Department of Genetics
Introduction
"Genetics is not a neighbor chatting over the fence with some helpful hints ... In fact, it is central to any biological scientific disciplines," write Robert Plomin and his co-authors in the latest edition of the textbook Behavioral Genetics. Modern genetics has a quintessential role in integrating natural and social sciences and the new opportunities provided by the current methodology is a huge challenge.
Anyone with a serious interest to take this challenge, has the opportunity to get a formal education in genetics at the oldest Department of Genetics in Slovakia (founded in 1968). Lectures, seminars, practicals and an opportunity to perform hands-on experiments within the framework of diploma theses addressing various problems of contemporary genetics, prepare students for an exciting career in experimental and clinical genetics, not only at Slovak but also at the top foreign institutions. Our teachers, researchers and technical staff are confident that with the assistance of our talented students the Department of Genetics represents an attractive educational and research environment.
Department Profile
The research activities of the department have long focused on the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying DNA damage repair in several model eukaryotic organisms and their modulation during the cell cycle and by bioactive compounds. In addition, the genotoxic effects of low-temperature plasma on various model organisms are investigated. In collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry, the mechanisms of replication of linear DNA molecules in the nuclei and mitochondria of selected eukaryotic cells are studied, with a particular focus on the stabilization of their ends (telomeres) and their implications for cellular senescence and tumour transformation. The molecular mechanisms ensuring proper chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis are studied using the model yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In addition, the molecular principles underlying the coordination of organelle functions in eukaryotic cells are investigated. In collaboration with the Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, research into the genetic control of Drosophila melanogaster ontogenesis is being developed. More recently, research has expanded to include topics in systems and quantitative biology, with the aim of predicting emergent phenomena in gene expression in eukaryotic cells, as well as characterizing and modulating evolutionary mechanisms leading to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Another emerging research direction is the study of the role of long non-coding RNAs in organelle formation during the stress response of human cancer cells.
In teaching we have an ambition to lead students to understanding of the key principles of contemporary genetics, to grasping the major biological concepts, to gaining the ability to critically read the scientific literature, formulate hypotheses, plan their experimental testing and to being competent to interpret experimental data.