DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY & GENETICS
About the Department » Events
2014
1.-22. 4. 2014
The Easter willow 2014
We established a new tradition in the Department - a
decoration of an 'Easter Tree' Salix
matsudana with Easter eggs. You can see the results of our
students and employee activities in the gallery.
Photogallery
2013
13.-17. 5. 2013
Botanical excursions within the "Fascination of Plants Day 2013"
The second international "Fascination of Plants Day" was
launched under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation
(EPSO). The goal of this activity was to get as many people as possible
around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance
of plant science for agriculture, in sustainably producing food, as
well as for horticulture, forestry, and all of the non-food products
such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals. The
Department of Botany and Genetics organized two events for this day:
botanical excursion "Spring Flowers of Zobor Hills" (13. 5. 2013) and
botanical excursion "Plants around us" (17.
5. 2013). The excursions were attended by students and teachers from
primary schools from Trávnica and Golianovo.
Photogallery
of the botanical excursion "Plants around us"
2012
27. 9. 2012
Excursion in a seminar "Genetically modified plants tested in field
tests in 2012"
Our students took a part at the seminar which was conducted
on experimental field CVRV Borovce in Piešťany. Participants listened
to interesting lectures on the development and cultivation of
genetically modified plants and they had a possibility to take the
organized tour to view field trials with the experimental genetically
modified plants fields.
Photogallery
11. 5. 2012 Doctor Honoris Causa for prof. Ing. Štefan Hraška, DrSc.
Our colleague prof. Ing. Štefan Hraška, DrSc. was awarded by a honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa. The ceremony was held at the Pedagogical University of Cracow (Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny im. Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie).
16. 2. 2012 Open
day
The Department of Botany and Genetics hosted visitors and students of
secondary schools during the university open day. The visitors get
information about study programmes and research activities and they
could take the department guide tour with some stops in department
laboratories, lecture halls and a greenhouse. Some labs offered
carrying out some easy experiments for visitors. New technologies,
implemented in labs, were also presented.
2011
4. 10. 2011
Excursion to the Agricultural Research Institute of the Hungarian
Academy of Sciences in Martonvásár
The excursion was attended by our biology students. They become
familiar with the organization and history of the institute and
research projects it deals with. Subsequently they had a possibility to
take a tour of laboratories and clima-boxes with expert commentary.
Beyond these "obligations" we had a time to visit the Beethoven museum
and very nice park.
5. 5. 2011
Excursion in a seminar "Genetically modified plants tested in field
tests in 2011"
Our students took a part at the seminar which was conducted
on experimental field CVRV Borovce in Piešťany. Participants listened
to interesting lectures on the development and cultivation of
genetically modified plants and they had a possibility to take the
organized tour to view field trials with the experimental genetically
modified plants fields.
Photogallery
17. 2. 2011 Open
day
Also this year Constantine the Philosopher University, Department of
Botany and Genetics hosted visitors and students of secondary schools
during the open day. The visitors could take the department guide tour
with some stops in department laboratories, lecture halls and a
greenhouse. They also could try to carry out some easy experiments
(e.g. microscopy of microorganisms, DNA visualization) and get
information about study programmes and research activities.
2010
18. 2. 2010 Open
day
Also in 2010 the Department of Botany and Genetics hosted visitors and
students of secondary schools during the open day. The visitors could
take the department guide tour with some stops in department
laboratories, lecture halls and a greenhouse. They also could try to
carry out some easy experiments (e.g. microscopy of microorganisms, DNA
electrophoresis) and get information about study programmes and
research activities.
2009
8. - 9. 10. 2009
International Scientific Conference "5th Biological days"
The conference was held under
the auspices of prof. RNDr. Ľubomír Zelenický, CSc., the Dean of
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in
Nitra. The sessions included presentations in plant biology, animal and
human biology, as well as biology education. Invited Plenary lectures
were presented by prof. RNDr. Karol Mičieta, CSc., RNDr.
