The Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology (BIOZ) was founded by the Presidential Decree 1971/10-9-2009. BIOZ evolved from a multi-disciplinary research group originally established to concentrate on research of animal genetics, to elucidate the functional and ecological benefits of genetic polymorphism at the organism and population level and to use the fruits of the research for the development of possible applications.
The research activities of BIOZ span all levels of biological organization, ranging from the isolation, characterization and evolution of genes to genetic polymorphism and species phylogenesis, to the identification of the functional impact of genetic variation and across species comparisons. Taking advantage of its geographic location, the members of BIOZ mostly use animal species with a commercial interest as research models. This strategy, adopted early in BIOZ, has led to a series of diagnostic applications and the development of tight collaborations with the private sector that uses the services and consultation of ΒΙΟΖ. Taking into consideration the methodological approaches, the scientific questions and the final applications, research activities of BIOZ fall within four major axes: Biodiversity, Genetics in Sustainable Production, Human Disorders and Traceability.
To increase its research competitiveness, BIOZ has developed a network of national and international collaborators while participating in COST Actions, ESF Research Networking Programmes, National Science and Technology Platforms. Research funding has been secured through the applications developed, participation in competitive research projects and the departmental MSc programmes. The overall BIOZ research publications are numbered in 90 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and numerous contributions in national and international conferences.
Research excellence is a priority for BIOZ members, but a deep commitment to quality teaching and mentorship is an equally important hallmark of our group. The members of GeCEB teach the core undergraduate courses of Introduction to Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Evolution, Cell Signalling and Transduction, Molecular Basis of Genetic Diseases as well as the optional courses of Molecular Ecology and Principles of Neural Science and Behaviour. Moreover, they are strongly involved in the teaching of postgraduate courses in four MSc Program of Studies.