Hykollari/Smith/Burger Group

The research working groups at the FIWI and KLIVV institutes of the VetMed University in Vienna, investigate a wide range of topics related to the needs and behaviour of wild animals in ecological, conservation, evolutionary, and forensic contexts. This creates a scientific basis for efficient species and environmental protection and for the sustainable use of multifunctional landscapes. The close cooperation between scientists from different disciplines, such as biology, veterinary medicine, genetics and biochemistry, is a particular strength of our scientific interdisciplinary environment. We apply a wide variety of methods to fulfil our research goals; from simple observation to detailed chemical analysis and molecular biology.

Our standard laboratory work based on genetic and biochemical methods relies on procedures, that usually require sterile disposable consumables. As a result, we will try to efficiently collect and separate our plastic waste to enable proper recycling. Where applicable, we will try to reduce plastic consumables, by replacing them with glass vials (e. g., for organic solutions or lipid extraction procedures).

Another attempt toward more green laboratories will be to investigate possibilities to reduce energy consumption (e. g., by turning off non-essential equipment overnight or over the weekend).  By joining the Green Labs initiative, we aim to contribute to the university’s Sustainability Goals (SDGs).