an interesting program: the
visitors could take the department guide tour with some
stops in Laboratory of molecular biology, Laboratory of
microbiology, Laboratory of plant physiology,
Greenhouse, and, firstly, new Analytical laboratory of
plant biology.
6. 7. 2006 Course:
Genetically modified organisms
The course was focused on special lectures and
practices in making, utilization and problems of
genetically-modified organisms (GMO) - microorganisms,
plants and animals. The lectures were given by invited
specialist. The participants could try some molecular
techniques, e.g. DNA isolation, PCR and electrophoresis.
Photogallery
26. 6. 2006 Doc. Ing. Miroslav Zima, CSc., the head
of the Department of Botany and Genetics, died
He touched our lives and will be missed...
Doc. RNDr. Roman Kuna, PhD. was charged to run the
department.
16. 2. 2006 Open day
Similarly to previous Open days, the Department of
Botany and Genetics prepared an interesting program: the
visitors could take the department guide tour with some
stops in Laboratory of molecular biology, Laboratory of
microbiology, Laboratory of plant physiology and in the
Greenhouse.
8. - 9. 9. 2005
International Scientific Conference " 4th Biological
days"
The aim of the conference was to present results of
biological research and to point out the possibilities
of new knowledge transfer into biology education. The
participants could introduce their research
possibilities in European research framework. The
conference offered a good opportunity for future
contacts and cooperation. More than 300 participants
from 8 countries took part at the conference.
Photogallery
13. - 14. 6. 2005 Course: New trends in molecular
biology and genetics
The course was focused on special lectures and
practices in different topics of genetics and molecular
biology. The lectures included Human genome mapping
(HUGO project), genetically-modified organisms (GMO),
animal cloning and new methods in molecular biology
(gene knock-out, DNA chips). The participants could try
some molecular techniques, e.g. DNA isolation, PCR and
electrophoresis.
Photogallery
17.-18. a 24.-25. 2. 2005 Course: Information and
communication technologies and their application in
biology education
The course was focused on working with computer,
basic equipment and operating system, software (MS
Office), internet, e-mail, image and photography
processing and storage of information on CD. Thirteen
basic and secondary school teachers took part in the
course.
Lecturers: Mgr. Tomáš Janeček, RNDr. Roman Kuna, PhD.,
RNDr. Monika Martiniaková, PhD., RNDr. Radoslav Omelka,
PhD.
Photogallery
17. 2. 2005 Open day
The open day was focused on a presentation of the
department and the University. Students of secondary and
high schools could visit some lecture halls and
laboratories of the department. The members of the
department informed the students about facilities for
study and prepared some easy experiments from
Microbiology, Botany, Plant physiology and Molecular
biology for visitors.
11. 11. 2004 Open day
Once more in 2004 the department organized open day
aimed to interest students of secondary and high schools
in study of biology at the University. The members of
the Department informed the students about facilities
for study. The visitors also could try to carry out some
easy experiments from Microbiology, Botany, Plant
physiology and Molecular biology.
Photogallery
21.-22. 9. 2004 International scientific symposium
"Culture - an area for interdisciplinary ideas"
The Symposium was dedicated to the 45th anniversary
of Constantine the Philosopher University establishment.
Members of the department staff presented their
contributions in subsection Biology.
Photogallery of subsection Biology with Slovak
commentary
7. 7. 2004 Discussion afternoon dedicated to modern
trends in biological research
We could listen very interested lectures:
Ing. Ivan Šimko, PhD. (USDA – ARS Beltsville, USA;
previously Boyce Thompson Institute Cornell University):
„Molecular and Functional Genomics of Solanum“
Ing. Katarína Hrubíková, PhD. (Scottish Crop Research
Institute, Dundee, UK): „Development of VIGS vectors
(Viral Induced Gene Silencing) for Functional Analysis
in Crops“
Photogallery with Slovak commentary
26. 3. 2004 5th conference of PhD students and young
scientists
Our PhD students and members of the department staff
took part at the conference.
Photogallery
of section "Biology" with Slovak commentary
11. 2. 2004 Open day
The aim of the open day was to interest students of
secondary and high schools in study of biology at the
University. The members of the Department informed the
students about facilities for study. The visitors also
could try to carry out some easy experiments from
Microbiology, Botany, Plant physiology and Molecular
biology.
15. 12. 2003 The 70-th
birthday of prof. Ing. Štefan Hraška, DrSc.
The Rector of Constantine the Philosopher University
prof. Daniel Kluvanec awarded prof. Hraška Gold medal
for his 70-th birthday (21. 12.). On the occasion of the
celebration the Department of Botany and Genetics
organized the conference „Current trends in research and
education of biological disciplines“. Some famous Slovak
biologists and geneticists took part at the conference.
