Professor Robert Hasterok, PhD, DSc

Current position: leader of the Plant Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Group (since 2020) and full professor (since 2012) at the Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
Tel (landline): +48 32 2009 571, Tel (mobile): +48 505 114 613, E-mail: robert.hasterok@us.edu.pl

• Molecular cytogenetics
• Brachypodium as a model genus to study the organisation of the grass nuclear genome at the cytomolecular level
• Karyotype structure and evolution
• Chromosome domain and territory arrangement at interphase 
• Genome-specific 35S ribosomal DNA inactivation („nucleolar dominance”)
• Cytogenetics of meiosis
• Nuclear genome instability after mutagenic treatment

• University of Palermo, Trapani, Italy (HEU project annual meeting: 2025)
• Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy (short research visit: 2024)
• University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece (HEU project annual meeting: 2024)
• Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, University de Jaén, Jaén, Spain (HEU project kickoff meeting: 2023; field trip: 2022)
• Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, Japan (short research and teaching visit: 2019)
• Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (short research and teaching visit: 2018)
• Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China (short research and teaching visit: 2018)
• University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia (short teaching visit: 2018)
• Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Namik Kemal Universitesi, Tekirdag, Turkey (short research visits and Erasmus+ STA mobilities: 2018, 2017, 2016)
• Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia (Erasmus+ STA mobilities: 2019, 2017)
• Departamento de Agricultura y Economia Agraria, Escuela Politecnica Superior de Huesca, Universidad de Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain (short research visits and LLP Erasmus/Erasmus+ STA mobilities: 2017, 2013, 2011)
• Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom (short research visits: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014)
• Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden (short research visit: 2016)
• Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences & Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia (KFU funded grant for short research and teaching visit: 2015)
• Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Namik Kemal Universitesi, Tekirdag, Turkey (Scientific and Research Council of Turkey – TUBITAK grant for short research and teaching visits: 2015, 2014)
• Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom (Project „Zwiększenie udziału osób dorosłych w kształceniu w zakresie narzędzi informatycznych i technologii NITKA” funded by POKL EFS: 2014)
• Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Namik Kemal Universitesi, Tekirdag, Turkey (LLP Erasmus STA mobilities: 2016, 2013)
• Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom (LLP Erasmus STA mobilities: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009; LLP Erasmus STT mobility: 2010)
• Agricultural Research Institute of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Martonvasar, Hungary (short research visits: 2013, 2011, 2010)
• Plant Genetics and Breeding Department, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Plas Gogerddan, United Kingdom (IGER funded project: 2008)
• Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden (SLU funded grant for short research visits: 2008, 2006, 2005)
• Plant Genetics and Breeding Department, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, United Kingdom (IGER funded project for short research visits: 2008, 2007, 2005)
• ISIS International Fellowships Scheme. Plant Cell Signalling, Genetics and Metabolomics Group, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Aberystwyth / Cell Biology Department, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, United Kingdom (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Project: 2004, 2003)
• Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden (Einar and Inga Nillsons Foundation Grant: 2004, 2003)
• Plant Cell Signalling, Genetics and Metabolomics Group, IBS, University of Wales Aberystwyth, United Kingdom (Royal Society Joint Project: 2002, 2001
• Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden (Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Grant: 2002)
• Cell Genetics Group, University of Wales Aberystwyth, IBS, United Kingdom (NATO/Royal Society long-term postdoctoral fellowship: 1999-2000)
• Cell Genetics Group, University of Wales Aberystwyth, IBS, United Kingdom (Tempus JEP 12037-97 short research mobility: 1998)

