“The reconstruction will primarily allow us to expand the premises so that we are ready for the infrastructure development that we would like to implement in the coming years. The increase in floor space has also made it possible to set up a new research group, RG Intelligent Nanoengineering, led by Dr. Ju, which fits very closely with the research concept of the institute. I have no doubt at all that the renovation will have a stimulating effect not only on the research but also on the teaching activities of the Institute,” said Zbyněk Heger, Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Office space has been added on an additional floor, which will allow for a significant improvement in the working conditions of male and female employees. Two new classrooms will make teaching more comfortable. “As for the technical premises, I must mention the two new chemical warehouses, which are equipped with all the necessary modern safety features. From the laboratory point of view, I would definitely mention the specialised basement space for electron microscopy or the facilities for working with laboratory rodents equipped with cutting-edge technologies for monitoring and controlling environmental conditions. However, all the laboratories have undergone reconstruction and now meet all the parameters for quality and safe scientific work and teaching,” the scientist listed.

“A major benefit of the reconstruction is that it was possible to design the internal layout of the laboratories specifically for the purpose, so that the space is equipped with technologies and safety features that meet the demanding needs of 21st century scientific work. Thanks to the reconstruction, the department has also acquired new representative teaching spaces equipped with modern audiovisual technology, which I hope will be appreciated by both teachers and students,” said Heger. The building also includes two newly built laboratories that will serve as rental spaces for the development of start-up or spin-off companies emerging at the institute. “Both are already booked and I hope that thanks to them we will be able to help emerging companies as an institute to accelerate the transfer of technology into practice,” he explained.

“The total cost of the reconstruction amounted to CZK 219 million, excluding VAT.Eighty-five percent of the financing was provided through the Development and Renovation of the Material and Technical Basis of Public Universities programme of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and fifteen percent from the Capital Asset Replacement Fund of Mendel University in Brno,” said Tomáš Fila, head of the Operations Department.

Within its seven research groups, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry covers a wide range of interconnected key areas such as nanotechnology, bioanalytical chemistry, algal and plant biotechnology and, last but not least, experimental microbial and animal biochemistry and molecular biology. “In the more than 100 years of the institute’s existence, the building has been remodelled several times, and not in a very coordinated way. As a result, many of the premises were unsuitable for the activities for which they were used,” summarised the reason for the renovation by the head of the department.