Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
Members of the Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology are committed to generate highest quality scientific knowledge about biological processes with an emphasis on interactions between plants and harmful organisms. Our advantages lie in up-to-date equipment, an established quality control system and an international community that is highly educated and motivated. We are recognized for our applications in quantitative and qualitative molecular biology and development of tools for systems biology, including bioinformatics and statistics.
Our successful combination of knowledge and application is the result of good organization and flexibility of work. We transmit newly created knowledge about the biology of pathogenic and genetically modified organisms together with new methods for their determination to the fields of agriculture, ecology, pharmacy and medicine.
Our partners are governmental and European organizations, academic institutions and industry. We work together in solving practical problems related to their research work, and thus, we are an indispensable contributor to the socio-economic sphere of Slovenia.
Head: Prof. Kristina Gruden, PhD
Research
Genetically Modified Organisms
In tight collaboration with systems biology recent research work has been directed to functional genomics of plants resistant to different biotic stress using transient and stable transformation of plants. We are developing new methodologies and approaches for detection of genetically modified organisms.
Microbiology
At microbiology section of our department we do research spanning from biology, biodiversity and epidemiology of microbes to development and validation of new laboratory tools for detection of bacteria, phytoplasmas and viruses. Innovative novel approaches are used in optimizing sample preparation of plant, water and other environmental samples. Biological control agents are studied as potential approaches for managing plant diseases. The research is focused on plant pathogens and other organisms pathogenic to human and animals.
Systems Biology
Within the biochemical and cytological research, we study the involvement of plant growth regulators (cytokinins, jasmonic and salicylic acid), oxygen radicals, photosynthetic pigments and some proteins in the defence response of plants.
Research equipment
In addition to research and education, the Institute also performs services for the market for various contracting entities. In accordance with the applicable tariffs, you can order certain tests and research or use our equipment in performing of your own research.
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