The National Institute of Biology has been operating and developing since 1960. It is a public research institution with the mission of creating new knowledge in the field of biology and enabling higher quality of life on Earth on the basis of findings from performed research.

The Institute consists of five research departments:

• The research work of the Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology is concentrated on tree topics: omics, microorganisms and genetically modified organisms. Our employees work in national and international projects and projects for industry and other applicants and use excellent equipment of the instrumental Centre Planta. Research derived knowledge was a base for establishment of first NIB spin-off company - Biosistemika.

• At the Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology the research is being carried out in ecotoxicology, genetic toxicology and cancer biology. Within the framework of these basic fields we investigate the water ecosystems and the pollution effects, the damages of genetic material and the origin and development of cancer diseases.

• The Department of Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecosystems Research covers five research fields, i.e. investigation of freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, the influence of antropogenic factors on the environment and taxonomy of some groups of organisms.

• Department of Entomology - Our team has its research focus on fundamentals of insect biology. Specific interests are directed to communication processes at the behavioural and neuronal level, comparative and and evolutionary neurobiology, influences of diseases on the behaviour and physiology and to population genetics.

• As a part of the NIB, the Marine Biology Station is the only institution for marine research and monitoring of sea - water quality in Slovenia. Research groups of the MBS pursue research in the fields of physical, chemical and biological oceanography.

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Annual Report 2011