Jana Korduláková, PhD., doc. Ing. Peter Chrenek, DrSc. and prof. Ing.
Ladislav Hetényi, PhD. This year the conference was held first time in the campus of Biological Centre of
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in
Nitra. More than 60 participants from three countries
took part at the conference.
Photogallery
12. 2. 2009 Open
day
Similarly to previous years also in 2009 the Department of Botany and
Genetics hosted visitors and students of secondary schools during open
day. The visitors could take the department guide tour with some stops
in department laboratories, lecture halls and a greenhouse. They also
could try to carry out some easy experiments and get information about
study programmes and research activities.
2008
28. 11. 2008
Workshop "Dangerous organisms"
Workshop was held in the Biological Centre CPU, within the
ESF project www.prirodovedec.sk. It was focused on a
presentation of a publication Dangerous organisms (in Slovak), as well
as other educational publications. Altogether 52 participants from
basic and secondary schools took part at the workshop. The workshop
consists of lectures which were presented by RNDr. Peter Boleček, PhD.,
doc. RNDr. Roman Kuna, PhD., Ing. Anna Gogoláková, PhD., PaedDr. Janka
Schlarmannová, PhD., doc. RNDr. Monika Martiniaková, PhD., RNDr.
Alexandra Bezáková. Doc. RNDr. Radoslav Omelka, PhD. was a chairman of
the workshop.
14. 2. 2008 Open
day
The open day was again focused on a popularization of biology study
programs at the University. The Department of Botany and Genetics
prepared an interesting program: the visitors could take the department
guide tour with some stops in Laboratory of molecular biology,
Laboratory of microbiology, Laboratory of plant physiology, Greenhouse,
and Analytical laboratory of plant biology. The visitors also could try
to carry out some easy experiments.
2007
7.-8. 3. 2007
Course: Multimedial presentations in biology
The course was focused on making MS Power-Point presentations
with biological theme. The participants got up some skills with
computer service, basic equipment and operating system, software (MS
Office), internet, e-mail. They also made a digital photography with
camera and CCD (microscope) camera with following image and photography
processing. The course was assigned to basic and secondary school
teachers from Nitra region.
15. 2. 2007 Open
day
Similarly to previous Open days, the Department of Botany and Genetics
prepared an interesting program: the visitors could take the department
guide tour with some stops in Laboratory of molecular biology,
Laboratory of microbiology, Laboratory of plant physiology, Greenhouse,
and, firstly, new Analytical laboratory of plant biology.
2006
6. 7. 2006 Course:
Genetically modified organisms
The course was focused on special lectures and practices in
making, utilization and problems of genetically-modified organisms
(GMO) - microorganisms, plants and animals. The lectures were given by
invited specialist. The participants could try some molecular
techniques, e.g. DNA isolation, PCR and electrophoresis.
Photogallery
26. 6. 2006 Doc. Ing. Miroslav Zima, CSc., the head of the
Department of Botany and Genetics, died
He touched our lives and will be missed...
Doc. RNDr. Roman Kuna, PhD. was charged to run the department.
16. 2. 2006 Open day
Similarly to previous Open days, the Department of Botany and Genetics
prepared an interesting program: the visitors could take the department
guide tour with some stops in Laboratory of molecular biology,
Laboratory of microbiology, Laboratory of plant physiology and in the
Greenhouse.
2005
8. - 9. 9. 2005
International Scientific Conference " 4th Biological days"
The aim of the conference was to present results of
biological research and to point out the possibilities of new knowledge
transfer into biology education. The participants could introduce their
research possibilities in European research framework. The conference
offered a good opportunity for future contacts and cooperation. More
than 300 participants from 8 countries took part at the conference.
Photogallery
13. - 14. 6. 2005 Course: New trends in molecular biology and
genetics
The course was focused on special lectures and practices in
different topics of genetics and molecular biology. The lectures
included Human genome mapping (HUGO project), genetically-modified
organisms (GMO), animal cloning and new methods in molecular biology
(gene knock-out, DNA chips). The participants could try some molecular
techniques, e.g. DNA isolation, PCR and electrophoresis.
