The Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IEB) was founded in 1962. Today, it has 14 laboratories located in two cities, Prague and Olomouc, and a breeding station in Střížovice, 70 km northeast of Prague.

The institute primarily conducts basic research in plant biology, namely in plant genetics, physiology, phytopathology and biotechnology. However, IEB is also active in applied research.

In plant genetics, the projects are focused on molecular genetics of pollen and on plant functional genomics.

Physiological investigations include hormonal and ecological control of plant growth and development, mechanisms of transport and action of growth regulators, physiology of plant viruses, and plant pathophysiology.

In biotechnology, the institute investigates the design and preparation of edible vaccines from plants and mechanisms of phytoremediation.

Some projects are aimed at practical applications. For example, studies of plant hormones resulted in the synthesis of compounds which delay skin aging or show promising cytostatic effects.

IEB is also very successful in the breeding of apple trees resistant to fungal diseases.

The institute collaborates with many research institutions and universities in Czechia as well as in other countries. IEB researchers teach at several Czech universities and students from these universities work on their master and doctoral theses in the institute.

You can find more details about our current research in a scientific report that summarises the activities of our institute from 2018 to 2020.