Photogallery
14. 10. 2003 Opening of the Laboratory of Molecular
biology
The laboratory was opened by the Rector of the
University prof. Kluvanec. The Head of the Department of
Botany and Genetics assoc. prof. Zima welcomed some
guests from the University including the Dean of Faculty
of Natural Sciences prof. Vozár. Assoc. prof. Bauerová,
the guarantee of the Laboratory, informed about
possibilities of research and education in the
Laboratory. RNDr. Omelka brought the information about
technical equipment of the Laboratory. The Laboratory
now represents a special workplace for research of
biological processes on DNA (protein) level.
Photogallery
1. 4. 2003 A new Head of the Department of Botany and
Genetics
Assoc. prof. Ing. Miroslav Zima, CSc. is a new Head of the Department of Botany and Genetics.
doc. Ing. Miroslav Zima, CSc.
In 1996 the Department obtained the accreditation for all University activities: Bc, M.Sc, Ph.D study, Assoc. prof. and Prof. qualifications. The University opened new study programs including different biological disciplines which positive affects a development of the department. Students could attend lectures of new biological disciplines: cell biology, bioenergetics, microbial, plant and animal biotechnologies. The department started a cooperation with research institutes (Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Research Institute for Plant Production in Piešťany) and institutes of Slovak Academy of Sciences. New members of the staff brought possibilities to cooperate with foreign institutes (Austria, Holland, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Greece) and also to build new laboratories for biological research and education.
In 1993 the Department of Biology and Chemistry of the Pedagogical University (previous name of Constantine the Philosopher University; 1992-1993) was evaluated and got a permission to realize state exams. The Head of the Department was doc. Ing. Alojz Marenčík, CSc. The Department was later divided into Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry. New members of the staff (prof. Š. Hraška, DrSc., prof. V. Uhrín, DrSc., RNDr. M. Bauerová, PhD.) brought new ideas to biology education and research. As a consequence of their work different perspective disciplines was developed, e.g. molecular biology, genetic disciplines, plant and animal physiology. Also "old" subjects (botany, zoology, microbiology) were affected by new approaches which came together with young members of the staff (RNDr. R. Kuna, RNDr. A. Jančová, RNDr. J. Schlarmannová, RNDr. B. Matejovičová). In September 1995 the department was divided into the Department of Botany and Genetics (the head of the department was doc. Ing. A. Marenčík, CSc.) and the Department of Zoology and Anthropology (the head of the department was doc. RNDr. Štefan Stollár, CSc.). The staff of the Department of Botany and Genetics included one professor (prof. Ing. Mikuláš Pačuta, CSc.), three associate professors (Assoc. prof. Ing. Alojz Marenčík, CSc., Assoc. prof. Ing. Katarína Podoláková, CSc., Assoc. prof. Ing. Viera Stollárová, CSc.), two assistant professors (Ing. Fabián Kecskeméti, CSc. a RNDr. Roman Kuna), secretary (M. Duroňová) and technical assistants (A. Páleniková, E. Sádovská, D. Mika, J. Michalička).
doc. Ing. Alojz Marenčík, CSc.
Education of Biology at the
Department of Natural Sciences started in February 1961.
In addition to Biology the department provided also
education of Geology, Chemistry and Agrology. The staff
of the department was represented especially by new
lecturers who had come from the Faculty of Natural
Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava. Students
could attend lectures of different biological
disciplines, e.g. Botany (lecturers: J. Horváthová, D.
Marcinková, Ing. Hudoba, CSc.), Zoology (Š. Stollár, S.
Ligač), Anthropology (A. Graus), Geology (J. Gazda) and
Biology education (Š. Kukan). Lectures of Chemistry held
L. Sojka, J. Malý and J. Salfalvi. Ing. J. Konôpka, Ing.
A. Marenčík, Ing. V. Stollárová and Ing. J. Šiška held
Practices of Agrology. During 1961-1976 the department
was divided into the Department of Agrology, the
Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biology
and Geology.
After political events in 1968 the number of students
decreased and the Department of Biology and Geology had
to join with the Department of Agrology. In 1973 a new
member of the staff, doc. Ing. M. Pačuta, CSc., became
the head of the department. Together wit him a
geneticist doc. Ing. J. Staško, CSc. came to the
department and as the first lecturer in department
history he started to educate Genetics as a standard
subject. In 1978 the Department of Biology and Chemistry
was created and the changes, as well as the changes in
an education system in Slovakia (new two-subject study
programs for future basic and secondary school teachers)
supported a development of biological disciplines. Most
of the staff started their external PhD study at
different universities in Prague and Bratislava.
Politically active year 1989 brought other changes at
the department. The head of the department was replaced
by Ing. J. Vídenský, CSc. and later by prof. Ing. J.
Staško, Dr.Sc.