Staff
Gunārs Lācis, Ph D
(head of unit)
Dr. biol. Ineta Samsone
M. biol. Irita Kota
Activities
Coordination of the preservation, documentation and research of fruit plant genetic resources
Laboratory of molecular biology
Unit of genetics and molecular biology
The unit was established on the base of the Laboratory of molecular biology which is a new structure at the Institute, and started its independent activities in 2006.
Main tasks and lines of activity:
Coordination of the preservation,
documentation and research of fruit plant genetic resources
Establishment of the scientific and theoretical basis for the research
of heredity mechanism of fruit plants and studies of the breeding
material using methods of molecular genetics.
Development of the theoretical and methodical basis for the
introduction of methods of molecular genetics into breeding, working out
and introducing onto practical breeding methods for the determination of
economically important traits.
Research:
Database of the Latvian woody plant genetic resources is developed in
the framework of ERAF co-funded project “Development of a Latvian
databank for woody plants”.
Genotyping of fruit plants has started using microsatellite (SSR)
markers for the valuation of genetic variability.
Introduction and development of molecular markers for traits
important in breeding has started with the aim of speeding up the
breeding process.
Complex genetic research of raspberries, black currants and
seabuckthorn grown in Latvia has started in the framework of State
research program „Innovative technologies for the development of
high-value, safe and healthy food products from genetically,
physiologically and biochemically various plant and animal material”
project „High-value Latvian berries: from cultivar to high-quality,
healthy and safe product” (2006 - 2009).
Work has been started on genetic studies of genus Ribes berry
plants (black, red and white currant, gooseberries) in the framework of
the research project
"RIBESCO - Core collection of Northern European gene pool of Ribes".
Coperation:
Institute of Biology, University of
Latvia - application of methods of quantitative genetics
Centre of Latvia Genetic Resources -
use of molecular markers, data analysis
Riga Technical University - development of a database system for genetic resources