Medzinárodné výskumné projekty

Aktuálne projekty

EIT Food Hub  
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

Slovak  University of Agriculture in Nitra together with Slovak Business Agency-SBA form the only EIT Food Hub in Slovakia belonging to the collocation center in Warsaw. Since 2019, the aim of the EIT Food Hub in Slovakia, established by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, is to provide information on current events and challenges of EIT Food in the field of food industry and technology at the local, regional and national level, to strengthen cooperation with the agri-food sector in the field of transferring the results of science and research into practice, supporting cooperation with government organizations in the creation of a common agricultural policy and providing comprehensive support to innovators.
 
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
 
EIT Food Hub in Nitra stimulates entrepreneurial talent and the development of innovation and entrepreneurship at the level. From 2021, in cooperation with the SBA, it not only helps to create an environment for creative thoughts and valuable ideas, but also enables entrepreneurs and innovators to transform them into products or services and provides support in the field of startups and emerging business ecosystems in the agri-food sector. Within the framework of the EIT, it increases Europe's competitiveness, supports the EU's goals for creating sustainable economic growth and supported jobs, and strengthening synergies and cooperation between businesses, educational institutions and research organizations.
 

Project Duration: 2021 - 2023

Coordinator: prof. Ing. Adriana Kolesárová, PhD., SUA in Nitra

More information: www.eit.uniag.sk

ERASMUS MUNDUS
SUSTAINABILITY IN AGRICULTURE, FOOD PRODUCTION AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY IN THE DANUBE REGION (DANUBE AgriFood Master – DAFM)
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
The goal of the project is the creation of a joint master's degree "Sustainability in agriculture, food production and food-wine technologies in the Danube region" (Danube AgriFood Master - DAFM). The project focuses on sustainable development as a competent response to the upcoming challenges of climate change and the protection and promotion of livelihoods. It uses the Danube region as a model region for all coastal regions around the world.
 
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
 
Project brings together the unique expertise of a consortium of universities with the aim of providing top education based on research in the field of sustainable agriculture, food safety, food production and technology as a core content. It provides a solid foundation in all relevant disciplines from natural sciences, engineering, economics to social sciences, offers wide possibilities for interdisciplinary approaches and cross-cultural communication and supports the idea of a sustainable bioeconomy in science and education, thus creating conditions for joint cooperation in areas of research in biotechnology, food and health.

Project Duration: 2022 - 2026

Coordinator: prof. Ing. Adriana Kolesárová, PhD., SUA in Nitra

EIT Food

EIT Food Consumer Engagement Labs


Consumer Engagement Labs is project focused on pre-competitive co-creation sessions carried out by a relatively coherent group of consumers (senior consumers) in a joint, physical place and limited in time, focused on the development of new product concepts. Scientists, companies and senior consumers work together to propose new food products, which subsequently are introduced to the market by the local companies.
 
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
Maxim Pharm  s.r.o.
NU3Gen s.r.o
 

Project Duration: 2020 - 2021

Coordinator: prof. Ing. Adriana Kolesárová, PhD., FBFS SUA in Nitra

More information: https://eit.uniag.sk/activities/eit-cels

EIT Food Hub  

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted by consumers. Main mission of the project is to build an inclusive and innovative community where the consumer is actively involved.

This is achieved through our 6 strategic objectives:

Overcome low consumer trust - supporting European citizens in the transition towards a smart food system that is inclusive and reassuring. Create consumer-valued food for healthier nutrition - enabling individuals to make informed and affordable personal nutrition choices. Build a consumer-centric connected food system - developing a digital food supply network with consumers and industry as equal partners. Enhance sustainability through resource stewardship - developing solutions to transform the traditional ‘produce-use-dispose’ model into a circular bio-economy. Educate to engage, innovate and advance - providing ‘food system’ skills for students, entrepreneurs and professionals through advanced training programmes. Catalyse food entrepreneurship and innovation - fostering innovation at all stages of business creation.

 

Project Duration: 2019 - 2020

Coordinator: prof. Ing. Adriana Kolesárová, PhD., FBFS SUA in Nitra

More information: www.eit.uniag.sk

COST project

Sourdough biotechnology network towards novel, healthier and sustainable food and bIoprocesses - CA18101

 
Traditional sourdough bread resorts to spontaneous fermentations leading to natural selections of microorganisms, mainly yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. Such microorganisms are essentially beneficial to humans and, concomitantly, inhibits propagation of undesirable microbiota. Sourdough fermentation was probably one of the first microbial processes employed by Man for food production and preservation. Sourdough bread stills widely manufactured at farm level across Europe and worldwide and is highly appreciated by consumers for its distinct flavour, texture and healthy attributes. Through a bottom-up approach, this COST Action network brings together a multidisciplinary group of scientists and SMEs/LEs dedicated for many decades to study cereals and sourdough technologies. SOURDOMICS will exploit sourdough technology through entire value chain: from sustainable cereals’ production, through fermentation processes’ exploitation, to by-products’ valorisation in circular economy. In (1)-upstream, it aims at (1.1)-exploitation autochthonous (pseudo)cereals with good baking, nutritional and healthy attributes, while (1.2)-promoting a sustainable agriculture and preserving genetic diversity. Simultaneously, aims at contributing to develop new business opportunities to local farmers through their engagement into food processing with shared small-scale breadmaking facilities, and the integration into industrial and trade chains. Such features are in agreement with European Agenda for Food and Environment. In (2)-downstream, the biotechnological sourdough fermentation exploitation comprises several objectives: (2.1)-Design starter cultures with a wide range of biotechnological applications; (2.2)-Production of healthy and tasty varieties of bread, thus catalysing changes in consumers’ diets and market orientations; (2.3)-Production of high-added value metabolites resorting to sourdough microbiota; and (2.4)-Valorisation of by-products from cereal production and sourdough technologies.
 
Project Duration: 2019 - 2023
Coordinator: Dr. João ROCHA, ICETA INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS, TECNOLOGIAS E AGROAMBIENTE DA UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO
Local Coordinator: doc. Ing. Tatiana Bojňanská, CSc., prof. RNDr. Alena Vollmannová, PhD., Ing. Eva Ivanišová, PhD.
COST project European network to advance carotenoid research and applications in agro-food and health (EUROCAROTEN)

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 

COST project Control of Human Pathogenic Micro-organisms in Plant Production Systems

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, Netherlands

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

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

COST project Using three-way interactions between plants, microbes and arthropods to enhance crop protection and production

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 NAWA Programme Cultural heritage of small homelands

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, Poland

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

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

SRDA Bilateral project
Pollution state of soils and food samples in Serbia and Slovakia – bioaccessibility fraction of elements and health risk assessment

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

 

 

 

 

Ukončené projekty

Bilateralproject: Slovakia - Peru

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

SIN-CON

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 Maximilian University of Munich, 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