Postdoc Topics

1. Advancing coral biomineralization studies: Real-time imaging of coral skeletogenesis using 4D X-ray microcomputed tomography
2. Advancing Time-Resolved Cryo-EM to Elucidate Insulin Receptor Inhibition Mechanisms
3. Atomically Engineered Materials for Sustainable Carbon-Free Fuels
4. Development of multimaterial 3D printing using the digital light processing method
5. Environmental “double trouble”: Elucidating plant molecular responses to heavy metal and PFAS co-contamination
6. Exploring High-Frequency Electrical Neurostimulation Beyond Classical Mechanisms
7. FAST-4D hiQPI : Fast, Accurate, Scalable Time-lapse 4D Holographic Incoherent-light-source Quantitative Phase Imaging
8. Genetic predispositions to development of hematological malignancies
9. In situ magneto-ionic control of antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic interfaces
10. Investigation of novel possibilities for targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia
11. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in microenvironmental interactions of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
12. Magnetic actuation platforms for biological environments
13. Molecular mechanisms of heat stress adaptation: The function of ribonucleoprotein condensates in plant reproduction
14. Nanorobots for Biomedical and Environmental Applications
15. Next Generation Materials for Flexible Wearable Sensors and Energy Storage
16. Next-generation noninvasive neurostimulation technologies for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders
17. Next-generation noninvasive neurostimulation technologies for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders
18. Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural Virology
19. Processing of cabide-based ceramics by upcycling ceramic waste
20. Radical-free photocrosslinkable hydrogels for 3D bioprinting of advanced cartilage constructs
21. Role of transcription factors in onset and progression of B-cell malignancies
22. Structural Changes in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Relevant to Neurodegenerative Diseases
23. Translation Control
24. Unravelling microplastic fate and transport using combined advanced imaging and chemical characterization methods

 

Advancing coral biomineralization studies: Real-time imaging of coral skeletogenesis using 4D X-ray microcomputed tomography

Supervisor	Prof. Josef Kaiser, Ph.D.
Research Group	Advanced Instrumentation and Methods for Materials Characterization

The project will advance our understanding of coral biomineralization by developing a novel, non-invasive method for real-time imaging of skeletal formation in live reef-building corals using 4D X-ray microcomputed tomography. By capturing high-resolution structural changes over time, we seek to uncover the dynamic processes behind coral skeletogenesis and how they are influenced by environmental stressors such as ocean acidification. The methodology developed will provide a powerful platform for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of marine biology, imaging science, and environmental change.

 

Advancing Time-Resolved Cryo-EM to Elucidate Insulin Receptor Inhibition Mechanisms

Supervisor	Jiří Nováček, Ph.D.
Research Group	Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Tomography Core Facility

The proposed project will aim to provide insight into the activation mechanism of the insulin receptor (IR), a key regulator of glucose homeostasis and a prototypical receptor tyrosine kinase. Despite the availability of high-resolution structures of apo and fully bound IR, the sequence and timing of intermediate conformational states remain poorly understood. We will implement a comprehensive time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy (trEM) workflow to capture structural snapshots from receptor activation on both microsecond and millisecond timescale. For that, we will first adapt an integrated cryo-fluorescence microscope, developed in the CEITEC cryo-EM core facility (CEMCOF), into a microsecond-resolved cryo-sample preparation platform. This will enable precise triggering (e.g., pH or photochemical stimulus), localized laser melting, and revitrification of the sample. The system will be calibrated using a pH-dependent conformational transition of a virus from the Picornaviridae family, a process with well-characterized microsecond-scale dynamics. Concurrently, we will benchmark a time-resolved cryo-EM plunger, currently under development at CEMCOF, which will utilize mix–spray–plunge vitrification >100ms time scale and calibrate its performance using a well-studied case of bacterial ribosomal subunits association.   These two complementary approaches will then be applied to study the insulin receptor activation process at multiple temporal resolutions. By capturing intermediate states during insulin binding and receptor conformational changes, we aim to reconstruct the sequence of structural events that underlie IR activation. The project will not only advance mechanistic understanding of insulin signaling but will also establish a validated infrastructure for time-resolved cryo-EM as a service to the broader research community.

