Project title:
Biological Network: Exploring Biodiversity through Genes, Species, and Ecosystems
Acronym: BIOGVEK
Project identifier: IP-UNIST-43
Type of project: Research Project
Funding body: European Union (NextGenerationEU) under the Croatian Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021–2026 (NRRP), through the University of Split institutional project approved by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia.
Project duration: October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2029.
Summary
Thanks to its geographical location, diverse climate, and geomorphological features, the Republic of Croatia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in Europe. The conservation and protection of biodiversity are among the main prerequisites for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include the sustainable use and management of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. To encompass broader biological research across genes, species, and ecosystems, the BIOGVEK project is divided into three work packages (WP): WP1 – Reprogramming of plant tissue development triggered by external effectors; WP2 – Biodiversity of Mediterranean plant species and their biological potential; and WP3 – Population dynamics and molecular systematics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The project will involve field research in natural habitats, genetic identification of collected samples, and bioinformatic, molecular, and cytogenetic studies. Analyses will be conducted using a systems biology approach by integrating anatomical and morphological analyses, developmental biology, and multi-omic profiling. Phytochemistry and biological activity of selected Mediterranean plant species will be studied to assess the potential of bioactive plant substances, which are a promising green alternative to the excessive use of substances of synthetic origin. The project will also examine changes in the abundance and structure of selected animal populations in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as the specificities of populations of particularly economically important marine species. The goal is to better understand the ecological processes that shape these systems and ensure their protection.