October 11, 2022 – Oikon has established a new laboratory – the Laboratory for Biodiversity and Population Genetics, which began operations this month. One of the goals of the laboratory is to contribute to the compilation of DNA barcodes of known and newly discovered plant and animal species, to increase the level of knowledge about the natural heritage of Croatia, the region and the world, and to contribute to its effective protection. The goal is to research and develop tests for environmental DNA to identify species that reveal water, soil and air quality.
Complementary approaches at the genomic, ecological and environmental levels will be used in the laboratory to support newly discovered findings. The application of the research that will be conducted in the laboratory is in sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, water and wildlife management, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture.
The goal of the OIKON Institute to research biodiversity is aligned with the EU Strategy for Biodiversity. The Oikon Institute of Applied Ecology’s goal to research biodiversity and population genetics is in line with the EU Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation until 2030, which includes the conservation of genetic diversity (Inclusion of Genetic Diversity in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework: Scientific and Technical Knowledge). Research on genetic diversity will contribute to Goal 2 of the EU Strategy: reducing direct pressure on nature and promoting sustainable use of natural assets, as well as Goal 2.4 of the Nature Protection Strategy and Action Plan of the Republic of Croatia for the period 2017-2025: protection of genetic diversity and sustainable use of genetic resources.
The head of the Laboratory is Jelena Mlinarec Novosel, PhD.