Photogallery
17.-18. a 24.-25. 2. 2005 Course: Information and
communication technologies and their application in biology education
The course was focused on working with computer, basic
equipment and operating system, software (MS Office), internet, e-mail,
image and photography processing and storage of information on CD.
Thirteen basic and secondary school teachers took part in the course.
Lecturers: Mgr. Tomáš Janeček, RNDr. Roman Kuna, PhD., RNDr. Monika
Martiniaková, PhD., RNDr. Radoslav Omelka, PhD.
Photogallery
17. 2. 2005 Open day
The open day was focused on a presentation of the department
and the University. Students of secondary and high schools could visit
some lecture halls and laboratories of the department. The members of
the department informed the students about facilities for study and
prepared some easy experiments from Microbiology, Botany, Plant
physiology and Molecular biology for visitors.
2004
11. 11. 2004 Open
day
Once more in 2004 the department organized open day aimed to
interest students of secondary and high schools in study of biology at
the University. The members of the Department informed the students
about facilities for study. The visitors also could try to carry out
some easy experiments from Microbiology, Botany, Plant physiology and
Molecular biology.
Photogallery
21.-22. 9. 2004 International scientific symposium "Culture -
an area for interdisciplinary ideas"
The Symposium was dedicated to the 45th anniversary of
Constantine the Philosopher University establishment. Members of the
department staff presented their contributions in subsection Biology.
Photogallery of subsection Biology with Slovak commentary
7. 7. 2004 Discussion afternoon dedicated to modern trends in
biological research
We could listen very interested lectures:
Ing. Ivan Šimko, PhD. (USDA – ARS Beltsville, USA; previously Boyce
Thompson Institute Cornell University): „Molecular and Functional
Genomics of Solanum“
Ing. Katarína Hrubíková, PhD. (Scottish Crop Research Institute,
Dundee, UK): „Development of VIGS vectors (Viral Induced Gene
Silencing) for Functional Analysis in Crops“
Photogallery with Slovak commentary
26. 3. 2004 5th conference of PhD students and young scientists
Our PhD students and members of the department staff took
part at the conference.
Photogallery
of section "Biology" with Slovak commentary
11. 2. 2004 Open day
The aim of the open day was to interest students of secondary
and high schools in study of biology at the University. The members of
the Department informed the students about facilities for study. The
visitors also could try to carry out some easy experiments from
Microbiology, Botany, Plant physiology and Molecular biology.
2003
15. 12. 2003 The
70-th birthday of prof. Ing. Štefan Hraška, DrSc.
The Rector of Constantine the Philosopher University prof.
Daniel Kluvanec awarded prof. Hraška Gold medal for his 70-th birthday
(21. 12.). On the occasion of the celebration the Department of Botany
and Genetics organized the conference „Current trends in research and
education of biological disciplines“. Some famous Slovak biologists and
geneticists took part at the conference.
Photogallery
14. 10. 2003 Opening of the Laboratory of Molecular biology
The laboratory was opened by the Rector of the University
prof. Kluvanec. The Head of the Department of Botany and Genetics
assoc. prof. Zima welcomed some guests from the University including
the Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences prof. Vozár. Assoc. prof.
Bauerová, the guarantee of the Laboratory, informed about possibilities
of research and education in the Laboratory. RNDr. Omelka brought the
information about technical equipment of the Laboratory. The Laboratory
now represents a special workplace for research of biological processes
on DNA (protein) level.
Photogallery
1. 4. 2003 A new Head of the Department of Botany and Genetics
Assoc. prof. Ing. Miroslav Zima, CSc. is a new Head of the Department of Botany and Genetics.
doc. Ing. Miroslav Zima, CSc.
