Department of Zoology and Anthropology

The Department of Zoology and Anthropology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, UKF in Nitra, focuses on zoological research, animal ecology, biodiversity studies, and biological anthropology.

The department combines field research, laboratory analysis, and interdisciplinary cooperation to study animal communities, ecosystem relationships, and aspects of human biological variability and development. It plays an important role in biological research and teacher education within the faculty.

Structural and Molecular-Genetic Bone Research

Focuses on the microstructural analysis of bone tissue and molecular-biological investigations related to bone health. This includes:

• Microstructural bone analyses after exposure to risk factors, pharmaceuticals, nutrition components
• Identification of genes affecting bone structure and function
• Predicting osteoporotic risk and evaluating treatment effectiveness
• Biological species identification and pathology evaluation from skeletal remains
• Age estimation based on skeletal analysis — with applications in archeozoology and forensic sciences

Animal and Human Physiology

Addresses physiological processes in both animals and humans, such as:

• Biomonitoring of human tissues and fluids
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical compounds
• Determination of endocrine disruptor concentrations
• Understanding physiology in response to environmental and chemical factors

Cellular Biology and Reproductive Biology

Research on cellular function and reproductive mechanisms includes:

• In vitro embryonic development (e.g., nucleologenesis and gene transcription in early pig embryos)
• Inter-species nuclear transfer studies
• Effects of environmental contaminants on ovarian functions
• Influence of therapeutic nanoparticles on ovarian cell behaviour

Proteomic Analysis

Proteomics studies focus on identifying and understanding protein expression in biological systems, such as:

• Qualitative proteome analysis using LC-MS/MS
• Monitoring protein composition changes in response to external factors
• Detection of de novo synthesized proteins as stress markers
• Assessing oocyte quality and identifying specific protein markers
• Identification of protein allergens in selected food components

Zoological Systematics and Ecology (Teaching-linked research)

While not explicitly framed as a formal research line, the department’s educational and curricular offerings strongly relate to zoological systematics, animal development, behaviour and ecology, indicating an applied research component consistent with its teaching profile. Subjects include:

• Morphology and systematics of animals
• Developmental biology and reproductive biology of organisms
• Animal ecology and ethology
• Bioanalytical methods in biomedical and ecological contexts