ABC - Department of Animal Biotechnology

The Animal Biotechnology Department was re-established in 2011 and it is currently made of three research groups. The ultimate aim is to follow the main streams of the international research directions and adapt them to the need of the Hungarian partners. The Ruminant Genome Biology group lead by László Hiripi Ph.D. focuses on exploring the genetic background of bovine diseases. The research group is also working on the adaptation and development of genome editing tools for precision breeding in animal biotechnology. The Applied Embryology and Stem Cell Research group, lead by Elen Gócza Ph.D. got to be involved in the functional characterization of pluripotent stem cells. One of the main fields of their interest is currently to understand the role of miRNAs in maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Their new research is focusing on the molecular biological characterisation of chicken primordial germ cells. They are studying the possible agricultural applications of bird primordial germ cells too. The aim of the Rabbit Genome and Biomodel group, lead by Zsuzsanna Bősze D.Sc. is to use rabbit as model in basic research, human diseases and biotechnological applications in collaboration with Hungarian and foreign research partners. The research groups of the department are participating in the SALAAM COST Action (http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/bmbs/BM1308). Senior scientists are all involved through teaching in the B.Sc, M.Sc and Ph.D. educational programs of SZIE, ELTE and Corvinus Universities.