Housed by the Sub-Department of Biocenology and Ecological Genetics – a part of the BSU Biology and Chemistry Department – the laboratory has been functioning since 2008.
Prime objectives of the Laboratory
- Fundamental and applied scientific researches in the area of population genetics, ecological safety, genetic safety,
- Evaluation of the impact of substances and materials on bio-objects’ genetic apparatus,
- Carrying out molecular genetic testing of livestock animals.
Main activities of the Laboratory deal with
- Research and developing of methods and techniques to assess ecological and genetic conditions of natural populations of animals and plants that live in landscapes with different degrees of human-induced impact; studying bio-objects’ genetic apparatus condition to evaluate genotoxic properties of the environment, conducting fundamental and applied scientific researches in the area of population genetics, genotoxicology, and implementation of research findings.
- Molecular genetic testing of livestock animals, including, but not limited to: developing bio-tech test systems (DNA-diagnosticums) and introducing them to agricultural industry for the following purposes: a) to revitalize livestock against viral diseases, b) to improve the quality of production, c)to define the livestock origin and to create a genetic identity document.
- Conducting research to identify genetically modified organisms (GMO).
- Studying genotoxic properties of substances and materials (including nano-materials, medication drugs, bio-additives, etc.) and their impact to genetic apparatus of laboratory test animals; conducting pre-clinical testing of the samples under research.
The Laboratory is equipped with a range of facilities for next-generation sequencing, real-time PCR, devices for polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of proteins, up-to-date microscopes and other state-of-art instruments and equipment. All the laboratory equipment is rated to meet world-wide and national standards.