| NEW LABORATORY DIAGNOSTIC COMPLEX
The Laboratory Complex consists of five main laboratories (Phytopathology, Entomology, Nematology, Toxicology, and Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics) with the necessary supporting premises. The laboratory complex also disposes of four growing rooms.
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Plant pathology
The laboratory compartments are equipped for:
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identification of agents causing diseases of farm crops and studies on their bioecology;
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studies on the sources of primary and secondary infection and the dynamics of fungal pathogens distribution in soil and in water, used for irrigation;
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testing of various strains and varieties of farm crops for subsequent development of resistant varieties;
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The laboratory of Phytopathology in the new laboratory complex is equipped with vacuum evaporator for drying of plant material and low speed centrifuge at 5000 rpm. An invert microscope, equipped with phase contrast condenser for observation of living material as nematodes, tissue cultures, bacteria and fungi is available. There is also a possibility for installation of fluorescent microscope attachment. A transmission microscope for routine observations is also available.
Entomology
and radiobiology
The laboratory compartments are equipped for:
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small scale rearing of insect pests for research purposes;
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studying of relationships between insects in the agrocenoses at individual and at population level;
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studies on migration processes and calamities;
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virus transmission studies and research on virus-vector relationships;
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testing of insecticides;
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investigations on the formation of resistance in pests to some of the applied insecticides;
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bioecological studies on field rodents and development of proper control measures;
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The laboratory of radiobiology and physiology of insects is equipped
for:
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studies on the physiology of insects;
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radiobiological studies of insect pests for the means of radiation disinfestation and development of programs, integrating gamma- radiation effects as an alternative to chemical control;
The laboratory disposes of a gamma-irradiator with radioactive source Cobalt-60, type MPX-g-25M (selfprotected version with situated in a circle sources) in air medium. |
The laboratory of entomology in the new laboratory complex is provided with new optical equipment, including light transmission microscope with interferent contrast (good differentiation for black and white objects), equipped with digital photographic camera DP 70 (12 mega pixels) with the necessary software for image improvement and SPSS with possibility for own data base creation. The microscope allows measurement of curves, surfaces and light intensity, and installation of fluorescent microscope attachment.
Herbology
The laboratory compartments are equipped for research in:
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biology of weeds and competitive relationships between weeds and cultivated crops;
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resistance to basic herbicides;
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effects of herbicides on the environment;
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development of environmental friendly integrated programs for plant protection;
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Plant Quarantine
The laboratory compartments are equipped for:
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identification and investigation of bioecology and diagnostics of quarantine objects (viruses, bacteria, fungi, weeds and pests);
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elaboration of measures for prevention of the penetration of quarantine pests and limitation or elimination of already established ones;
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pest risk analysis;
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The laboratory of nematology of the Department of Quarantine, situated in the new Scientific Unit, is equipped with two Oostenbrink elutriators, used for extraction of live nematodes from soil. This system allows for highly reproducible results. The laboratory is also equipped with a low-speed centrifuge for isolation of larvae.
Virology
The laboratory compartments are equipped for:
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identification of economically important viruses;
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identification of new plant viruses;
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development of methods for purification of viruses and production of antiserums;
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adaptation of methods for serological, electron microscope and molecular diagnostics;
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epidemiology and vector control;
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production of virus free seedlings and planting material;
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investigation for sources of resistance;
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The laboratory disposes of spectrophotometer PAY UNICAM SP6-550 and ELIZA RIDER SUMAL PE CARL ZEISS JENA. |
Toxicology
Laboratories are equipped for:
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evaluation of pesticide behaviour in plants and in the environment;
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development of analytical methods for determination of pesticide residues in plants, soil and water;
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hygienic and ecological assessment of new pesticides and technologies for plant protection;
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monitoring studies on the pollution of soil, water and plant production with pesticides and development of methods for control;
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analysis of mycotoxins;
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The new laboratory complex is equipped with:
HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatographer) – the system has lots of applications, including separation, identification, purification and determination of quantities of different components. The liquid chromatography is analytical technique for separation of organic and inorganic compounds in biological, pharmaceutical, nutritious, industrial and other samples.
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Equipment
- GC with ECD/NPD, HP 5890II series The electron capture detector responds sensitively to compounds having an affinity for electrons as organic compounds containing oxygen, nitrogen and mostly halogen atoms. This detector possesses a relative sensitivity up to 106 for some poly-halogenated compounds compared with hydrocarbons. The Nitrogen-Phosphorus detector is used for determination of nitrogen and phosphorus-containing organic substances.
- GC–MS, Finnigan Trace GC ultra equipped with Finnigan Trace DSQ mass spectrometry detector with electron ionization. This type of equipment is wide applicable in control laboratories for precise qualitative and quantitative determination of chemical substances with different nature and molecular mass up to 1050 amu. The method is destructive and the compounds identify by comparison of the mass number and intensity distribution of fragments appeared with library ones.
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Biological
and integrated plant protection
The laboratory compartments are equipped for:
- investigation of taxonomy and bionomy of entomophages,
acarophages and entomopathogens;
- investigation of bioactive substances and possibilities
for their application in the control of insect pests;
- development of environmental friendly integrated pest
management;
- investigation of the side effects of pesticides on
entomophages, acarophages and entomopathogens;
- rearing of entomophages and acarophages and production
of biopreparations for laboratory studies.
Modern optical technique Olympus with à system for digital image has
been purchased recently.
A liquid chromatographer system ThermoQuest with PDA Survayor, RA/HPLC/01,
will soon be delivered in the institute and available for use from all
laboratories.
Laboratories of molecular diagnostics
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Laboratories are equipped for:
Serological diagnostics of plant viruses
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Analysis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) – PCR
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Qualitative and Quantitative determination of oligonucleotides, nucleic acids and proteins
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Southern, Northern and Western blot
Equipment:
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Spectrophotometer
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Safety cabinet – class II
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Thermal cycler
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Hybridization oven
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Vertical and horizontal gel electrophoresis units
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UV – Trans illuminator with documentation system
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Centrifuge 1 – 15 K rpm with refrigeration
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Top table centrifuge
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pH meter
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Heating block
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Water bath
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