The 2011 Miroslav Zei Award for Exceptional Achievements in the Field of the Activities of the National Institute of Biology

Biotechnological Hub of the NIB (BTH-NIB)

The purpose of the investment project BTH-NIB is the assurance of the appropriate infrastructural conditions for the use of research and developmental opportunities in the fields of operation of the NIB.

Play Video About project      Publication

The 2011 Miroslav Zei Award for Exceptional Achievements in the Field of the Activities of the National Institute of Biology

Submit to FacebookSubmit to Google PlusSubmit to TwitterSubmit to LinkedInPrint me
The 2011 Miroslav Zei Award for Exceptional Achievements in the Field of the Activities of the National Institute of Biology was presented to Professor Dr. Jurij Piškur and Assistant Professor Dr. Rade Injac.

The main research fields of Prof. Dr. Jurij Piškur, full professor of molecular genetics at the Department of Biology at the University of Lund in Sweden cover metabolism of nucleic acid precursors, genetic treatment, comparative genomics and molecular evolution of yeasts. In the past 5 years Prof.Piškur published 46 articles out of a total of more than 120, among which also publications in the most respected scientific journals. Some of his discoveries were patented, he is co-author of three books and co-founder of three spin-off biotechnological companies. A special acknowledgement of his research achievements is his 2005 election to the Royal Fisiographic Society in Lund, one of the Swedish royal academies. Although Professor Piškur has lived and scientifically worked abroad for over 25 years, he has maintained professional and personal contacts with his home country. Since 2010, he has been active in the Committee for Science of the Council for Slovenes Abroad as a consulting body of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Since 2009, he has been co-operating with the laboratory for microbiology of the Maritime Biology Station of the National Institute of Biology in the field of research of maritime microorganisms in adapting to modified environmental factors. With his innovative scientific approach and use of the latest pharmacological and analysis methods assistant professor

Assist. Prof. Dr. Rade Injac managed to prove a potential use of fulerenol as an organ-protective agent in the therapy of cancer diseases with doxyrubicine. His work has set foundations for numerous further research of pharmacological applicability of fulerenols and made an important step towards implementation of active ingredients of this type in medical practice. His scientific research is excellent, which is shown in 34 scientific articles in the past five years, which have been quoted more than 240 times. His knowledge of pharmaceutical technology is reflected in four international patent applications.


Prof. Dr. Jurij Piškur (
Photo:: Jernej Polajnar)


Assist. Prof. Dr. Rade Injac (Photo: Jernej Polajnar)