 

Atomically Engineered Materials for Sustainable Carbon-Free Fuels

Supervisor	Prof. Martin Pumera, Ph.D.
Research Group	Future Energy and Innovation Lab

This project focuses on the design and development of next-generation electrocatalysts for the sustainable production of carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. By applying single-atom engineering and atomic-scale tailoring of catalyst surfaces, we aim to significantly enhance catalytic efficiency, selectivity, and stability. The electrocatalytic processes will be ultimately powered by renewable green energy sources, ensuring a closed, environmentally friendly fuel cycle. The research will establish a fundamental understanding of structure–property relationships at the atomic level, enabling breakthroughs in scalable, sustainable fuel generation technologies crucial for the energy transition.

 

Development of multimaterial 3D printing using the digital light processing method

Supervisor	Prof. Martin Trunec
Research Group	Advanced Ceramic Materials

The aim of the project is to develop an innovative technology for 3D printing ceramic–metal components using the digital light processing (DLP) method. The project will focus not only on developing novel materials and manufacturing processes, but also on supporting a long-term research platform for technology transfer. This platform will provide regional companies with sustainable collaboration opportunities and access to advanced 3D printing technologies under development. The developed method will be demonstrated through the preparation of prototype composite components, designed in cooperation with regional companies (e.g., Roplass s.r.o.) and validated in industrial practice.

 

Environmental “double trouble”: Elucidating plant molecular responses to heavy metal and PFAS co-contamination

Supervisor	Prof. Jiří Fajkus
Research Group	Chromatin Molecular Complexes

As sessile organisms, plants face continuous exposure to environmental pollutants that are readily absorbed from soil and water, harming plant health and posing health risks to livestock and humans through bioaccumulation in edible plant parts. It is estimated that approximately 14 to 17% of farmland globally exceeds safe agricultural thresholds for at least one heavy metal (HM), exposing over a billion people living in those regions to the consequences of HM pollution (1). However, heavy metal pollution is not the only concern for farmland. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—man-made organic compounds with broad industrial applications—are persistent pollutants with long half-lifes, strong bioaccumulative properties, long-range transport potential, and known adverse effects on biota (2–4). Although some PFAS, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are being phased out, replacement PFAS compounds, like GenX, exhibit similarly concerning adverse effects (5, 6). These two types of contaminants likely co-occur, especially in industrialized areas. Therefore, understanding their combined effects is essential for crop improvement to reduce PFAS uptake and its transport to edible parts in co-contaminated environments with HMs. The project will investigate molecular responses of plants to co-contamination with cadmium (Cd) and selected PFAS compounds. Using Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, plants will be grown under environmentally relevant concentrations of these contaminants on agar plates and in hydroponic systems. A wide range of methods will be employed: transcriptome profiling, biochemical assays, photosynthetic performance metrics, phenotypic analysis, ionomics, as well as spatially resolved spectroscopy techniques such as laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). These approaches will enable investigation of PFAS and Cd uptake, translocation under co-contamination, and their effects on nutrient composition. Integrating transcriptomic and ionomic data through systems biology approaches will allow identification of candidate genes involved in pollutant transport and stress response for downstream functional validation. Analysing phylogenetically distant species is expected to reveal conserved mechanisms, potentially transferable to other plants, while species-specific effects may apply to closely related crops. This study is expected to provide novel insights into the mechanisms of PFAS translocation in plants and their interactions with heavy metals, offering targets for crop improvement in contaminated environments. 

 

Exploring High-Frequency Electrical Neurostimulation Beyond Classical Mechanisms

Supervisor	Prof. Eric Glowacki, Ph.D.
Research Group	Bioelectronics Materials and Devices

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our interdisciplinary team at the Bioelectronics Materials and Devices Laboratory, Brno University of Technology. Our research focuses on high-frequency electrical neurostimulation, specifically using unconventional waveforms in the kilohertz-to-megahertz (kHz–MHz) range. The central goal is to investigate how these atypical frequencies can influence neuronal function through non-classical biophysical mechanisms, potentially operating beyond standard membrane depolarization. This is a fundamental scientific question with significant implications for future bioelectronic therapies and neural interfacing technologies. We offer a flexible and multidisciplinary research environment, with opportunities to work across several experimental and theoretical platforms: Computational modeling of neuronal responses to high-frequency fields; In vitro electrophysiology, including patch clamp and multielectrode arrays; Experiments on model organisms (e.g. invertebrate nervous systems); Noninvasive human studies, with access to stimulation and recording equipment. The project benefits from strong collaborative ties with neuroscience groups at the CEITEC campus of Masaryk University (MUNI), enabling joint experiments and access to complementary infrastructure across Brno’s leading research institutions. A successful fellowship project may thus span both campuses.

