The list of international projects SAS
Institute of Parasitology
The beaver's legacy: A look at ecosystem impacts in Italy and Slovakia
Dedičstvo bobra: vplyvy na ekosystém v Taliansku a na Slovensku
Small Mammals and Parasites: Emerging zoonotic and tick-borne pathogens in the era of global changes.
Drobné cicavce a parazity: Novo sa objavujúce zoonózne a kliešťami prenášané patogény v ére globálnych zmien.
Assessing parasite diversity and host-parasite relationships in crustacean hosts to control bioinvasion and ensure environmental and public health.
Hodnotenie diverzity parazitov a vzťahov medzi hostiteľom a parazitom u kôrovcov s cieľom kontrolovať bioinváziu a zabezpečiť ochranu životného prostredia a verejného zdravia.
| Duration: |
1.9.2025 - 31.8.2028 |
| Program: |
Seal of Excelence |
| Project leader: |
prof. HDR. MSc. Sarabeev Volodimir PhD. |
| Annotation: | Rising levels of transportation, increased globalization, and ongoing climate change have dramatically accelerated the global spread of species, with no indication of this trend abating. The main current challenge associated with alien species is the lack of comprehensive data to explain resistance or recovery from bioinvasions. The project will provide the theoretical basis to struggle against bioinvasions by using nature's tools that will open a new way of ecosystem management. The research centres on both invasive and native higher freshwater crustaceans in Slovakia, specifically gammarids (scuds) and decapods (crayfish). There are two-fold aims: a) to assess diversity of parasites and zoonotic agents in crustaceans using both morphological and molecular methodologies; b) to evaluate the influence of parasites on the structure of wildlife communities through the application of the macroecological framework. The specific objectives are as follows: a) to sample native and invasive populations of gammarids and decapods from Slovakian waters and screen these specimens for parasitic infections; b) to provide well-documented records of identified crustacean parasites based on an integration of morphological and molecular data; c) to conduct molecular screening for zoonotic pathogens; d) to develop host-parasite and parasite-host databases; e) to perform comparative analyses of the resulting data using a macroecological framework to elucidate host-parasite relationships within invaded ecosystems. A key outcome of the project will be a comprehensive inventory of the current parasite diversity among native and invasive crustacean hosts, utilising modern microscopic and molecular techniques. By screening crustaceans for zoonotic agents, the project will investigate their potential role in disseminating human pathogens within aquatic environments. This research is fully aligned with the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which emphasises the management of invasive alien species. |
One Health drugs against parasitic vector borne diseases in Europe and beyond
Jednotné nové lieky proti parazitickým ochoreniam prenášaných vektormi v Európe a iných územiach
National Centre for Biotechnology in Veterinary Medicine
Národné Centrum Biotechnológií vo Veterinárnej Medicíne
| Duration: |
1.1.2023 - 31.12.2028 |
| Program: |
Other |
| Project leader: |
prof. MVDr. Várady Marián DrSc. |
| Annotation: | The aim of the project is to build a long-term base of applied research, through the concentration of research capacities of 7 research organizations in the field of biotechnology in veterinary medicine, animal production and related fields. The impact of the project is to ensure the sustainable production of quality and safe food of animal origin in terms of implementing policies to reduce antibiotic consumption, improve the welfare of farmed animals, maintain biodiversity in the landscape and the principles of circular economy. The results generated in the project in the form of new or innovative products or services should increase the competitiveness of the participating companies. During 6 years of the project min. 30 sub-projects is planned with expected min. 35 innovative outputs. |
Parasitological aspects of introduced hosts in water ecosystems.
Parazitologické aspekty introdukovaných hostiteľov vo vodných ekosystémoch.
| Duration: |
1.10.2025 - 31.7.2026 |
| Program: |
International Visegrad Fund (IVF) |
| Project leader: |
prof. HDR. MSc. Sarabeev Volodimir PhD. |
| Annotation: | This study focuses on the taxonomy and diversity of parasites in native and invasive freshwater crustaceans
(Amphipoda: Gammaridae) to better understand parasite-mediated ecosystem dynamics and contribute to
environmental monitoring and conservation biology. Field surveys of parasites from 8,920 gammarids were
conducted across 38 localities in Slovakia, Poland, and France between 2020 and 2024, as part of previous and
ongoing projects. This project will build on that work by performing comparative genetic, morphological and
macroecological analyses. |
Tick-borne pathogens of horses in Poland and Slovakia
Vektormi prenášané patogény koní v Poľsku a na Slovensku
| Duration: |
1.1.2025 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
Mobility |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Víchová Bronislava PhD. |
| Annotation: | The project aims at the molecular study of the presence and diversity of vector-borne pathogens (Babesia, Theileria, Trypanosoma spp., and bacteria Hepatozoon, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Bartonella spp.) of horses in Poland and Slovakia. Comparison of the data and epizootiological situation between the neighboring countries with an intense social and economic interconnection. The aim of the study are molecular epidemiological survey and genetic analysis of vector-borne pathogens of horses in Poland and Slovakia, and thesewill be achieved through the following tasks:
1. Identification of the spectrum and evaluation of the prevalence of pathogens responsilbe for infections in horses. In particular, genomic DNA samples will be screened for the presence of protozoa of the genera Babesia, Theileria, Trypanosoma spp., and bacteria Hepatozoon, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Bartonella. The study will be conducted in crossborder area of both countries. Genetic variability of pathogens and/or strains will be evaluated.
|
Environmental impact of anthelmintics in livestock and alternatives to minimize their use (ENVIRANT)
Vplyv anthelmintík na životné prostredie v chovoch hospodárskych zvierat a alternatívy minimalizácie ich používania (ENVIRANT)
| Duration: |
10.10.2024 - 9.10.2028 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
prof. MVDr. Várady Marián DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Pasture-based animal production systems play a vital role in promoting sustainable farming practices in Europe. These systems rely on grass grazing as an affordable feed source on the farm. However, these systems have certain disadvantages, particularly concerning animal health since grazing livestock are very susceptible to infections caused by helminth parasites. These infections can impose a substantial economic burden on the food production system and the most commonly used method for their control is the administration of anthelmintic drugs. However, these drugs have been considered recently emerging contaminants because their presence in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems poses significant environmental risks. Under this context, the objective of ENVIRNAT is to advance, consolidate and disseminate research and knowledge on the environmental occurrence and ecological impact of anthelmintics administered to livestock and to propose more sustainable practices and methods to minimize their use in the control of helminth infections. This Action aims to (i) to monitor the sale, use and efficacy of anthelmintics in European livestock farming; (ii) to investigate factors related to farming practices, the environment and climatic conditions that favour the persistence of anthelmintics in the environment; (iii) to assess the impact of anthelmintic residues on ecosystems; (iv) to develop sustainable methods to reduce the use of anthelmintics in a variety of European settings; (v) to conduct socio-psychological research on barriers that may arise in the implementation of sustainable methods; (vi) to model the impact of anthelmintic use, considering both animal health benefits and ecosystem risks through benefit-risk assessment. |
The total number of projects: 8
