Institute of Physics and Biophysics

Institute of Physics and Biophysics

Who are we?

The institute was founded with the establishment of the Faculty of Science, which builds on traditional studies of biophysics of the former Faculty of Biology and expands the range of other physically based fields.

What do we do and for whom?

We provide training in accredited bachelor's and master's programs.

The department staff are responsible for dealing with GA CR and ME grants, they collaborate with other universities (UJEP, UK), ASCR institutes (ICHP, AI) and foreign partners (Germany, USA, Sweden).

The main directions of research activities are:

  • biophysics of photosynthesis (natural and artificial), molecular spectroscopy

  • experimental physics of low-temperature plasma, deposition of thin and nanostructured surfaces

  • electronics, signal processing, audio-visual equipment

  • computer modeling (liquids, surfaces, biomolecules, plasma, atmosphere)

  • astronomy and astrophysics, plasma astrophysics, solar physics - particle, hybrid and MHD computer simulation

  • modeling of the atmosphere and climate, physical parameterization of climate models.

Why do we exist?

The Institute guarantees the bachelor study of physics, physics education, biophysics and measuring and computing and the master’s study of biophysics and teaching of physics for secondary schools.

What are our aims?

Our goal is to ensure educational and scientific development in the areas of experimental biophysics (optical laboratory), plasma physics, surfaces and thin layers (experimentally and theoretically), computer modeling and applied electrical engineering (measuring and control technology, audiovisual equipment).

In the field of applied physics and electrical engineering we strive for closer cooperation with the manufacturing sector. This effort is included in the forthcoming master program applied measuring and computing.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31a,

České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: +420 387 772 218
Fax:
E-mail:
Web:
http://ufy.prf.jcu.cz/

Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Who are we?

The Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry is a research and educational unit of the Faculty of Science of the University of South Bohemia in the České Budějovice. The education of students takes place in the bachelor’s and master’s courses in Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Chemistry Education and Teaching Chemistry for Secondary Schools. An integral part of the work of the institute is also the research activity which is closely linked with the quality education of students.

What do we do and for whom?

The research activities of the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry are largely linked to the biological disciplines traditionally cultivated at the USB Faculty of Science or at the institutes of the Biology Centre of the ASCR. In addition, it also develops projects to interface with other natural science disciplines at the faculty such as physics, mathematics or computer science. Research at the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry can be divided into several groups: Environmental chemistry, structural biochemistry, biophysical chemistry and nanotechnology

Why do we exist?

The mission of the institute is to develop chemical fields at USB FS, mostly in conjunction with classical and modern biological disciplines that USB FS has built over a long time. The institute educates professionals educated in chemical fields both for the academic sector and the commercial sector or the public sector. In addition to training, the institute also ensures the training of future chemistry teachers for secondary schools in combination with other natural science disciplines.

What are our aims?

The USB Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry should ensure the education of specialists in chemical disciplines with an emphasis on interdisciplinary education at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the long term.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31a,

České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: +420 387 775 533
Fax:
E-mail:
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Web:
http://uch.prf.jcu.cz/

Department of Molecular Biology

Department of Molecular Biology

Who are we?

The DMB provides training of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students in a broad spectrum of molecular biology. It tries to conduct the highest quality research on the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic cells.

What do we do and for whom?

The DMB is dedicated to preparing students for a career as a molecular biologist, both in applied and basic research in medicine and biology, as well as with a focus on molecular diagnostics.

It is currently made up of 13 separate laboratories (Bruce lab, Doležel lab, Doležal lab, Jindra lab, Kotsyfakis lab, Krejčí lab, Lazar lab, Lukeš lab, Masako lab, Oborník lab, Šauman lab, Sobotka lab a Zíková lab) mainly located in České Budějovice., but also in Třeboň (Sobotka lab) and Nové Hrady (Lazar lab). The focus of each laboratory is on a specialized area in an extremely wide range of contemporary molecular biology. The common denominator of most of the laboratories of our department is work on model organisms, because it is through them that our cognition of the complexity of unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes is so dynamic.

Another common denominator is the demanding requirements for students of all levels, as it concerns team work, costly research, which aims to produce "cutting-edge" science. In a number of laboratories, English is used for communication.

Why do we exist?

The goal is to train senior researchers at the international level from the best students. All members of the department have extensive international experience and lead research teams. A common feature of master's and doctoral projects is the conducted functional analysis of genes in different model organisms.

What are our aims?

