Das Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
ist ein Forschungsmuseum der Leibniz Gemeinschaft
Link zur Leibnizgemeinschaft
It is planned to undertake 1) a comprehensive upgrade of research infrastructure in the molecular ecology laboratory at ISU, and 2) a joint research investigation of biodiversity and refugial areas in the Caucasus region. Improvements to research infrastructure will provide modern biotechnology to researchers in the Caucasus region, including next generation sequencing (NGS) and real time PCR. Currently, these technologies are not available to scientists in the region working on biodiversity and species conservation. Because the laboratory also serves as a teaching facility providing training to students and researchers, this enhanced research capacity will also have a large impact on the technical training available to Georgian students and scientists. The research undertaken in this joint venture will foster ongoing collaboration between the partners, and provide opportunities for continuing exploration of biodiversity in the Caucasus, a recognized biodiversity hotspot. The targeted research contained within this proposal will explore cryptic refugial areas within the Caucasus, to test hypotheses about the historical provenance of the extraordinarily high levels of species endemism in the region.
Prof. David Tarkhnishvili - Ilia State University: Institute of Ecology (director), head of the research program of quantitative ecology; School of Natural Sciences and Engineering (dean)
Prof. Cort Anderson - Ilia State University: Institute of Applied Genetics, full professor, head of DNA laboratory
3/5 Cholokashvili Avenue, Tbilisi, 0162, Georgia
Geldgeber: VW-Stiftung