IFA Tulln

In its research, the Institute for Biotechnology in Plant Production focuses on basic and applied research in the areas plant breeding, plant genetics and phytopathology. The logical overlaps between these topics are plant-pathogen interaction, genetics of disease resistance and breeding research for disease resistance. The institute almost exclusively performs its own research work on agricultural crop plants.

The research focuses on the utilization of natural resources as well as of idle waste material for reinforcements of polymers or for use as thermoplastic matrices. The main processing technologies used in composites- production are extrusion and injection moulding. To a lesser content the Institute also applies compression moulding.

The Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) is aiming to perform cutting edge scientific research and to develop advanced methods in the field of (bio)analytical chemistry. The CAC with its two Christian Doppler Laboratories is pursuing a highly interdisciplinary approach for the determination of chemical contaminants including mycotoxins and allergenic proteins in food. By employing metabolomics based approaches the CAC studies entire biological systems with a special emphasis on plant-fungi interactions.

There are five research groups within the Institute:

• Metabolomics and Bioactive Substances
• Mycotoxins and Mycotoxin Metabolism
• Immunoanalytics and Food Allergens
• Water Analysis and Quality Assurance Systems
• Molecular Diagnostics

Focus of research activities at the Institute for Environmental Biotechnology is given to the application of microbial metabolism to safeguard the quality of life and preserve natural resources. On the one hand, emphasis is put on degradation or detoxification of pollutants (in soil, water and waste) or the development of monitoring methods to evaluate the success of restoration technologies. On the other hand, the best possible utilization of existing resources by establishment of sustainable material cycles is the central aim of research conducted. Practical application and process development for technical implementation are a primary concern independent from fundamental investigation of the underlying microbiological activities. Examples are the scale up of fermentation processes, the development of technical remediation methods and the testing of innovative combined biological-physical processes (e.g. use of membrane bioprocesses) in environmental technology.

There are 6 research groups established at the Institute for Environmental Biotechnology:

• Anaerobic digestion (biogas)
• Contaminated land management
• Feed additives
• Fermentation and pilot plant
• Microbiology (incl. molecular biology) and
• Water and wastewater treatment

With respect to methodological and research competence at the department IFA Tulln the institute for Biotechnology in Animal Production concentrates on advanced tissue culture technologies for the in vitro production of embryos. There are three research groups at the Institute for Biotechnology in Animal Production

• Proteomics of Gametes Maternal Interaction
• Genetics of mtDNA
• In vitro Production of Embryos

The Institute of Animal Nutrition, Products, and Nutrition Physiology (APN) represents the start of the supply chain of food of animal origin. It focuses on adequate feeding of agricultural livestock and the significant impact of animal nutrition on quality and safety of primary products, such as milk, meat and eggs. Aside from nutrients, special emphasis is paid on secondary effects of feed and feed/food components on digestion, metabolism and health.

The Institute has condensed its mission and structure towards three intrinsic topics:

• animal nutrition
• animal products
• nutrition physiology