Laboratory of Molecular, Cellular and Quantitative Genetics
Societal Relevance
Between 1993 and 1995, we set up a project entitled "Conservation and Use of Fish Genetic Resources in the Czech Republic." Since 1996, when the project began to be implemented, we have been its guarantor and coordinator within the National Program for the Conservation and Use of Animal Genetic Resources, established by the Ministry of Agriculture. Prof. Martin Flajšhans is a member of the Council for Farm Animal Genetic Resources at the national coordinator VÚŽV Uhříněves, v.v.i. Fish genetic resources should be considered a cultural and historical part of animal husbandry in the Czech lands, and the gene pool of fish breeds and lines, created by the activities of our predecessors, is part of the national heritage.
The members of the laboratory (Prof. Martin Flajšhans and Assoc.Prof. Martin Kocour) are long-standing active members of the Breeding Council for Fish Farming of the Fish Farmers´Association of the Czech Republic, which is responsible for the effective transfer of new knowledge in the field of genetics and reproduction into breeding practice, the introduction of promising breeds, populations and lines of economically important fish species, and methodically manages breeding work in fish farming. Prof. Martin Flajšhans has chaired this council since 1995 and, since 2001, in accordance with Act No. 154/2000 Coll. on breeding, reproduction, and registration of farm animals, he has held the position of chief breeder for the Czech Fish Farmers´Association.
The laboratory cooperates with Czech and Moravian commercial fish farming companies which are involved in breeding, performance testing, and breeding value estimation for common carp (Rybářství Hluboká cz s.r.o.; Klatovské rybářství a.s.; Rybníkářství Pohořelice a.s.; Rybářství Třeboň a.s.), tench (Rybářství Nové Hrady s.r.o.), rainbow trout (Klatovské rybářství a.s.) and burbot (Ryby-Vlček).
Laboratory staff also gives lectures at regular Food and Agriculture Organization seminars and organize professional training courses, workshops, and conferences intended for:
- productive fish farmers and anglers,
- students of fisheries,
- the general professional public.
The aim of these events is to familiarize participants with the latest findings in the field of fish genetics and breeding, with a wide range of potential applications from freshwater aquaculture production, including the protection of native breeds and gene banks towards conservation of fish biodiversity.
