Laboratórium predstavuje špecializované pracovisko pre výskum biologických procesov na úrovni DNA, RNA, proteínov, buniek a tkanív. Súčasný výskum sa orientuje predovšetkým na biológiu kosti. V laboratóriu pracuje výskumný tím „Štrukturálny a molekulárno-genetický výskum kosti“.
Výskumné zameranie
Hlavné oblasti výskumu laboratória zahŕňajú:
- mikroštrukturálne analýzy kostného tkaniva a molekulárno-biologické analýzy na kultivovaných kostných bunkách po expozícii rôznymi rizikovými látkami, liečivami, ako aj potravinami či zložkami výživy,
- identifikáciu génov, ktoré ovplyvňujú štruktúru a funkciu kosti s cieľom ich využitia pri predpovedaní rizika vzniku osteoporózy a stanovení účinnosti liečby osteoporózy,
- štrukturálne a molekulárno-biologické analýzy historických kostí za účelom identifikácie biologického druhu, patológií, alebo určenia veku jedinca v čase smrti,
- aplikáciu výsledkov výskumu a technológií (2D a 3D zobrazovacích metód, kultivácie buniek, analýzy génovej expresie) v praxi na testovanie nových liečiv pre prevenciu a liečbu osteoporózy a diabetu, genetické testovanie vo vzťahu k účinnosti liečby osteoporózy a štrukturálne analýzy pre využitie v archeozoológii a forenzných vedách.
The Most Important Outcomes
We have developed a new method of species identification from bones
The publication presenting the method (Martiniakova M. et al. 2006. J Forensic Sci, 51: 1235-9) was recommended by the prestigious Oxford Bibliographies database as the basic literature for scientists and students from around the world in the field of bone histology; this method has thus become one of the technologies that have greatly influenced the global development and direction of bone histology research.
We provided worldwide the first exact evidence of osteoporosis in archaeologically recovered animal bones
We confirmed an early stage of osteoporosis using microstructural analyses in sheep femur of medieval date (8th -9th century). (Martiniaková, M. et al. 2008. Archaeopress; Oxford, 87-94).
We have revealed the effect of specific polymorphisms in the ESR1 gene on the effectiveness of osteoporosis therapy
This genetic test may be used in prediction of the effectiveness of hormonal therapy (17ß estradiol/progesterone), as well as SERMs/raloxifene therapies in patients with osteoporosis (Mondockova V. et al. 2018. BMC Med Genet. 19:174).
Our Mission in Education
We use our laboratory facilities and equipment also in education. Our biology and molecular biology study programs focus on modern trends: biomedicine, biotechnology and biodiversity, where modern technologies are indispensable.
We use both standard and state-of-the-art molecular and imaging technologies, including DNA sequencing and new generation sequencing, microarrays, PCR techniques and electrophoresis, micro-computed tomography, microscopy, cell cultures.
The ability to work on top-of-the-range devices and to learn modern methods provides our students a competitive labor market advantage in laboratory experience and knowledge.
Our Mission in Practice
Testing of New Drugs for Osteoporosis and Diabetes Treatment
We test new medicaments for the prevention and treatment of human diseases using imaging methods.
Analyses for Archaeozoology and Forensics
We apply microstructural methods to identify biological species, age at the time of death, or pathologies.
Pharmacogenetic Analyses of Osteoporosis Treatment Efficacy
We analyse genes affecting the efficacy of osteoporosis treatment by hormonal therapy and raloxifene.
Our Research Team
The research team of the laboratory consists of scientists and PhD. students from the Department of Botany and Genetics and the Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia.
Our Technology and Equipment
Contact Person
prof. RNDr. Radoslav Omelka, PhD.
Address:
Department of Botany and Genetics
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra
Nábrežie mládeže 91
949 74 Nitra
Slovakia
Call: +421 37 6408 580
Email: romelka@ukf.sk
Lab Location
Research Laboratories of the Faculty of Natural Sciences
Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra
Trieda A. Hlinku 1, Block E
949 74 Nitra
Slovakia