G-BiKE: New European Network working on Genomic Biodiversity for Resilient Ecosystems

From September 4th to 6th, 2019, the Society for Genetic Conservation of B&H endemic and autochthonous resources „Genofond“ and the University of Sarajevo-Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology will host a series of events within the new COST project Genomic BIodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-Bike, CA18134).

Project an interesting acronym - G-BIKE is a research network within Horizon 2020 COST Programme that will link scientists and practitioners across the EU and beyond, highlighting the importance of genetic and genomic tools in biodiversity conservation.

The main challenge is to establish the use of genomic data as a standard tool for monitoring and managing plants and animal species in order to ensure their persistence, and the continued supply of nature-based ecosystem services.

As the acronym itself refers to a bicycle, the basic idea of a project is to link two „wheels“, one that represents scientists and the other made of all those who directly implement ecosystem protection programs.

The project started at G-BiKE’s Kick-Off meeting in Brussels on 8th March 2019, with the participation of 45 scientists from 27 European countries. Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina in this project are Emina Šunje, MA (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, UNSA), Adi Habul, MSc (Environmental Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina), Belma Kalamujić Stroil, Ph.D. (Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, UNSA) and Branislav Cvjetković, Ph.D. (Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka).

The action program is divided into five thematic units that are operationally organized as working groups. The team from Bosnia and Herzegovina will participate in the work of the group whose main focus is the dissemination of knowledge on genetic diversity and adaptive ecosystem capacities in the wider European public, beyond the typical communities of scientists and practitioners. The activities of this group include the organization of educational events in zoological and botanical gardens, development of citizen-scientist concept, creation of online educational material (videos, webinars, animated films), promotion of multidisciplinary approach to environmental issues through involvement of artists and journalists and communication with EU and national bodies responsible for environmental issues.

The Chair and Scientific Representative of G-BiKE was elected as Dr. Cristiano Vernesi from Fondazione Edmund Mach (Italy), while the representative of B&H, Belma Kalamujić Stroil was appointed as the leader of the working group 5 “Knowledge Sharing”.

The project currently includes 32 countries from Europe and will run until May 2023.

www.cost.eu


1st Southeast European Ichthyological Conference (SEEIC 2017)

The Faculty of Science and Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INGEB), under the auspices of University of Sarajevo, organize the 1st Southeast European Ichthyological Conference (SEEIC 2017). The conference will be held from September 27 to 29, 2017 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. SEEIC is honoring the first European Congress of Ichthyology held in Sarajevo in 1973 and it will be dedicated to the life and work of the esteemed ichthyologist and expert, late professor dr. Tonko Šoljan.

SEEIC 2017 provides an ideal opportunity for researchers from the Southeast Europe or those who are interested in the region’s ichthyofauna to meet and share their research findings, ideas and proposals. Scientists, students, managers, decision-makers and other ichthyology and fisheries professionals are invited to participate in this event.

The oral and poster presentations covering topics on History of ichthyology, Taxonomy and systematic, Biodiversity and conservation, Molecular biology and Fisheries and aquaculture will be taken into consideration for the conference program. The peer-reviewed full-text papers from the conference will be published in the journals Acta Adriatica (marine ecosystems) and the Croatian Journal of Fisheries (freshwater ecosystems).

We cordially invite you to save the date and join us in Sarajevo in September 2017. All conference related information (including registration, abstract submission and accommodation booking) can be found at https://www.seeic.eu/.

 

Quarry Life Award 2016: Semir Dorić and Adnan Čučković won the national competition

Semir Dorić, MA, research assistant of the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and Adnan Čučković are the winners of the national competition „Quarry Life Award 2016“. The competition is organized and funded by HeidelbergCement in 22 countries worldwide. The project „Macrozoobenthos as biodiversity and habitat quality indicator of quarry ribnica’s hydroecosystems” won the first place and was awarded 10,000 BAM. The project was the outcome of nine-month long study that demonstrated the method of water quality and biodiversity assessment at the quarry. The study also revealed high degree of water purity at Ribnica Quarry.

The project entered international competition which will be awarded on 8 December 2016 in Brussels. Certainly, the gratitude of Mother Nature is the greatest reward!

See more:

http://www.fena.ba/article/898221/adnan-cucukovic-i-semir-doric-prvo-mjesto-u-takmicenju-zivi-svijet-kamenoloma

http://kakanj-x.com/zivi-svijet-kamenoloma-2016-u-kaknju-proglaseni-bih-pobjednici/

http://kaportal.ba/zivi-svijet-kamenoloma-2016-u-kaknju-proglaseni-bih-pobjednici/

 

Memorandum of Cooperation between INGEB and Sports Institute signed in Sarajevo

On the 9th November 2016, Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and Sports Institute of The Faculty of Sports and Physical Education of University of Sarajevo. The signatories to the Memorandum are prof. dr. Naris Pojskić, the Director of INGEB, prof. dr. Safet Kapo, the Director of Sports Institute and prof. dr. Nusret Smajlović, the Faculty Dean.

The purpose behind the Memorandum is furthering the cooperation and better utilization of research capacities of both the Faculty and INGEB. The Rector of University of Sarajevo, prof. dr. Rifat Škrijelj, who attended the ceremony, stated that broadening and improvement of research activities are some of major strategic goals of University development.

The Memorandum will enable multidisciplinary approach to early identification of children predisposed for excellence in various sports as well as introduction of objective selection. Researchers will act in the frame of multidisciplinary research group „SportGen“, which mainly consists of junior academic staff.

 

INGEB contributed to 5th Croatian Botanical Symposium with international participation

5th Croatian Botanical Symposium with international participation took place on 22-25 September 2016 in Primošten (Croatia). INGEB researchers: Naida Lojo-Kadrić, PhD, Lejla Lasić, MSc, Maida Hadžić, MA and Anesa Ahatović, MA, contributed two poster presentations.

 

INGEB's researcher attended Goldrain Course in Clinical Cytogenetics

Anja Haverić, PhD, research associate, attended Goldrain Course in Clinical Cytogenetics that was jointly organized by Zurich University and European Cytogeneticists Association. The Course took place in Goldrain, South Tyrol, Italy, in the period 27 August – 3 September 2016.  

 

INGEB's researcher attended Course „Innovative Cell Therapies in the Hematologic-Oncology“

Sanin Haverić, PhD, senior research associate, attended Course „Innovative Cell Therapies in the Hematologic-Oncology" that was organized by Turkish Academy of Science. The course took place in Antalya, Turkey, in the period 19-22 May 2016.

 

INGEB participation in COST Action BM 1106 - Genetics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Prof Lejla Pojskić, PhD, Scientific Advisor and Naida Lojo-Kadrić, PhD, Research Associate activelly participated in COST Action BM1106 GENIEUR project (Genetics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS) which lasted from September 2012 to April 2016. The final conference was held in Heidelberg, Germany on 13-16 March 2016. Within the project, two of INGEB research assistants attended training school „Molecular Methods in IBS Research: genetics, epigenetics and microbiota research“. An introductory lecture „Mendelian traits vs. complex genetics“ was delivered by our prof. Lejla Pojskić, PhD.