 

FAST-4D hiQPI : Fast, Accurate, Scalable Time-lapse 4D Holographic Incoherent-light-source Quantitative Phase Imaging

Supervisor	Prof. Radim Chmelik, Ph.D.
Research Group	Experimental Biophotonics

The goal of this project is to optimise and accelerate algorithms for reconstructing 3D refractive index distributions from hiQPI data, thereby enabling time-resolved (4D) high-fidelity hiQPI imaging of both weakly and strongly scattering samples. The main outcome will be software with a user-friendly graphical interface, capable of rapidly reconstructing large-scale hiQPI time-lapse z-stacks, taken under various light propagation conditions.  To achieve this, different reconstruction strategies will be explored and compared, including physics-driven algorithms, AI-based approaches, and hybrid methods. In parallel, the experimental parameters required to acquire hiQPI z-stacks with sufficient information content will be systematically explored and optimized. The resulting 4D reconstruction pipeline will be applied to biological samples such as organoids and highly motile cells (e.g., sperm) and may be complemented by segmentation and cell-tracking algorithms to extend its applicability in biological research.

 

Genetic predispositions to development of hematological malignancies

Supervisor	Prof. Šárka Pospíšilová, Ph.D.
Research Group	Medical Genomics

Hematological malignancies are closely related to various types of somatic mutations in blood cells, which often accumulate during the course of the disease. Recent findings point to the increasing importance of inherited genetic predispositions that influence the development of lymphoid and myeloid leukemias and other neoplasms. They could play a causal role in the development of the disease and be related to its early onset, patient prognosis and the effect of therapy. The description of novel germline mutations as risk factors for disease progression therefore has clear clinical implications and benefits for patients and their families. The underlying biological mechanisms leading to leukemic transformation are specific for each genetic variant and should be further investigated. The most frequent and severe genetic variants predisposing to hematological malignancies will be selected from a novel genome-wide analysis of the Czech/European population analyzed within the Genome of Europe project, which is currently underway in our laboratory.

 

In situ magneto-ionic control of antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic interfaces

Supervisor	Vojtěch Uhlíř, Ph.D.
Research Group	Nanomagnetism and Spintronics

Study how electric fields or ion migration reshape magnetic order in thin films, using advanced electron microscopy. The goal is to directly watch magnetic domain walls and/or phase changes as they happen, linking atomic-scale mechanisms to device-scale functionality.

 

Investigation of novel possibilities for targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia 

Supervisor	Michal Šmída
Research Group	Functional Genomics

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hard-to-treat malignancy of myeloid blood cell lineage, whose therapy was for decades relying primarily on intensive chemotherapy. Only recently, the first targeted agent venetoclax (an inhibitor of BCL2 antiapoptotic protein) has been approved. Nevertheless, majority of patients does not benefit from venetoclax therapy in long-term, leaving them no other therapeutic options.  

Our research aims to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying venetoclax resistance, identify novel targets of therapy and propose new means of targeted treatments with higher success rate, tailored for individual groups of patients. State-of-the-art technologies are applied in our research such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screening, large-scale drug screening, CAR-T cell engineering technology, RNA sequencing, single-cell RNAseq and many other cell biology and molecular biology techniques. 

 

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in microenvironmental interactions of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Supervisor	Prof. Marek Mráz, MD, Ph.D.
Research Group	Microenvironment of Immune Cells

