Head of the department:
Alla Mariutsa
Ph.D of Agricultural Sciences, Senior Research Scientist
mobile: +38 098 448-87-25
e-mail (head): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The department was created in 2006 with a goal to conduct the studies on the genetic structure of the populations of different fish species with the use of novel technologies. It is equipped with modern equipment and currently investigates the genetic structure formation dynamics in different breeds of fish of aquatic ecosystems.

The importance of the department activities is related to the necessity of the application of molecular-genetic methods that allows controlling the movement of genetic information in breeds and intrabreed groups, detecting their specific peculiarities as well as studying the peculiarities of fish populations when introducing them to new regions.

The methodology of the department supposes the application of genetic-biochemical systems, DNA markers, cytogenetic analysis and biochemical methods.

Major areas of the department activities:

1. monitoring studies on the genetic structure control and cytogenetic analysis of the pedigree stocks of valuable fish species for the rational use of their gene pool;
2. studies of the genetic structure specificity of different fish species;
3. studies of the mechanisms of the formation of gene complex associations of different ecologo-geographic regions of Ukraine;
4. development of the scientific bases for the monitoring of the genetic components in aquatic ecosystems;
5. development of effective methods for the identification of the genetic structure of individual fish species populations in inland water bodies of different types;
6. conservation of ecological equilibrium and biodiversity on species and breed levels;
7. studies of the genotoxic effect of the environment;
8. improvement and approbation of genetic methods in fish selection;
9. study of the genetic structure of rare and endangered fish species populations;
10. study of the peculiarities of the formation of pedigree stocks and populations of different fish species by using a complex approach such as: genetic-biochemical systems, DNA markers (SSR, ISSR), cytogenetic analysis, biochemical studies;
11. use of real time PCR method for the determination of GMO content in fish products and feeds of different compositions;
12. study of the mechanisms of cytogenetic abnormality formation in different fish species.

Propositions of services for individuals and legal entities:

• molecular-genetic, cytogenetic, biochemical analysis of the pedigree material of different fish species;
• solving the problems of the heterozygosis level correction in fish populations;
• solving the problems of the consolidation of breeds and intrabreed groups;
• use of genomic selection elements when forming the genofond stocks of aquaculture objects with the desired productivity parameters.

Study results:

Selected the most informative molecular-genetic markers for long-term population-genetic control in agrosystems;

Performed an analysis and study of the formation specificity of the genetic structure on individual carp breeds and intrabreed types;

Determined the degree of intrabreed conservatism by the individual microsatellite sequences of nuclear DNA in carp of different geneses;

Developed scientific-methodical approached for the correction of population-genetic structure of fish pedigree stocks that contributes to the selective process optimization;

Developed methodical approaches of the detection of the most informative parameters of chromosomal apparatus stability in fish;

Developed a way to determine the genetic apparatus stability in cyprinids.

Head of the Laboratory:
Natalia Matvienko
Professor, Dr (HP)
mob. +38(063)628-34-17
e-mail (head): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The department has been created with an ultimate goal of the scientific support of food safety in Ukraine and for the creation of conditions for stabilizing and increasing the production of high quality fish products by preventing fish diseases.

The importance of the department consists in the necessity for the assessment of the epizootic state of water bodies and selection of fish species for rearing in the conditions of aquaculture of Ukraine. Last several years, a significant success has been achieved in the field of the study of fish viral diseases. The processes of aquaculture intensification suppose implementation of new techniques, including: use of polyculture, increase of fish stocking density, introduction and acclimatization of new aquaculture objects, application of high nutrient feeds and immunostimulators as well as transportation of fish from one fish farms to others located in different geographical and climatic zones with typical ecosystems. The causal relationship of such activities is occurrence of new fish diseases, which often are not typical for the given region or fish farm.

Activities of the department include comprehensive studies aimed at disease diagnostics and development of appropriate treatment and curative measures. The studies are carried out using conventional ichthyopathological, microbiological, virological and aquaculture methods.

Major areas of the department activities:

1. development of scientific basis and methodology for monitoring of infectious and invasive fish diseases in conditions of aquaculture and inland water bodies of Ukraine;
2. determination of the nature of fish diseases registered in the surveyed fish farms and water bodies of Ukraine, establishment of their etiology, clinical signs and patho-morphological changes in fish organisms;
3. development of early diagnostics methods for fish diseases, which are most common in aquaculture and inland water bodies of Ukraine;
4. search for the most effective and economically justified methods of the prevention of fish diseases of different etiologies;
5. approbation and introduction of new preventive and treatment drugs in aquaculture;
6. studying the effects of drugs on physiological and immunological parameters of fish organism.

Propositions of services for individuals and legal entities:

• diagnostics of fish diseases of different etiologies;
• examination of fish seeds (during stocking to rearing ponds or when transferring to wintering ponds);
• scientifically justified development of a complex of preventive and treatment measures adapted for specific fish culture facility including for closed water supply systems;
• consulting services on preventive treatment of fish and application of treatment and preventive drugs in aquaculture;
• visits of specialists to fish farms for performing complex ichthyopathological studies;
• organization of the observance of aquaculture-technological and veterinary-sanitary requirements by fish farms in the process of hydrobiont rearing.

The department has a permit of the Kyiv Regime Commission to work with causative agents of the III-IV groups of pathogenicity during virological, bacteriological and parasitic studies as well as an attestation at the SE “Ukrmetrteststandart”