History between 1996-2002
In 1996 the Department obtained the accreditation for all University activities: Bc, M.Sc, Ph.D study, Assoc. prof. and Prof. qualifications. The University opened new study programs including different biological disciplines which positive affects a development of the department. Students could attend lectures of new biological disciplines: cell biology, bioenergetics, microbial, plant and animal biotechnologies. The department started a cooperation with research institutes (Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Research Institute for Plant Production in Piešťany) and institutes of Slovak Academy of Sciences. New members of the staff brought possibilities to cooperate with foreign institutes (Austria, Holland, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Greece) and also to build new laboratories for biological research and education.
History between 1992-1995
In 1993 the Department of Biology and Chemistry of the Pedagogical University (previous name of Constantine the Philosopher University; 1992-1993) was evaluated and got a permission to realize state exams. The Head of the Department was doc. Ing. Alojz Marenčík, CSc. The Department was later divided into Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry. New members of the staff (prof. Š. Hraška, DrSc., prof. V. Uhrín, DrSc., RNDr. M. Bauerová, PhD.) brought new ideas to biology education and research. As a consequence of their work different perspective disciplines was developed, e.g. molecular biology, genetic disciplines, plant and animal physiology. Also "old" subjects (botany, zoology, microbiology) were affected by new approaches which came together with young members of the staff (RNDr. R. Kuna, RNDr. A. Jančová, RNDr. J. Schlarmannová, RNDr. B. Matejovičová). In September 1995 the department was divided into the Department of Botany and Genetics (the head of the department was doc. Ing. A. Marenčík, CSc.) and the Department of Zoology and Anthropology (the head of the department was doc. RNDr. Štefan Stollár, CSc.). The staff of the Department of Botany and Genetics included one professor (prof. Ing. Mikuláš Pačuta, CSc.), three associate professors (Assoc. prof. Ing. Alojz Marenčík, CSc., Assoc. prof. Ing. Katarína Podoláková, CSc., Assoc. prof. Ing. Viera Stollárová, CSc.), two assistant professors (Ing. Fabián Kecskeméti, CSc. a RNDr. Roman Kuna), secretary (M. Duroňová) and technical assistants (A. Páleniková, E. Sádovská, D. Mika, J. Michalička).
doc. Ing. Alojz Marenčík, CSc.
History between 1961-1991
Education of Biology at the
Department of Natural Sciences started in February 1961. In addition to
Biology the department provided also education of Geology, Chemistry
and Agrology. The staff of the department was represented especially by
new lecturers who had come from the Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Comenius University in Bratislava. Students could attend lectures of
different biological disciplines, e.g. Botany (lecturers: J.
Horváthová, D. Marcinková, Ing. Hudoba, CSc.), Zoology (Š. Stollár, S.
Ligač), Anthropology (A. Graus), Geology (J. Gazda) and Biology
education (Š. Kukan). Lectures of Chemistry held L. Sojka, J. Malý and
J. Salfalvi. Ing. J. Konôpka, Ing. A. Marenčík, Ing. V. Stollárová and
Ing. J. Šiška held Practices of Agrology. During 1961-1976 the
department was divided into the Department of Agrology, the Department
of Chemistry and the Department of Biology and Geology.
After political events in 1968 the number of students decreased and the
Department of Biology and Geology had to join with the Department of
Agrology. In 1973 a new member of the staff, doc. Ing. M. Pačuta, CSc.,
became the head of the department. Together wit him a geneticist doc.
Ing. J. Staško, CSc. came to the department and as the first lecturer
in department history he started to educate Genetics as a standard
subject. In 1978 the Department of Biology and Chemistry was created
and the changes, as well as the changes in an education system in
Slovakia (new two-subject study programs for future basic and secondary
school teachers) supported a development of biological disciplines.
Most of the staff started their external PhD study at different
universities in Prague and Bratislava.
Politically active year 1989 brought other changes at the department.
The head of the department was replaced by Ing. J. Vídenský, CSc. and
later by prof. Ing. J. Staško, Dr.Sc.