Marek Mraz research group has a long-term interest in non-coding RNAs and microenvironmental interactions of malignant B cells, and this research has been supported by an ERC Starting grant (2019-2024). We have previously described novel regulators of microenvironmental interactions including short non-coding RNAs, microRNAs (Sharma et al…Mraz, Blood, 2021; Musilova et al…Mraz, Blood, 2018; Cerna et al…Mraz, Leukemia, 2019). MicroRNAs were shown to play a pivotal role in B cell functions; however, the functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) remain unclear. We aim to decipher for the first time the role of lncRNAs in B cell receptor (BCR) signaling and B-T cell interactions. Human genome contains large numbers of lncRNAs that can regulate various physiological cellular processes or contribute to the onset or aggressiveness of cancer. We will study lncRNAs in the context of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is driven by aberrations in the BCR pathway and B-T interactions. Regulation of BCR pathway and B-T cell interactions by lncRNAs is likely of relevance for CLL, but is also transferable to the biology of other B cell malignancies, autoimmune diseases and normal B cells. We identified 3 candidate lncRNAs involved in microenvironmental interactions of CLL. We will decipher the molecular functions of these lncRNAs using biochemical and cellular approaches and via a novel lncRNA knock-out mouse model. We have engineered mice for genetic loss of one of these lncRNAs, and the student will analyse the phenotype of these mice and breed them with known CLL mouse models (Eu-TCL1). Detailed biochemical/molecular studies will complement these data and we will also analyze primary samples from patients with B cell malignancies. We will identify functions of lncRNAs using CRISPR interference, RNA pulldown experiments, mouse models, and molecular biology technics. Furthermore, we developed a novel co-culture model inducing robust primary CLL cell proliferation (~50%) in vitro (Hoferkova et al, Leukemia, 2024). We aim to utilize this game-changing tool to perform the first-ever CRISPR screening of lncRNAs/genes regulating primary CLL cell proliferation. This will help better understand the disease biology and possibly identify novel molecular targets for therapy.

 

Magnetic actuation platforms for biological environments

Supervisor	Vojtěch Uhlíř, Ph.D.
Research Group	Nanomagnetism and Spintronics

Design magnetic micro- and nanostructures that can be remotely controlled by external magnetic fields to actively influence biological systems. These platforms would deliver mechanical forces or trigger local electrical responses inside cells or tissues, enabling new modes of stimulation and therapeutic intervention.

 

Molecular mechanisms of heat stress adaptation: The function of ribonucleoprotein condensates in plant reproduction

Supervisor	Karel Říha, Ph.D.
Research Group	Plant Molecular Biology

Elevated temperatures pose a major challenge to plant reproduction, threatening crop fertility and yield. Meiosis is particularly vulnerable to heat stress, which can disrupt homologous recombination and chromosome segregation, leading to pollen abortion and infertility. To cope with these conditions, plants employ intricate molecular mechanisms that safeguard gene expression and protein function. Among these, ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates have emerged as dynamic regulatory hubs that respond to diverse stress conditions by sequestering and protecting RNAs and proteins, thereby fine-tuning gene expression for adaptation. We have recently identified an RNA-binding protein that forms RNP condensates, which act as key regulators of meiotic protein expression, influencing processes such as chromosome pairing, cytokinesis, and callose metabolism. Importantly, these condensates are responsive to temperature, suggesting a critical role in plant adaptation to heat stress. The main goal of this project is to elucidate how these RNP condensates coordinate stress responses and contribute to heat stress adaptation. Ultimately, this knowledge will be leveraged to manipulate these mechanisms to enhance plant reproductive resilience and seed yield under elevated temperatures.

 

Nanorobots for Biomedical and Environmental Applications

Supervisor	Prof. Martin Pumera, Ph.D.
Research Group	Future Energy and Innovation Lab

Microrobots are at the forefront of next-generation solutions in healthcare and environmental technologies. They are designed to:

• Remove nanoplastics from aquatic environments
• Eradicate biofilms that obstruct medical treatments and device performance

Our group explores the innovative designs and mechanisms of nano- and microrobots, with emphasis on:

• Targeted biomedical therapies and improved antibiotic efficacy
• Environmental remediation through micro- and nanoplastic adsorption
• Advanced single atom engineering strategies for precise functionality
• We seek motivated candidates interested in pioneering microrobotics research, contributing to sustainable technologies, and addressing pressing biomedical and environmental challenges.

Key References:

• Urso, Ussia & Pumera, Smart micro- and nanorobots for water purification, Nat. Rev. Bioeng. 2023.
• Mayorga-Martinez, Zhang & Pumera, Chemical multiscale robotics for bacterial biofilm treatment, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2024.
• Urso, Ussia, Novotný & Pumera, Trapping and detecting nanoplastics by MXene-derived oxide microrobots, Nat. Commun. 2022.
• Pumera et al., Technology Roadmap of Micro/Nanorobots, ACS Nano 2025.

