The room's main task is to assist Institute staff and postgraduate students in organizing and conducting molecular-genetic research where this is part of their work plans, and with the funding needed to purchase consumables. Where joint projects and funding are available, research may be carried out with the participation of staff or postgraduate students from other institutions, regardless of departmental affiliation.
The room carries out contract work involving molecular-genetic analyses for zoological research and for the examination (species identification) of zoological material.
Room staff also conduct research on independent topics.
The room is equipped to extract DNA from biological samples using various methods appropriate to the task and material type; to amplify the required genome regions; to assess (or analyze, depending on the task) PCR results by electrophoresis; to determine the nucleotide sequences of amplified regions, to determine the allelic composition of microsatellite loci, and to detect single nucleotide substitutions by Sanger sequencing (AB3130 and 3500 sequencers); and to carry out the full range of operations for analyzing multicopy DNA regions by cloning.
The room does not conduct research related to the diagnosis or study of pathogenic microorganisms and viruses.