There is no big secret that the most important and most dynamic field of modern biology is molecular biology. The goal of our department is to be a leader in the field, by which we do not mean the Czech Republic, but on the international scale. For this reason, we have students and scholars from around the world in our laboratories. We believe that there will be motivated students from all levels from the USB Faculty of Science, who will always have (and a difficult, but very fun and exciting) an interest in participating. Our long-term goal is to create the best possible conditions for them.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31

37005, České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: 387775416
Fax:
E-mail:
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Web:
http://kmb.prf.jcu.cz/cs

Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics

Department of Genetics

Department of Genetics

Who are we?

The Department guarantees Master's degree programs in experimental biology (specialization in genetics and genetic engineering) and the doctoral field molecular and cellular biology and genetics.

The department develops scientific activities in collaboration with the Institute of Plant Molecular Biology BC of the ASCR, the Institute of Entomology BC of the ASCR, the Institute of Parasitology BC of the ASCR, and the South Bohemian University Faculty of Agriculture in the fields of molecular genetics and cytogenetics of plants and animals.

What do we do and for whom?

The department educates and trains bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree students studying genetics or genetic engineering for research activities. On account of their qualifying work, students are directly involved in research, thereby gaining new skills, experience and mastering methods at the highest possible level. The tasks they work on fall mostly within the category of basic research, but in some cases with possible early application potential (e.g. research of plant nucleases and their potential in medicine in the treatment of cancer or the development and modification of transformation methods for transgensis plants).

Why do we exist?

The Department of Genetics (DGN) of the USB Faculty of Science is involved in ensuring the field of study Biology and the field of study Biomedical Laboratory Technology, the bachelor degree program BIOLOGY,the study program Biophysics (focused on the Preparation for the master's study of Biophysics) the bachelor degree program BIOPHYSICS and the field of study Caring for the environment (with a specialization in Management and decision-making in the environment and Monitoring and analysis in the environment) and the bachelor degree program ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

 

Under the master's degree program BIOLOGY, the department guarantees the study field Experimental biology, specializing in genetics and genetic engineering.

The department also guarantees together with the Department of Molecular Biology the study program Molecular and cell biology and genetics of the doctoral program MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY.

The department staff also provide teaching or participate in courses guaranteed by the Department of Molecular Biology. The Department of Genetics coordinates bachelor (dissertation) work focused on molecular genetics and the cytogenetics of plants, animals and humans and on transgensis plants.

What are our aims?

We want to keep the existing diversity of the offer of topics for theses students (evolution of multigene families, the use of genetic markers for solving taxonomic problems of selected arthropods, biology and evolution of the chromosomes of arthropods, organization of the plant genome, molecular diagnostics of plant viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas, antisense RNA in plants, transgenesis plants ) and expand the range of training courses to include some other ones (genetic toxicology, evolutionary genetics of animals), which should be useful for students from other departments.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31a,

České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: +420 387 775 515
Fax:
E-mail:
Web:
http://kgn.umbr.cas.cz/index.html

Laboratory of Ecology of Temperate Insects

Laboratory of Ecology of Temperate Insects

Characteristics

Contact information

University: University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Faculty:
Faculty of Science
Faculty:
Department of Zoology
Address:

Branišovská 31, České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: +420605430008
Fax:
E-mail:
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Web site:

Biological surveys of industrial habitats

Evaluation of the eco-efficiency of eco-farm subsidies

Eco-conservation assessment of a site

Determination of service of selected groups

 

Department of Zoology

Department of Zoology

Who are we?

The Department of Zoology of the USB Faculty of Science brings together small teams of experienced and prospective specialists in different zoological disciplines (evolutionary biology, ethology, ecology, ecophysiology, protection of fauna) and groups (butterflies, beetles, fish, amphibians, birds, mammals)

What do we do and for whom?

The Department of Zoology of the USB Faculty of Science provides instruction and research in the fields of: evolution, ecology and ethology of animals.

Our research activities are focused on the following topics: biology of the African underground rodents, population biology of mammals, ethology of mammals, primatology, ethology of birds, reproductive biology of birds, amphibian and reptile anatomy, evolution and biogeography of fish, phylogeny of animals, tropical ecology of invertebrates and vertebrates, ecophysiology of insects, ecology of butterflies, biology of ladybugs, species and habitat protection of invertebrates and vertebrates.

We are developing scientific activity in cooperation with the Institute of Entomology of the ASCR , the Institute of Hydrobiology of the ASCR , the Institute of Parasitology of the ASCR , the Institute of Soil Biology of the ASCR the Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the ASCR , the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the ASCR, the Department of Ethology of the Research Institute of Animal Production, v.v.i. , the Zoological Institute of the University of Essen the Department of Zoology of USB FS , the Ministry of the Environment of the CR.

We guarantee the master's degree programs in Zoology with a specialization in Vertebrate Zoology, Entomology, Animal Ecology, and doctoral fields of Zoology and Entomology. Coordinates bachelor’s dissertations focused on zoology. The Department of Zoology staff is involved in the implementation of the field Biology and the protection of organisms of interest guaranteed by the Department of Biological Disciplines of the USB Faculty of Agriculture.