 

Next Generation Materials for Flexible Wearable Sensors and Energy Storage

Supervisor	Prof. Martin Pumera, Ph.D.
Research Group	Future Energy and Innovation Lab

The transition to flexible and wearable electronics demands advanced energy storage and sensing materials. Our group pioneers the development of next-generation systems that integrate:

• Flexible and stretchable batteries and supercapacitors with high energy density
• Wearable sensors for real-time health and environmental monitoring
• 2D and MXene-based nanomaterials, conductive polymers, and hybrid architectures
• 3D printing for batteries and sensors

This research bridges materials science, nanotechnology, and device engineering, addressing key challenges in:

• Mechanical flexibility and stability of energy storage devices
• Biocompatibility and integration into wearable platforms
• High sensitivity, selectivity, and durability of flexible sensors

We seek motivated postdoctoral researchers eager to shape the future of smart energy and sensing technologies through materials innovation and device engineering.

 

Next-generation noninvasive neurostimulation technologies for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Supervisor	Prof. Eric Glowacki, Ph.D.
Research Group	Bioelectronics Materials and Devices

This fellowship offers the opportunity to join a collaboration between the Applied Neurosciences group at Masaryk University (Prof. Irena Rektorová) and the Bioelectronics Materials and Devices team at Brno University of Technology (Prof. Eric Glowacki).

Our research focuses on developing novel noninvasive electrical stimulation methods for the central and peripheral nervous systems, using advanced high-frequency (kHz) supraphysiological waveforms aimed at improving treatments for Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders.

We combine clinical studies in patients and healthy volunteers, preclinical animal experiments, and in vitro biophysics with theory and computational modelling. Our teams have access to advanced electrophysiology, medical imaging, and unique opportunities to work with patients carrying deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants, enabling both acute and chronic recordings from implanted electrodes.

A successful fellowship can be tailored to individual expertise, ranging from theoretical and computational modelling, through fundamental biophysics of kHz stimulation, to preclinical electrophysiology and clinical studies with human participants.

 

Next-generation noninvasive neurostimulation technologies for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Supervisor	Martin Lamoš, Ph.D.
Research Group	Multi-modal and Functional Neuroimaging

This fellowship is based at the Multimodal and Functional Neuroimaging at Masaryk University (Martin Lamoš, Ivan Rektor) Our research focuses on developing novel noninvasive electrical stimulation methods for the central nervous systems, using advanced high-frequency (kHz) supraphysiological waveforms aimed at improving treatments for Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders. We combine clinical studies in patients and healthy volunteers with theory and computational modelling. Our teams have access to advanced electrophysiology, medical imaging, and unique opportunities to work with patients carrying deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants, enabling both acute and chronic recordings from implanted electrodes. Collaboration with the Bioelectronics Materials and Devices group (Prof. E. Glowacki) at the Brno University of Technology CEITEC campus is also envisioned as a part of this project. A successful fellowship can be tailored to individual expertise, ranging from theoretical and computational modelling, through fundamental biophysics of kHz stimulation, to preclinical electrophysiology and clinical studies with human participants.

 

Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural Virology

Supervisor	Pavel Plevka, Ph.D.
Research Group	Structural Virology

The post-doc will participate in a research project focused on characterizing the processes of cell entry and genome delivery of non-enveloped viruses from families Picornaviridae, Polyomaviridae, Papillomaviridae, Adenoviridae, and Parvoviridae, using cryo-electron microscopy and tomography. The project will also include structural studies of endocytosis of well-characterized markers of various types of endocytosis, such as transferrin (clathrin-mediated endocytosis), anti-b1-adrenergic receptor (fast endophilin-mediated endocytosis), anti-CD44 antibody (clathrin-independent endocytosis). We aim to determine the mechanisms of virus cell entry and genome delivery, and possible means of preventing it.

 

Processing of cabide-based ceramics by upcycling ceramic waste

Supervisor	Prof. Karel Maca
Research Group	Advanced Multifunctional Ceramics

The project's objective is to find the optimal processing route to upcycle industrial waste ceramic grinding sludge into high-performance, non-oxide (carbidic) ceramics for various purposes. This topic delivers both technological innovation and environmental benefit, as it valorises industrial waste while introducing a novel class of materials and possible future commercial applications.

