Chemistry-Biology Faculty of Ternopil National Pedagogical University
From Foundations to Innovations
In the heart of Western Ukrainian education, in Ternopil, for more than eight decades, a scientific and pedagogical center has been thriving, preparing nature defenders, life and substance researchers, and teachers of future generations - the Chemistry-Biology Faculty of Ternopil National Pedagogical University named after Volodymyr Hnatyuk.
The faculty's anniversary is not just a tribute to the past but an opportunity to appreciate its relentless progress forward. This is a story of how fundamental knowledge in chemistry and biology intertwines with pedagogy to solve modern environmental challenges, develop biotechnologies, and educate new scientists.
Founded in the difficult post-war years as a natural sciences faculty, it became a center for the revival of education and science in the region.
The first steps were difficult: lack of equipment, premises, and qualified personnel. However, the enthusiasm of the first teachers and students gave impetus to development.
The name "Chemistry-Biology" appeared later, clearly defining its profile. The faculty evolved from training chemistry and biology teachers to becoming a scientific center with strong research traditions in biochemistry, plant physiology, ecology, organic and analytical chemistry.
The university was named after the outstanding Ukrainian ethnographer Volodymyr Hnatyuk, emphasizing the connection with national cultural heritage.
Strong traditions in organic and analytical chemistry research.
Pioneering work in plant physiology and biochemistry.
Today, the Chemistry-Biology Faculty is a dynamic scientific and educational complex defined by:
Active participation in international projects, Erasmus+ program, cooperation with European universities, facilitating knowledge and student exchange.
The faculty laboratories are equipped with modern equipment: spectrophotometers, chromatographs (HPLC, GC), PCR amplifiers, high-resolution microscopes, opening wide opportunities for research.
Soil contamination with heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc) near industrial zones or highways is a serious environmental problem that threatens human health and ecosystems.
Using hyperaccumulator plants to remove metals from soil - phytoextraction.
The key indicator of phytoextraction efficiency is the biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) - the ratio of metal concentration in the plant to its concentration in the soil.
| Soil Type | Initial Pb (mg/kg) | Final Pb (mg/kg) | Initial Cd (mg/kg) | Final Cd (mg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control (clean) | < 5 | < 5 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 |
| Contaminated (Before) | 100.0 ± 5.0 | - | 20.0 ± 1.0 | - |
| Contaminated (After - Willow) | 100.0 ± 5.0 | 82.3 ± 4.1 | 20.0 ± 1.0 | 15.1 ± 0.8 |
| Contaminated (After - Sunflower) | 100.0 ± 5.0 | 88.7 ± 4.4 | 20.0 ± 1.0 | 17.5 ± 0.9 |
| Contaminated (After - Tobacco) | 100.0 ± 5.0 | 91.5 ± 4.6 | 20.0 ± 1.0 | 18.2 ± 0.9 |
This research clearly demonstrates the practical potential of phytoremediation - an environmentally friendly and economically beneficial method for cleaning contaminated areas.
Essential reagents and materials for phytoremediation research:
The Chemistry-Biology Faculty of TNPU looks to the future with optimism and ambitions:
Integration of modern molecular biology methods (genomics, proteomics), nanotechnologies and artificial intelligence for data analysis in biochemical and environmental research.
Development of areas related to the creation of biological preparations for agriculture, medicine (search for new antioxidants, antimicrobial substances from plants), biomass processing.
Development of practical recommendations for the rehabilitation of disturbed ecosystems, monitoring of climate changes at the regional level, implementation of circular economy principles.
Active implementation of digital educational platforms, distance formats, project-based learning aimed at developing practical skills and critical thinking in students.
80 years is an age of wisdom and experience for the Chemistry-Biology Faculty of TNPU named after V. Hnatyuk. From post-war reconstruction to today's challenges, the faculty has always been and remains a living organism that is constantly evolving.
Its strength lies in the combination of deep fundamental knowledge, applied research aimed at solving real problems of the region and the country, and the unchanging mission - to train highly qualified specialists, teachers and scientists.
The anniversary is not only a summary but also a start into a new era of innovations, when biology and chemistry become keys to solving humanity's most complex tasks. The future of the faculty is the future of science, education and environmental safety of Ternopil region and Ukraine.