The Department of Digestive Tract Physiology focuses mainly on basic research of digestive and metabolic processes in various livestock species, with an emphasis on microbial, molecular, and physiological mechanisms. The department involves three laboratories – Nutrition and Digestion, Animal Microbiology, and Microbial Genetics – enabling an interdisciplinary approach and comprehensive study of interactions among the animal organism, feed, and gut microbiome. Research aims at improving nutrient utilization efficiency and reducing the environmental impact from livestock production. The research includes the selection and study of beneficial microbiota producing postbiotic substances and/or bacteriocins which, together with bioactive compounds of natural origin have the potential to reduce antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This approach integrates insights from cellular and molecular biology with applied strategies for sustainable livestock management.
