Genetics and Biotechnology Research Group

RESEARCH GROUP LEADER: Erzsébet Kiss CSc., professor

CONTACT: Kiss.Erzsebet@mkk.szie.hu

RESEARCH GROUP MEMBERS:
Professor: 3
Associate professor: 1
Assistant professor: 3
Research fellow: 2
Assistant: 2
PhD student: 4

RESEARCH AREAS:
Molecular marker applications: Identification and application of molecular markers for genotyping various plant species (e.g. grape, strawberry, black locust, tomato, cherry, sour cherry, willow, apples and rapeseed); Marker assisted selection (nematode resistance in tomato; powdery and downy mildew resistance in grape, male sterility in rapeseed, colour variants in grape, apple and cauliflower); Molecular taxonomy of  Adonis and toad flax species.
Genomics, functional genomics: Isolation, cloning and functional genomic characterization of ripening-specific genes and powdery mildew inducible genes in strawberry and grape, respectively; Modification of ethylene biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism of carnation; Proving gene functions and study of gene expression via stable and transient systems (genetic transformation, reporter genes, model and cultivated plants) and q-PCR technique.
Archeogenetic research: study of molecular diversity of common millet, melon, watermelon, compared to archaeological samples.
Plant micropropagation, cell and tissue culture: micropropagation of horticultural and woody species (carnation, cauliflower, apple, strawberry, poplar, black locust, Paulownia).
Classical plant breeding: variety comparisons in plot experiments with different species (e.g. wheat, maize, soybean).

MEMBERSHIPS:
Hungarian Genetical Society
Hungarian Biological Society
Association of Hungarian Plant Breeders
Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology of HAS
Committee of Gene Technology, Ministry of Rural Development
Federation of Technical and Scientific Societies
International Society for Plant Molecular Biology
International Society for Horticultural Science
International Association for Plant Biotechnology
EUCARPIA European Association for Research on Plant Breeding

LONG-TERM COLLABORATIONS:
University of Pécs, Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Viticulture and Enology, Hungary
Corvinus University of Budapest, Institute of Viticulture and Enology, Department of Viticulture, Hungary
Corvinus University of Budapest, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Hungary
University of Pannonia, Georgikon Faculty, Keszthely, Hungary
Centre for Agricultural Research of HAS, Martonvásár, Hungary
University of Debrecen, Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economic Sciences, Research Institute of Nyíregyháza, Hungary
Syngenta Ltd., Hungary
Cereal Research Non-Profit Ltd., Szeged, Hungary
Holland Alma, Ltd., Piricse, Hungary
Research and Extension Center for Fruit Growing, non-profit co., Újfehértó, Hungary
Research Institute for Fruit Growing and Ornamentals of Érd, non-profit co., Hungary
Research Institute for Fruit Growing of Fertőd, non-profit co., Sarród, Hungary
Agricultural Biotechnology Center, Gödöllő, Hungary
French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), France
Missouri State University, USA
American Biographical Institute

SERVICES:
determination of DNA fingerprints;
molecular analysis (PCR, SSR, ISSR, qPCR)
marker assisted selection
chromosome analysis
gene expression analysis
virus elimination of vegetatively propagated plants
in vitro plant micropropagation
variety trials in small-plot field experiments

GRANTS: