Plant physiology and molecular biology

The research is focused on analyzing the impact of selected environmental stress factors on plant resistance mechanisms, as well as on the study of physiological, anatomical, morphological and molecular abnormalities of plants, affected by abiotic stress factors (PR proteins). Research on inter-specific hybrids of firs and pines in Slovakia is oriented to the monitoring of enzymatic variability of antioxidant enzymes and biologically active substances in various types of hybrid species with the intention of the species identification in our growing firs and pines. Research is also connected with the chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA analysis, which is applied to find developmental and phylogenetic relationships between monitored plants. Within the research analytical methods are optimized and applied to test the quality of the environment.

Genetics and morphology of animals and humans

The research is oriented to analyze the effects of genetic variability and environmental risk factors on important traits of humans, animals and model organisms at the molecular, cellular and tissue level. Main fields of genetic variability research include human diseases affecting bone metabolism (osteoporosis) and genetic markers for important traits (reproduction, meat quality) in livestock. Within monitoring of environmental risk factors we analyze changes in bone on structural and molecular level due to exposure to environmental risk factors (heavy metals, toxins). The research in this area is the use of modern methods of molecular biology, genetics, cell biology and histology to detect genes and environmental risk factors that lead to pathology and have significant impact on human and animal traits. Genetic research is also done at the historic DNA (ancient DNA, aDNA), derived from archaeological bone material in order to obtain new information on the origin, geographical distribution and relations between individuals and populations in the past.

Botany and plant population biology

The research is focused on population biology and floristics of alpine species of our flora, with a focus on loaded and human-influenced biotopes (ski resorts, etc..) as well. The special field of study include evaluation of the reproductive process of endangered species. In terms of popularization of science, a grant-supported application of practical botany is is carried out to teachers and students in primary and secondary schools.