EEL_LAB
Extreme Environments Life Laboratory (EEL)
The Extreme Environments Life Laboratory (EEL) is a part of CzechPolar project framework – i.e. facilities serving for the research related to Antarctica, James Ross Island in particular. In general sense, it is established to investigate responses of extremophilic polar organisms, autotrophic lichens, algae and cyanobacteria in particular to environmental stressors. The main research directions are: (1) stress physiology of extremophilic autotrophs from polar regions, such as cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and mosses. (2) optimization of cultivation techniques of Antarctic autotrophs, (3) responses of polar algae, cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses to ongoing climate changes, atmospheric warming and ozone hole in particular, (4) collection and taxonomy of autotrophs from Antarctica.
EEL Working Groups
Stress physiology of
Antarctic Autotrophs (WG1)
| Internal team: |
Miloš Barták
(team leader) Kateřina Balarinová Petra Očenášová |
Antarctic Autotrophs Taxonomy and Ecology (WG2)
| Internal team: |
Kateřina Skácelová
(team leader) Kateřina Trnková Barbora Pilařová |
Low
and Freezing Temperature (WG3)
| Internal team: |
Josef Hájek
(team leader) Daniela Gaiduschová Jana Hazdrová |
Collection of Autotrophs, their Cultivation and Productivity Potential
(WG4)
| Internal team: |
Peter Váczi
(team leader) Luděk Sehnal Tomáš Zavřel |
Radiation biology of Antarctic Autotrophs (WG5)
| Internal team: |
Jana Hazdrová
(team leader) Kateřina Skácelová Kateřina Lehká |
EEL Laboratory – Extreme Environments Life Laboratory
The aim of EEL laboratory is to study
extremophilic organisms living under marginal conditions in Antarctic
ecosystems and their analogues. The laboratory represents a specialized
biological laboratory designed for research of structure and function of
biological entities in extreme Earth conditions, particularly in polar
regions.
EEL Mission
(1) Education (several teaching courses for undergraduate students as well as Ph.D. theses at the Masaryk University, Brno and other Czech universities) and young scientists tuition.
(2) Scientific information sharing service (an international scientific journal, Czech Polar Reports and publication of monograph about Antarctica for general scientific community were/are issued under the RI’s activities), membership and interactions with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) is guaranteed.
(3) Scientific workshops and meetings devoted to Antarctic sciences.
(4) Popularization of Antarctic research as well
as general issues for professionals and for general public in diverse
media or at social networks.
EEL Fields of Expertise
Advanced chlorophyll fluorescence methods for the stress study of Antarctic autotrophic extremophiles.
UV-B radiation resistance assessment of photothrophs.
Multi-methodological approach for biological activity assessment of Antarctic autotrophs.
Cryoresistance assessment of Antarctic lichen symbiotic algae and cyanobacteria.
Photobioreactor experiments with extremophilic autotrophs.
Isolation and cultivation of Antarctic autotrophic extremophiles.
Taxonomical determination of Antarctic microbial communities.
List of Instruments available at EEL
|
Double-Modulation Fluorometer |
PSI, CZ |
|
Laboratory FluorCam |
PSI, CZ |
|
Handy FluorCam |
PSI, CZ |
|
Fluorometer PAM-2000 |
Walz, SRN |
|
Field minitoring fluorometer Moni PAM |
Walz, Germany |
|
LI-1400 Datalogger |
LI-COR, USA |
|
ADC Gas Analyser |
ADC, UK |
|
HPLC - Waters |
USA |
|
Con Brio Peltier Units |
ConBrio, CZ |
|
PhotoBio Reactors |
PSI, CZ |
|
Phytoscope Cultivators |
PSI, CZ |
|
Kryo-Planner |
PLANER, UK |
|
Dataloggers |
EMS, CZ |
|
Cross gradient Cultivatos |
Labio, CZ |
|
DeepFreezer |
Whirpool, USA |
|
Oxygen electrode fiel set |
WTW, Germany |
|
Microptode Meter |
Unisense, DK |
|
Spectral reflectometer (PRI, NDVI) |
PSI, CZ |
Some of the above-mentioned instruments are shared with the Plant Photosynthetic Processes Laboratory (Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Brno)
EEL-Photogallery
For more info see webpage EEL.