Department of Genetics and Genomics - Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology
Department of Genetics and Genomics
Department of Genetics and Genomics
Last modified: 05. October 2022
The Department of Genetics and Genomics, established in February 2021, is made up of four research groups, and its research aims to provide state-of-the-art genomics and genetics of agriculturally important plant and animal species and to apply the results to practical applications. In addition to research, great emphasis is placed on education and training of young researchers. The Department will be headed by Dr. Viktor Stéger, Senior Research Fellow, from 1st February 2021.
Dr. Viktor Stéger
head of department Phone: +36-28/430-494 Fax: +36-28/430-494 Office: MATE GBIGödöllő, Szent-Györgyi A. u. 4., 2 emelet, 242 E-mail:Steger.Viktor@uni-mate.hu
Applications
The work in the group is supported by a VKE (NKFIA 2017-1.3.1-VKE-2017-00026), Dr. Endre Barta, Dr. László Hiripi, Dr. Viktor Stéger) and an applied research grant within the framework of the Hungarian National Beekeeping Programme (AM Decree 57/2019 (XIII.14), 27§).
Agricultural Genomics and Bioinformatics Group
Agricultural Genomics and Bioinformatics Group
The Agricultural Genomics and Bioinformatics Group is led by Endre Barta (PhD). The group is working on bioinformatics since the 1990s. In these days, our most important profile is searching for genetic and genomic markers in farm animals by using bioinformatic methods. The first mammalian genome was sequenced in our group in Hungary. Sequencing the three varieties of Mangalica pig revealed those genes, for example in the fat-metabolism, in which Mangalica differs from other pig varieties. First in Hungary, we have also assembled a mammalian genome de novo, resulting in CerEla1.0, the red deer reference genome, which is used worldwide by number of research groups for genomic and genetic research. Recently, as part of a research consortium, our group’s main task is the genetics and genomics of house-rabbit.
Applied Wild and Farm Animal Genomics Group
Applied Wild and Farm Animal Genomics Group
The Department of Genetics and Genomics, established within the framework of MATE-GBI, currently includes four groups.
The group has been conducting mammalian and bee genomics and genetics research since 2017. Within genomics, our important goal is the genome sequencing of Hungarian domestic animals and the most important wild animals, and to use genome sequences to develop genetic markers for population genetics and selection studies.
The group cooperates with the Hungarian National Beekeepers' Association (OMME) and the National Association of Hungarian Beekeepers (MMOE) with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture. We have launched a long-term genetic selection and breeding program. We have launched a long-term genetic selection and maintenance program. We aim for the genetically based conservation and breeding of Pannonian bee colonies with excellent hygienic behaviour and genetically pure bees by artificial insemination and free mating.
In large carnivore genetic studies, we collaborate with national parks (BNPI, DNPI, ANPI), where we carry out species and individual identification and population genetic studies on different wild animal species. We are constantly looking for national and international funding opportunities.
Our service is based on 30 years of professional experience. We provide homozygous doubled haploid (DH) pepper lines via in vitro anther culture. This is a unique pepper DH service laboratory in Hungary where Hungarian and breeding partners from abroad are also welcome.
Nowadays, pepper breeders are facing serious challenges due to appearance of different and increasingly variable pathogens, especially of viruses. Multi-resistant hybrid production seems to be a breakthrough solution in effective plant protection. This time-consuming breeding process can be speed up highly by the above mentioned GMO-free, routinely used tissue culture method. Since homozygous individuals can be produced from a selected breeding line within one generation, time saving of this technique is really exceptional.
In addition to our work on highly assisted competitiveness of Hungarian pepper hybrid production, a number of other breeding programs are also supported according to the needs of our partners.
Molecular Genetics and Breeding Group
Molecular Genetics and Breeding Group
The Molecular Genetics and Breeding Group, led by Antal Szőke (PhD), associate professor, carries out genomic and molecular genetic studies on different plant and animal species. Their plant genetics research includes molecular taxonomy, identification of markers linked to economically important traits, molecular fingerprinting, marker-based selection, cloning, identification and functional analysis of genes of different species. The main focus of their animal genomics research is the genome wide association studies.
The main activity of the group is the education. The group provides the management of the MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology and the Plant Genetics and Plant Breeding postgraduate specialist training course and coordinates the EmPlant+ Master Joint programme. The members of the group are lecturers and supervisors of several courses of MSc, BSc and postgraduate programmes at the MATE.
Major collaborations and educational activities of the department: The department's research topics are executed with the involvement of different national and international partners. The department's qualified research personnel also teaches several BSc., MSc. and PhD. level courses at several Hungarian universities (MATE, ELTE, DE) and further mentor high school students from Gödöllő interested in research activities.
The staff of the department provides the management of the MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology, Plant Genetics and Plant Breeding postgraduate specialist training course, and the Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology PhD programme, further they provide the academic coordination of the EmPlant+ Master Joint programme at the Szent István Campus in Gödöllő. The members of the group are lecturers and supervisors of several courses of PhD MSc, BSc and postgraduate programmes at the several Hungarian universities and at universities abroad..
