Research facilities

The molecular lab contains equipment for DNA/RNA isolation, cloning, and sequencing, including thermal cyclers, DNA/RNA quantification/quality assessment/imaging systems, two capillary sequencers for Sanger sequencing and fingerprinting (AFLP, SSR), and equipment for NGS library preparation.

The microscope and cytogenetic labs are equipped with several high-end light and fluorescence microscopes and flow cytometers.

The equipment of the phytochemistry lab comprises HPLC (with UV/VIS-diode array, evaporative light scattering (ELSD) and fluorescence detectors), TLC, CC, and MPLC for profiling of plant extracts and for isolation of secondary metabolites, and smaller equipment for bioassays (antifungal, insecticidal properties).

The Herbarium of the Department is estimated to contain about 1,400.000 specimens covering all plant groups worldwide. Further details can be found in the printed version of the Index Herbariorum ed. 8 (HOLMGREN & al., 1990) and at the corresponding website

We also contribute to biodiversity information with a focus on collection management and data acquisition and digitalization of herbarium samples and living plants; establishing an international network of collections – the Virtual Herbaria; integration of data in national and international biodiversity networks, e.g., GBIF and GBIF-Austria, and “Europäisches Kulturportal”.