International research projects

The goal of EUROCAROTEN is to enhance the competitiveness of the European agro-food industry and promote health by coordinating research on carotenoids. These are of great importance in this context as they are versatile and can be used as natural colorants, antioxidants, sources of vitamin A and functional ingredients. Of the over 750 carotenoids described ca. 10 are being thoroughly studied, so there is much potential to produce positive impacts at different levels.Popis v anglickom jazyku: The goal of EUROCAROTEN is to enhance the competitiveness of the European agro-food industry and promote health by coordinating research on carotenoids. These are of great importance in this context as they are versatile and can be used as natural colorants, antioxidants, sources of vitamin A and functional ingredients. Of the over 750 carotenoids described ca. 10 are being thoroughly studied, so there is much potential to produce positive impacts at different levels.

Project Duration: 2016-2020

Coordinator: Dr. Antonio J. MELENDEZ-MARTINEZ, The University of Seville, Spain 

Local Coordinator: doc. Ing. Martina Fikselová, PhD., Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, FBFS SUA in Nitra 

More information on: https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA15136/#tabs|Name:overview 

Contamination of plants meant for human consumption is of increased concern for food-safety and human health. Many different disease outbreaks resulting from consumption of fresh fruits and veg-etables demonstrated the possibility of occurrence of human pathogenic micro-organisms (HPMO) in plant derived products. Contamination routes of human pathogenic micro-organisms to plants are poorly understood.The intention of HUPLANTcontrol is to investigate the potential negative aspects of plant microbiomes on human health and to integrate novel scientific insight into sanitary measures and agricultural management practices.

Project duration: 2018 - 2021 

Coordinator: Dr. Leo van Overbeek, Wageningen University and Research, Germany

Local coordinator: Ing. Juraj Medo, PhD., Department of Microbiology, FBFS SUA in Nitra

More information on: https://huplantcontrol.igzev.de/

Crop plants interact with both arthropods and microorganisms, including pests that reduce yields (in Europe up to 20% annually) and mutualists that promote yield. There is thus potential to enhance crop production and reduce pesticide use if we can better predict and manage Crop-Arthropod-Microorganism (CAMo) interactions to our advantage. Currently, knowledge of CAMo interactions is limited due to historical separation of the involved research fields.This COST Action will therefore combine existing expertise on CAMo interactions in Europe, from basic and strategic research to agri-R[&]D companies, and form an interdisciplinary platform and incubator for research on mechanisms, impacts and utilization of CAMo interactions on crop yield.

Project duration: 2014 - 2019

Coordinator: Dr. Eduardo De La Pena, Ghent University, Belgium

Local coordinator: Ing. Juraj Medo, PhD., Department of Microbiology, FBFS SUA in Nitra

More information on: https://www.cost-camo.eu/ 

The main aim of project will be preparation of unique "catalogue" "Katalog źródłowy tradycyjnego dziedzictwa kulturowego obszarów wiejskich" (the resource catalogue of traditional cultural heritage of small villages) - the meaningful for Polish heritage and cultural landscape of rural areas elaborated for selected Malopolska regions with support of foreign partners.

Project duration: 2018 - 2020

Coordinator: University of Agriculture in Krakow

Local coordinator: doc. Ing. Martina Fikselová, PhD., Department of Hygiene and Food Safety, FBFS SUA in Nitra

More info: https://foodheritage.urk.edu.pl/

The estimation of the bioaccessibility fraction of elements from soil and food nowadays takes on a growing scientific interest, which is characterized by an increasing number of scientific publications in this field. Since inorganic pollutants are persistent and ubiquitous, it is important to determine their total content and the amount that can be released into the bloodstream of a human after exposure to the polluted soil and/or food samples. Analysis of soil and food samples on the content of potentially toxic and essential elements (EE) is of great significance and is usually used to assess their quality and safety.

Project duration: 2019 - 2020

Coordinator: Ing. Július Árvay, PhD., Department of Chemistry, FBFS SUA in Nitra

Bilateralproject: Slovakia - Peru

Application of Assisted Reproduction Technology of High Complexity ICSI in the Production of Alpaca Embryos by Micromanipulation

Coordinator: Mariano Astocondor Mauro Gilber, National University of San Marcos, Peru

Local coordinator: prof. MVDr. Peter Massanyi, DrSc., Department of Animal Physiology, FBFS SUA in Nitra

More info on: http://vri.unmsm.edu.pe/images/csi/documentos/GI/GI_2018/Biologia_03202-R-18.pdf?lang=sk#page=5[&]zoom=auto,-73,501

COST project

SHARING ADVANCES ON LARGE ANIMAL MODELS (SALAAM)

The translation of novel discoveries from basic research to clinical application is a long, often inefficient and costly process. Consequently, “Translational Medicine” has become a top priority. Appropriate animal models are critical for the success of translational research. The choice of species will always depend on the specific problem that a research study aims to address. Although rodent models are widely used, they often fail to provide an accurate representation of the human disease. Thus, there is an urgent need for non-rodent animal models that mimic aspects of human anatomy and physiology more closely. Pigs, small ruminants and rabbits are excellent candidates. This Action will (i) share information and technology for the development of tailored large animal models; (ii) develop criteria for selection of the species most suitable as a model for the question under investigation; (iii) establish and validate standardized phenotyping protocols; (iv) create a database of existing models, tissue samples, and validated phenotypic assays; and (v) develop and communicate concepts for the scientific and ethical evaluation of experiments with large animals, including involvement of the regulatory authorities. In fostering translational research in Europe the Action supports the objectives of the Amsterdam Treaty.

