Centre of Excellence for White-Green Biotechnology
A centre of excellence that brings together science, education and practice in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Goals and Mission
This unique research center, Centre of Excellence for White-Green Biotechnology was established as a joint workplace of the Institute of Chemistry of SAS (ICH SAS) and SUA at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences.
The center was built within the framework of the projects OP Research and Development ITMS 26220120054 (project period 2010 – 2013) and ITMS 26210120029 (project period 2012 – 2013). Research activities carried out in this center are focused on the areas of white (industrial) and green (agricultural) biotechnology.
The following laboratories are created within the CEWGB:
- Laboratory of Genetics,
- Biotechnology Laboratory,
- Laboratory of Biomass Processing and
- Analytical Laboratory,
which are equipped with excellent instrumentation, creating convenient conditions for improving the quality of research work, cooperation of the scientific institution and university as for research collaboration with social and economic sections.
The creation of research areas for students and teachers improved the conditions of education at SUA in Nitra. The Center of Excellence coordinates its infrastructure and scientific and research activities with the AgroBioTech Research Center.
Infrastructure
Laboratory of Genetics:
Biorad QX200 system
ZeptoReader microplate reader for fluorescence and luminescence spectroscopy
Imaging System ChemiDoc MP
Laboratory of Biomass Processing:
Biomass Homogenizer French Pressure Cell FPG 12800
Lyophilizer Martin Christ -Alpha -2-4LSC
Biotechnology laboratory:
Robotic Device for Colony Screening QPExpression
Sartorius-Stedim bioreactors (microfermenters, 10L and 30L)
Analytical laboratory:
LTQ Orbitrap Velos with uHPLC Accela 1250 with PDA detector
ICP OES – Thermo ICAP 7600 Dual
nanoHPLC TS Dionex UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano and Proteineer fcII
MALDI-TOFTOF Bruker UltrafleXtreme Tandem Laser Ionization Mass Spectrometer
GC-MSMS ThermoScioentific TraceGC Ultra TSQ Quantum XLS with TriPlus robotic autosampler
LC Ion chromatograph TS Dionex ICS5000 with electrochemical detector
Analytical LC Dionex Ultimate 3000
Trace GC Ultra with FID detector
In addition to the above devices, the CEGWB laboratories are equipped with DNA / RNA and protein gel electrophoresis equipment, western blot, preparative 2D protein electrophoresis, ultrasonic homogenizer, benchtop centrifuges, high-speed centrifuge, laboratory autoclaves (25L and 80L), analytical balances, pH meters, ultra-pure water apparatus, CO2 incubator, rotary evaporator, laminar boxes, gas generator, dryers, etc.
Scientific Research Activities
Scientific research activities are divided into three pillars:
1. Applied synthetic biology and enzyme development
2. Carbohydrates and their analysis
3. Plant research
which include:
- Biocatalysis systems,
- Structure, properties and biotechnological potential of new plant-degrading microbial enzymes,
- Microbial enzymes for plant hemicelluloses usage,
- Parallel analysis of prostate cancer biomarkers,
- Electrochemical lectin and glycan biochips integrated with nanostructures,
- Transglycosylases of plant and fungal cell walls,
- Research on molecular factors of bee colony defense against some microbial pathogens,
- Study of regulation of radical and cellular signaling during hypertension and influence of novel therapies on this signaling,
- Detection of genetic variability of cereals by molecular markers,
- Plant mucilage, structure and bioactivity,
- Bioactive polysaccharides from unused plants and plant waste,
- Elimination of celiac active peptides by fermentation technologies,
- Analysis of ions and biologically active substances in raw materials and food.
Solved Projects
- APVV-0602-12: Structure, properties and biotechnological potential of novel microbial enzymes degrading plant biomass
Coordinator: Vladimír Puchart - VEGA 2/0037/14: Microbial enzymes for plant hemicelluloses usage
Coordinator: Vladimír Puchart - FP7-612587: PlantDNAtolerance – Plant adaptation to heavy metal and radioactive pollution
Coordinator: Martin Hajduch - VEGA 2/0020/12: Transglycosylases of plant and fungal cell walls
Coordinator: Eva Stratilová - VEGA 2/0178/12: Investigation of molecular factors of the defense of honey bee colonies against some microbial pathogens
Coordinator: Jaroslav Klaudiny - VEGA 2/0136/13: New Technology for the Synthesis of Sialic Acid Derivatives and α-Gal Epitope Applicable in the Development of Vaccines, Antibiotics, and Humanized Plastics
Coordinator: Jozef Nahálka - VEGA No. 1/0513/2013 : Detection of genetic variability of cereals by molecular markers
Coordinator: Zdenka Gálová - VEGA 2/0085/13: Bioactive polysaccharides from non-utilized plants and plant wastes: structural and functional diversity
Coordinator: Zdenka Hromádková - VEGA 2/0066/2013: Utilization of modern biotechnologies in the amaranth breeding program
Coordinator: Andrea Hricová - KEGA 024SPU-4/2013: Fermentation technology – creation of new subject and textbook for Food technology, Winemaking and Biotechnology study programmes
Coordinator: Dana Urminská - VEGA 1/0139/17: Unconventional and minor crops useful for the preparation of novel foods designed for particular nutritional purposes.
Coordinator: Alena Vollmannová - VEGA 1/0246/18: Application of modern biotechnological methods in order to conserve plant genetic resources
Coordinator: Zdenka Gálová - KEGA 020SPU-4/2016: Innovation of education of the subject Biochemical technologies in relation to the new study field and program Agrobiotechnology
Coordinator: Dana Urminská - VEGA 02/0041/16: Molecular methods in breeding of naturally gluten-free amaranth
Coordinator: Zdenka Gálová
Publications
Managers:
Jozef Nahálka – project manager (CHÚ SAV)
Ján Mucha – assistant project manager (CHÚ SAV)
Dana Urminská – Assistant Project Manager (SPU)
Alica Vikartovská – financial manager (CHÚ SAV)
Zuzana Gálová – financial manager (SPU)
Danica Mislovičová – monitoring manager (CHÚ SAV)
Juraj Miššík – Monitoring Manager (SPU)
Marián Mazáň – publicity manager (CHÚ SAV)
Researchers from CHÚ SAV:
Peter Biely
Eva Stratilová
Danica Mislovičová
Alica Vikartovská
Ján Mucha
Vladimír Five-fingered
Jozef Nahálka
Jaroslav Klaudiny
Peter Capek
Zdenka Hromádková
Mária Matulová
Ján Gajdoš
Marek Nemčovič
Katarína Šuchová
Maria Dzúrová
Sergey Shestak
Sonia Garajová
Ria Vrsanska
Eva Hrabárová
Iveta Uhliariková
Zuzana Košt’álová
Solvers from SPU:
prof. RNDr. Zdenka Gálová, CSc.
prof. RNDr. Alena Vollmannová, PhD.
doc. RNDr. Ing. Tomáš, Tóth, PhD.
RNDr. Juraj Miššík, PhD.
Ing. Martin Hajduch, PhD.
doc. Ing. Marián Schwarz, PhD.
Content
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