We are dedicated to exploring the complex interactions between plants and microorganisms, with a particular focus on fungi. We study the diversity, ecological niches, and trophic preferences of both plant and fungal species, examining their evolutionary adaptations, enzymatic and metabolic activities, and other biological traits. Our approach is centered on understanding how individual species interact within ecosystems, using fungal and plant profiles to assess ecosystem functionality. We are especially interested in how these interactions shift in response to changing environmental conditions, and how they can be linked to broader global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable agriculture. By combining molecular ecology, systematics, and ecological theory, we aim to better understand the ecological roles of fungal species and their responses to ecological stressors, providing valuable insights into ecosystem dynamics and informing conservation and land management strategies.
We places a strong emphasis on the career development of young researchers by involving them in the department’s main project challenges and supporting their international study, research, and post-doctoral stays.
The staff manage and actively build a collection of fungi, including lichens, which is part of the herbarium and collections of CBRB SAV, v. v. i., with the acronym SAV.
Laboratory of molecular ecology and mycology (MEM)
Laboratory of Molecular ecology and mycology (MEM) deals with functional diversity and interaction of fungi with other components of the environment. Fundamental requirement to understand processes in biological ecosystems is the knowledge of species evolution, phylogeny and adaptations. The laboratory has a tradition in taxonomic and phylogenetic research of fungi. Bioclimatic data are used to link fungal phylogeny with spatial distribution and ecological requirements of pathogenic and mycorrhizal fungal species. Taxonomic knowledge is implemented in metabarcoding studies of fungal communities using environmental DNA. Functional traits of individual fungal species are used to study responses of fungal communities to various ecological factors. The laboratory combines methods of advanced light microscopy, DNA extractions from single organism tissues and environmental DNA, phylogenetic analyses, metabarcoding bioinformatics, cultivations of pure fungal cultures and tracing of microbial enzymatic activities.
Evolutionary mechanisms and environmental interactions (EMEI)
We explore green plants and fungi, specifically lichenized ones, in a broader evolutionary context. We explore the evolutionary processes that shape the diversity of these organisms as well as their populations, with a particular focus on how they have adapted to different environmental conditions across time and space. Utilizing molecular tools, the group investigates the genetic and ecological drivers behind species formation and distribution. Our research emphasizes understanding the complex interactions between environmental factors and evolutionary processes that influence the adaptation of plants and fungi. By studying the genetic basis of speciation and ecological adaptation, we aim to uncover patterns of evolution that are distinct from those observed in vascular plants, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.