Laboratory for molecular genetics of natural resources

Team: Naris Pojskić, PhD, Head of Laboratory; Lada Lukić Bilela, PhD; Amra Kazić, PhD; Belma Kalamujić, MSc; Lejla Lasić, MSc; Una Tulić.


The research of intraspecific and interspecific variability of economically, culturally and biologically important natural resources represents one of the long-term objectives of the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. In the past decade, the collection of the intellectual and material data has begun, needed for the establishment of a system of direct monitoring of natural resources variability at the molecular level, as one of the prerequisites for beginning the process of protection and preservation of biological resources.

After successful execution of several research projects, formation of personnel and material basis for continuous research, establishment of a reliable IT support within the Institute, and after confirmation of the practical applicability of this type of studies, there was a need to set up organizational units whose primary goal will be the basic genetic and molecular-genetic investigation of natural resources.

The following general activities have been undertaken to achieve proposed goals:
  • continuous monitoring of the market and laboratory set up to meet its needs,
  • prioritizing research objectives,
  • keeping up-to-date with current scientific literature, learning and mastering new research methods,
  • introduction to international standards for molecular genetic research, data processing and reporting,
  • upgrading laboratory to meet international standards and norms,
  • providing scientific support to the legislature in drafting normative acts on the management of natural resources,
  • offering support to relevant governmental and nongovernmental organizations in the assessment of biodiversity and preparation of proposals for conservation of specific biological systems,
  • continuous communication with other members of the University and business companies in order to establish the basis for multilateral research projects,
  • carrying out undergraduate and postgraduate education in the field of laboratory expertise.

 Also, some specific activities have been commenced such as:

  • creation and implementation of on-going research projects,
  • standardization of molecular-genetic methods for routine application using the available equipment,
  • development of specific molecular marker systems suitable for mass and routine studies of selected populations,
  • designing multidisciplinary research projects,
  • data processing in collaboration with the Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics,
  • obtaining data for REBIDA (Regional Database of Biodiversity),
  • preparing results for publication,
  • providing support to other organizational units of the Institute.
 

Scientific projects


  • “Genetic characterization of brown trout populations (Salmo trutta m. fario) from the river Neretva and some of its tributaries”, project supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science.
  • "Molecular and genetic characterization of human, animal and plant resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Phase I", (in cooperation with other laboratories of the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology), project supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Sarajevo Canton.
  • “Molecular and genetic characterization of populations of Pinus heldreichii using RAPD method”.
  • “Molecular cytogenetic characterization of fig, Ficus carica, populations based on microsatellite regions”.
  • "Molecular and genetic characterization of human, animal and plant resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Phase II", (in cooperation with other laboratories of the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology), project funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Sarajevo Canton.
  • "Migration routes of population of Bosnia and Herzegovina after displacement based on mtDNA genetic markers".
  • “Assessment of genetic diversity of the B&H populations of grayling (Thymallus thymallus L.)”.
  • "The application of molecular markers in the analysis of Halal products of plant and animal origin: Detection of pork and its derivatives in food products using DNA analysis".
  • "Analysis of genetic structure, genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of natural populations of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) within its natural range in Bosnia and Herzegovina", project supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.
  • "Genotyping of mtDNA haplogroups in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina".
  • "Molecular-genetic determination of indigenous B&H populations of Danube trout (Hucho hucho), project supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Sarajevo Canton.
  • “Population genetic structure of salmonid populations in B&H rivers of Sava River basin”, project funded by the Agency for Management of Sava River Basin.
  • "DNA characterization of the B&H autochthonous animal resources”, project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science.
  • "The genetic determination of endemic species of Vjetrenica cave system for the purpose of raising awareness about biodiversity in B&H", project supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
  • “Application of the results of genetic analysis of diversity of salamander (Salamandra atra prenjensis) from Prenj mountain with the aim of developing new ecotourism offers”, project supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
  • “Development of mountain tourism on the basis of genetic characterization of animal resources from B&H mountain lakes”, project financed by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Laboratory for Molecular Genetics of Natural Resources offers expertise in:
  • Genetic identification of the fish stock and fry of salmonid species (for stocking or restoration of the fish stock);
  • Selective fish farming (salmonid species) based on molecular genetic markers;
  • Genetic characterization of indigenous varieties of B&H fruits and vegetables using molecular genetic markers;
  • Genetic characterization of B&H autochthonous breeds of cattle using molecular genetic markers;
  • Genetic characterization of B&H native species of forest trees using molecular genetic markers.

Contact: lmg@ingeb.ba