Why do we exist?

The Department of Zoology of the USB Faculty of Science prepares professionals for public (Ministry of Environment of the CR, the management of national parks and protected areas, state and local governmental bodies, museums) in the civil (environmentally oriented NGOs) and private (firms engaged in the assessment of environmental impacts, land consolidation, land reclamation) spheres.

The basic research, which we carry out, contributes to the integration of the CR into the European and global scientific community, while also providing the transfer of the latest knowledge and its transmission to our students. Activities implemented in developing countries (New Guinea, Africa) contribute to solving some of the global problems (biodiversity conservation).

Applied research projects, which we participate in. We strive for the efficient use of resources expended for the conservation of nature (reclamation of mining areas, organic farming in grassland and forest ecosystems, species protection, the regulation of unwanted species).

What are our aims?

The Department of Zoology of the USB Faculty of Science should build on the existing successful scientific activity. In the field of basic research it primarily concerns the study of phylogeny and the evolution of selected animal groups (invertebrates, freshwater fish, rodents), the ethology and ecology of vertebrates (adaptation of underground mammals, cognitive abilities of mammals and birds), ecology of tropical communities (insects, birds). The applied research focuses on species (butterflies, mammals) and habitats (meadows, wetlands, military areas, quarries and dumps) of invertebrates and vertebrates. In teaching, the preparation of high school biology teachers will be a new direction.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31a,

České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: +420 389 022 253
Fax: +420 389 022 263
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web:
http://zoo.prf.jcu.cz/

Monitoring of birds

Leading of excursions for butterflies

Lectures on the ecology of butterflies and nature conservancy

 

Consultation on the determination of diurnal butterflies

Proposals for measures to create ecological gardens

Project proposals focusing on the study of ecology and diversity of butterflies

Laboratory of Ecology of Temperate Insects

 

Department of Parasitology

Department of Parasitology

Who are we?

The Department of Parasitology ensures the master's and doctoral program of parasitology. The research activity involves structural, ecological, biochemical phylogenetic and molecular aspects of the biology of parasites.

What do we do and for whom?

The department is dedicated to the professional training of students in the field of parasitology. It is targeted into several thematic areas:

Protistan and metazoan parasites in fish

This research has a long tradition associated with fish with several laboratories of the Institute of Parasitology of the ASCR. Most of the topics deal with microsporidia, myxozoa, amphizoic amoebae, tapeworms and parasitic trematodes in fish hosts. The research mainly deals with morphological and ultrastructural characteristics, the description of new species and clarifying their development cycles using techniques of molecular biology.

Medical and Veterinary Parasitology

The research deals with organisms causing so-called opportunistic infections, e.g. cryptosporidia and microsporidia. Using experimental and natural infections, it studies host susceptibility, host specificity, histopathological changes and other important parameters of these diseases.

Molecular biology of carriers

The aim of this theme is to analyze the molecular and cellular factors responsible for the interaction of the carrier with the host. Examples are components of salivary glands of ticks or the molecule α2-macrotubulin as a component of tick immunity. From an ecological and epidemiological point of view the immunological and genetic characterization of different strains of tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease agents are especially important.

Molecular phylogenetics and the evolution of parasites

Using molecular information it studies phylogenetic relationships and population structures within parasitic and symbiotic relationships. These analyses serve to clarify various issues of evolutionary parasitology, e.g. the role of host specificity and geographic distribution in the emergence of the parasite population structure or coevolutionary processes between parasites and hosts.

Why do we exist?

The department guarantees the master and doctoral field study program of parasitology. It coordinates the study programs and the qualification thesis of students of bachelor programs focusing on parasitology. It is developing scientific activity in the framework of cooperation between USB FS and the Parasitological Institute BC of the ASCR in the fields of biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, worms and arthropods and in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology of parasites.

What are our aims?

The Department of Parasitology will continue the development of existing research activities and will continue to be devoted to training students in the field of parasitology.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31

České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: 387775441
Fax:
E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web:
http://kpa.prf.jcu.cz/

Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors and Pathogens

Department of Animal Physiology

Department of Animal Physiology

Who are we?

The Department of Physiology was founded in 2000, originally as part of the USB Faculty of Biology. The main objective of the department is to educate students and their preparation for future practice and coordination of research activities in the field of animal physiology.

What do we do and for whom?

The department offers courses within the specialization of Animal Physiology. The scientific work of the department staff and the students led by them focuses on the study of metabolism and the development of invertebrates and vertebrates and ecological physiology. This study includes research on insect stress hormones and the characterization of their function in triggering anti-stress reactions, physiological research on adaptation to survive low temperatures and the role of circadian oscillators in regulating the daily rhythmicity of behavior and photoperiodism, and metabolism research in aquatic animals.