Project duration: 2014-2018

Coordinators: Prof Eckhard WOLF, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany

Local coordinator: prof. Ing. Peter Chrenek, DrSc., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, prof. Ing. Adriana Kolesárová, PhD., Department of Animal Physiology FBFS SUA in Nitra

More info on: https://www.cost.eu/actions/BM1308/#tabs|Name:overview

SRDA Bilateral Project Slovakia - France

Intracellular response of ovarian and intestinal system on application of Fusarium toxins

It is well known that environmental stress is one of the main factors that may alter homeostasis of human and animal organisms. Mycotoxins, which are found in foodstuffs and feedstuffs, belong to natural toxins which can affect the human and animal health. Fusarium toxins-induced cellular stress may cause the alterations in endocrine and intracellular response of the reproductive system and intestinal tract. The aim of the project will examine the effect of Fusarium toxins on ovarian and intestinal functions of pigs focused on the secretory activity of cells, proliferation and apoptosis through intracellular regulators of cell cycle. Due to the presence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs and feedstuffs is necessary determination of toxic effects in order to determination of health risk.

Project duration: 2016 – 2017

Coordinator: prof. Ing. Adriana Kolesárová, PhD., Department of Animal Physiology, FBFS SUA in Nitra

Partner: Isabelle OSWALD, Agr. Eng., Ph.D., HDR, INRA Toxalin, Toulouse, France

COST project

A Collaborative European Network on Rabbit Genome Biology (RGB-Net)

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a key species in biology. Basic discoveries have been made investigating this mammal whose genome has been recently sequenced. The rabbit is a livestock, an animal model, a wild resource, a pest and a fancy animal and comprises a large number of breeding stocks/lines. This Action will bring together experts in all rabbit research areas and in other complementary research fields (breeders, geneticists, bioinformaticians, physiologists, evolutionists, embryologists, immunologists, industry experts, etc.) in order to facilitate the transition of rabbit genomic information from experimental data into usable benefits and applications by means of networking expertise. Four Working Groups will be focused on i) the refinement of the European rabbit genome resource and the development of genome-based platforms, ii) genetic aspects in meat, fur and pet rabbits and biodiversity resources, iii) the rabbit as a model in basic biology and human diseases and as a tool for biotechnology applications and iv) genetic and comparative genomic aspects for the study, exploitation and management of wild lagomorphs. The outcome is a coordination of rabbit research activities and a transfer of knowledge which will produce a strong European added value across a broad spectrum of biology research fields.

Project duration: 2011-2015

Coordinator: Prof Luca FONTANESI, The University of Bologna, Italy

Local coordinators: prof. Ing. Adriana Kolesárová, PhD., Department of Animal Physiology, prof. Ing. Peter Chrenek, DrSc., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, FBFS SUA in Nitra

More info on: https://www.cost.eu/actions/TD1101/#tabs|Name:overview

Fa1202

A European NetwokFor Mitigating Bacterial Colonisation and Persistence On Foods and Food Processing Environments

Persistent bacteria on foods and processing sites are of great concern in food industry causing continuous recontamination and safety problems. Removal of persistent bacteria and biofilms requires costly efforts leading to lost productivity and environmental issues. There is a need to combine and re-evaluate current scientific knowledge on persistence of bacteria and to introduce new engineering approaches for controlling pathogens. The objective of this Action is to enable the development/promotion of targeted solutions for controlling risks associated with persistent bacteria and biofilms in the food industry. It involves a multidisciplinary network which will expand our knowledge on colonization and persistence, and validate/identify appropriate methods for monitoring colonisation patterns. Known and emerging intervention methods will be explored and re-evaluated. The knowledge obtained will be promoted to the relevant food industries and the scientific community.

Project duration: 2012-2016 

Coordinator: Dr Hülya ÖLMEZ, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Turkey

Local coordinator: prof. Ing. Miroslava Kačániová, PhD., Department of Microbiology, FBFS SUA in Nitra

SRDE Bilateral project Slovakia - Serbia

Characteristics of cheeses made with autochthonous lactic acid bacteria

Cheeses, due to their specific composition and properties, represent a good base for the development of new products with functional properties. The diversity of metabolic activities of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria from raw milk and traditional dairy products offers a great potential for the development new strains.The aim of this cooperation will be the transfer of the methodological practices in area of isolation, identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria with good technological and probiotic properties, which are isolated from milk and traditional Slovak and Serbian dairy products.

Project duration: 2015-2016

Coordiantor: doc. Ing. Margita Čanigová, CSc., Department of Evaluation and Processing of Animal Products, FBFS SUA in Nitra

Partner: doc. Ing. Viera Duckova, PhD., Department of Evaluation and Processing of Animal Products, FBFS SUA in Nitra