| Trieda SNP 1, 040 11 Košice | ||
The predecessor of the present-day Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJŠ FM)—the Biological Institute of the Faculty of Medicine, UPJŠ—was established in 1950.
In 1957, it became an independent department conducting research on the biological effects of ionizing radiation.
In 1963, the Department of Biology was incorporated into the newly founded Faculty of Science, UPJŠ, while retaining all teaching responsibilities at the Faculty of Medicine.
The Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, UPJŠ was re-established in 1986 through the merger of two original departments: Medical Biology and Medical Biophysics. Following the reorganization of university institutes and clinics in 1990, the Department of Biophysics became a separate unit once again.
In its early years, the Department of Medical Biology focused primarily on studying the genetic effects of physical and chemical factors present in both environmental and occupational settings. Within the field of radiation genetics, researchers investigated the impact of long-term exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on mammalian and human cells. Another key area of research in radiation cytogenetics involved examining the adaptive response of human peripheral lymphocytes following low-dose irradiation.
The department also explored the mutagenic and carcinogenic risks associated with chemical agents in the workplace, with particular attention to two groups of compounds: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Additionally, one of the research priorities included prenatal diagnostics of genetically determined disorders.
With the establishment of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory in 1995, the Institute gained favorable conditions for the modernization of research in molecular biology and genetics.
Today, the department actively collaborates on several research projects with clinics at the L. Pasteur University Hospital in Košice, as well as with the East Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. These partnerships foster interdisciplinary research and contribute to the advancement of clinical applications in genetics, diagnostics, and cardiovascular medicine.
Heads of the Department:
- prof. MUDr. Milan Praslička, DrSc.
- prof. RNDr. Ivan Kalina, DrSc.
- prof. RNDr. Ján Šalagovič, PhD.
- assoc. prof. RNDr. Peter Solár, PhD.
At present, the Head of the Department is
prof. RNDr. Janka Vašková, PhD.
In 2008, prof. RNDr. Ivan Kalina, DrSc. received the Košice City Award and the Rector’s Award of UPJŠ in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of science, supervision and mentorship of doctoral students, associate professors, and professors in the field of biology and related disciplines, as well as for his successful participation in national and international research grants.
His close cooperation with clinical departments enabled their active involvement in basic research and facilitated the practical application of research findings.