Why do we exist?

The department coordinates the study programs and dissertations of students of bachelor programs focusing on animal physiology. Furthermore it guarantees master's degree programs in Experimental Biology and the specialization of Animal Physiology and the doctoral field of study Physiology and Developmental Biology of Animals. It is developing its scientific activity in the areas of insect physiology and the fish physiology. It closely cooperates with the Institute of Entomology BC of the ASCR in České Budějovice.

What are our aims?

The aim of the department is to ensure the quality teaching of courses covering important areas of animal physiology, teach students to master the methodological background of the main trends in modern animal physiology and in the research area, to build upon the above mentioned projects.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31a,

České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.:
Fax:
+420 385 310 366
E-mail:
Web:
http://kfz.prf.jcu.cz/

Landscape Ecology Laboratory

Landscape Ecology Laboratory

Characteristics

Contact information

University: University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Faculty:
Faculty of Science
Department:
Department of Ecosystem Biology
Address:

Branišovská 31

370 05 České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: +420605430008
Fax:
E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web:
http://kbe.prf.jcu.cz/uvod

Processing of maps using GIS tools

Department of Ecosystem Biology

Department of Ecosystem Biology

Who are we?

The Department of Ecosystem Biology is a scientific and educational facility that provides instruction in ecological and hydrobiological fields, in which it also carries out research and expert services. Research is carried out in close cooperation with the ASCR institute and is focused on ecosystem processes, with an emphasis on the interaction of plant - soil - water. Graduate theses are drawn up here by students of all levels of study.

What do we do and for whom?

In close cooperation with Šumava NP, we ensure the bachelor’s degree course caring for the environment. Furthermore, together with Biology Centre ASCR, we are developing the field ecosystem biology and we are involved in the postgraduate education of students within the field ecosystem biology and ecosystem hydrobiology.

The main directions of research:

  • the circulation of substances in the watershed

  • the function and diversity of microbial communities in water and soil

  • study of fish communities in reservoirs

  • the impact of human activities on the ecosystems of wet meadows, peat bogs, mountain spruce forests and water reservoirs

  • stocks and the bioavailability of organic matter northern tundra soil.

Our research is carried out in the field, but the processing of samples is dependent on the well-equipped laboratories. During the search of causal dependencies, we conduct extensive laboratory experiments. We use traditional methods of ecological research, but also methods of molecular ecology and stable isotopes. Our research, which is conducted in close collaboration with the ASCR Institute and foreign workplaces, is supported by national funding agencies and the European Union.

At the same time we provide expert services in the field of conservation for Šumava National Park and the region of South Bohemia. We also strive to make our results available to the professional and general public.

Why do we exist?

Our main task is to educate in the fields caring for the environment, ecosystem biology and hydrobiology. We place emphasis on understanding the relationships and processes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and to understand the importance of the role of species diversity. We try to prepare graduates for work in science and research, but also for work in state administration and local governments, in consulting and expertise firms and in the non-profit sector in dealing with environmental issues.

The field caring for the environment is approved as equivalent to the requirements for special professional competence of employees of state and local governments in the field of nature and landscape protection.

The department cooperates with the Institute of Hydrobiology, the Institute of Soil Biology BC ASCR and the Třeboň workplace Institute of Botany in the fields of aquatic ecology and soil organisms, microbial ecology and the study of processes in soil water and wetland ecosystems disturbed by human activities.

What are our aims?

Our goal is to educate students in the field of caring for the environment so that they have a broad knowledge base in biological and environmental subjects and so that they are simultaneously able to understand the practical issues and environmental protection legislation. In all fields, we aim to educate students to be aware of the importance of the interactions in the system plant - soil - water and be able to connect and interpret the findings. We want our students to find jobs at home and abroad. Therefore, our aim is to develop quality research at the national and international level, where students have the opportunity to participate.

Where to find us?

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Contact information

Address:

Branišovská 31a,

České Budějovice

Registration No.: 60076658
Tel.: +420 387 772 361
Fax:
E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web:
http://kbe.prf.jcu.cz/uvod

Landscape Ecology Laboratory

Completed projects

The project supported from the Operational programme Research and Development for Innovations whose aim is the setting and opening the Centre of Transfer of Technologies with two mutually co-operating departments on the side of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice and on the side of the Biological Centre of The Czech Academy of Sciences.

Bridge4Innovation is a project of The University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, the South Bohemian Agency for Support of the Innovative Business and the Biological Centre of The Czech Academy of Sciences financed from the European Social Fund of the European Union.