• Cytomolecular and structural analyses of the plant genome. Source of funding: Ministry of Science and Higher Education (state budget funds assigned for statutory activity)
• The soil biodiversity and functionality of Mediterranean olive groves: a holistic analysis of the influence of management on olive oil quality and safety (SOIL O-LIVE). Source of funding: Horizon Europe, HORIZON-MISS-2021-SOIL-02 call, project ID: 101091255 (2023-2027)
• Cytomolecular analysis of key aspects of nuclear genome organisation in the polyploid grass Brachypodium hybridum and its evolutionary ancestors. Source of funding: National Science Centre Poland, OPUS-16 general project 2018/31/B/NZ3/01761 (2019-2025)
• Targeting the genetic drivers of beneficial interactions between Brachypodium distachyon and endophytic bacteria. Source of funding: National Science Centre Poland, PRELUDIUM-16 predoctoral project 2018/31/N/NZ1/01418 supervision (2019-2023)
• Linking intraspecific and intergenerational phenomic diversity of Brachypodium distachyon genotypes collected from the wild with other multi-omic variations in driving adaptation to drought. Source of funding: Horizon 2020 / European Plant Phenotyping Network 2020, project ID: 25 (2018-2021)
• Integrative genomic characterization of the Brachypodium polyploid model to unravel bases of success of polyploidy in flowering plants. Source of funding: Joint Genome Institute – United States Department of Energy, Community Science Program, project ID: 503504/FP00006675 (2018-2022)
• Comparing genetic and epigenetic variation in a model grass Brachypodium distachyon in driving adaptation to distinct natural environments. Source of funding: National Science Centre Poland, HARMONIA-7 international collaboration project 2015/18/M/NZ2/00394 (2016-2021)
• CDKG/Ph1: is there a common process that regulates genomic stability in the grass species? Source of funding: National Science Centre Poland, HARMONIA-6 international collaboration project 2014/14/M/NZ2/00519 (2015-2019)
• Plant nuclear genome – its structure, dynamics and evolution from the cytomolecular perspective. Source of funding: National Science Centre Poland, MAESTRO-2 advanced researcher project 2012/04/A/NZ3/00572 (2012-2018)
• Cytomolecular insight into Lupinus genomes. Source of funding: National Science Centre Poland, OPUS-2 general project 2011/03/B/NZ2/01420 (2012-2015)
• Cytomolecular analysis of epigenetic modifications in grass genomes. Source of funding: National Science Centre Poland, OPUS-1 general project 2011/01/B/NZ3/00177 (2011-2014)
• Cytomolecular study of nuclear genome of Brachypodium distachyon and its relatives. Source of funding: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, individual research project N N303 570738 (2010-2013)
• Mobile elements organisation in the genome and evolution of grasses and cereals. Source of funding: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, individual research project N N303 569538 (2010-2013)
• Cytogenetic and molecular study of Renner complexes in the genus Rhoeo (Commelinaceae). Source of funding: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, individual research project N N301 11632/4008 (2007-2009)
• Molecular cytogenetic analysis of Brachypodium distachyon – a new model organism for cereals and forage grasses. Source of funding: Ministry of Education and Science, individual research project 2 PO4C 012 30 (2006-2009)
• Comparative genomics in a new model grass. Project in collaboration with the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Aberystwyth, United Kingdom. Source of funding: BBSRC/UWA/IGER (2003-2004)
• Mutagenesis and physical mapping of genes in crops with small chromosomes. Source of funding: International Atomic Energy Agency (2002-2006)
• Molecular cytogenetic study of the genome structure in the genus Brassica. Source of funding: Ministry of Scientific Research and Information Technology, individual research project 3 PO4C 013 22 (2002-2005)
• Chromosome mapping in a model grass. Project in collaboration with the Cell Genetics Group, University of Wales Aberystwyth, United Kingdom. Source of funding: Royal Society Joint Project/UWA (2001-2003)
• Restructuring the genome of rye. Project in collaboration with the Cell Genetics Group, University of Wales Aberystwyth, United Kingdom. Source of funding: NATO/Royal Society (1999-2000)
• Molecular cytogenetic investigations of selected species of Brassicaceae family. Source of funding: State Committee for Scientific Research, individual research project 6 P04C 066 13 (1997-2000)

• PhD student seminars and supervision of PhD projects (supervised 11 completed and defended doctoral dissertations)

• National Prize of the Minister of Science and Higher Education for academic teachers for research performance (2011)
• Stefan Barbacki Prize of the Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences (2001)
• Pro Scientia and Arte Award for artistic and scientific achievements, University of Silesia in Katowice (2024)
• Special Individual Prize of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice for research project activity (2017)
• Special Team Prize of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice for research project activity (2019)
• Individual Prize of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice for research activity (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2016, 2013, 2007, 2004, 1999)
• Individual Prize of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice for international collaboration (2024)
• Team Prize of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice for research activity (2018, 2014, 2011, 2006)
• Stipend of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice for research activity (2017, 2011, 2010, 2007)
• DSc stipend of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice (2005-2006)
• The Prize of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice for organisational activity (2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009)
• Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection Student Union award for the best lecturer (2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009)
• Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection Student Union award for the best practical demonstrator (2007, 2006)
• The Prize of the Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice and Research Council of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection for outstanding MSc alumni (1994)