 

Radical-free photocrosslinkable hydrogels for 3D bioprinting of advanced cartilage constructs

Supervisor	Lucy Vojtová, Ph.D.
Research Group	Advanced Biomaterials

3D bioprinting is rapidly emerging as a transformative technology in regenerative medicine, enabling the fabrication of complex, patient-specific tissue constructs with unprecedented spatial precision. Among the strategies employed in this field, photocrosslinking has gained particular attention due to its ability to provide spatiotemporal control over the biochemical and mechanical properties of biomaterials. Hydrogels represent the principal class of bioinks for such applications; however, conventional photocrosslinking methods often rely on photoinitiators that generate free radicals, which may compromise cell viability and hinder clinical translation. This project seeks to advance the field by developing a new generation of radical-free, photocrosslinkable hydrogels specifically designed for 3D bioprinting applications. The research will focus on engineering dynamic polymeric networks that can be rapidly stabilized under cytocompatible light conditions, thereby ensuring precise spatiotemporal gelation without the limitations of radical-mediated chemistry. The resulting materials are expected to combine high printability, mechanical robustness, and biocompatibility, establishing an advanced platform for biofabrication and regenerative medicine of cartilage tissue.

 

Role of transcription factors in onset and progression of B-cell malignancies

Supervisor	Prof. Marek Mráz, MD, Ph.D.
Research Group	Microenvironment of Immune Cells

Transcription factors (TFs) are important regulators of cell growth, development, and hematopoietic cell differentiation. Disrupting the mechanisms that are responsible for the proper function of the transcription apparatus can lead to the onset of blood cell malignancies. The abnormal function of TFs due to dysregulation or genomic aberrations are often associated with the development of leukemias, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other B-cell malignancies. Much evidence from the latest research shows that CLL cells have an extra deregulated chromatin structure and show an increased incidence of activated enhancer and promoter areas, allowing TFs to bind and subsequently aberrantly activate potential oncogenes. Moreover, specific post-translational modification of some TFs have been noted as a result of dysregulated signaling in the leukemia microenvironment and this also contributes to disease progression. However, it remains largely unknown which TFs and how they contribute to the development and aggressiveness of CLL and other B malignancies. This project aims to describe the role of candidate TFs in the development and progression of B-cell malignancies with emphasis on CLL while also testing targeted therapy options, e.g. using specific inhibitors of TFs or chromatin modification regulators that are currently available or in development.We have identified several TFs that might act as novel regulators of the B cell survival, proliferation and crosstalk with other immune cells. The PhD student will further investigate this using techniques such as genome editing (CRISPR), RNA sequencing, use of primary samples, and functional studies with various in vitro and in vivo mouse models. The research is also relevant for understanding resistance mechanisms to targeted therapy.

 

Structural Changes in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Relevant to Neurodegenerative Diseases

Supervisor	Jozef Hritz, Ph.D.
Research Group	Protein Structure and Dynamics

Our research is centered on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) such as Tau and α-Synuclein, which are known to undergo conformational changes that result in the formation of pathological fibrils. These fibrillar aggregates are hallmark components of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease.We investigate, in detail, how post-translational modifications, buffer conditions, and interactions with binding partners—particularly 14-3-3 proteins—influence these structural transitions. For the characterization of soluble protein states, we employ biomolecular NMR spectroscopy (CF NMR CEITEC - Ceitec.cz). Structural studies of fibrillar forms are conducted using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Importantly, beyond in vitro models, we analyze patient-derived pathological fibrils directly within tissue samples from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients using cryo-EM tomography (CF Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Tomography - Ceitec.cz).To gain deeper mechanistic insights, we integrate experimental data with computational simulations. Our work is supported by multiple international research grants, most notably the Excellence Hubs project ADDIT-CE, coordinated by Jozef Hritz (ADDIT-CE - Ceitec.cz).

 

Translation Control

Supervisor	Petr Těšina, Ph.D.
Research Group	Translation Control

Problems in translation due to faulty mRNA or other modes of cellular stress lead to ribosomal collisions which are sensed by specific cellular factors for stress signaling and for clearance of problematic mRNAs and incomplete nascent polypeptides. Our research utilizes cryogenic electron microscopy together with cellular and biochemical methods and aims at providing mechanistic understanding of these translation control processes, defining working principles of their components and their disease-causing mutations. We also study the molecular mechanisms by which viruses affect host translation control.

 

Unravelling microplastic fate and transport using combined advanced imaging and chemical characterization methods

Supervisor	Prof. Josef Kaiser, Ph.D.
Research Group	Advanced Instrumentation and Methods for Materials Characterization

This project aims to driving forward microplastic research by developing a novel, multi-instrumental approach that combines high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) with SEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and LIBS. Using a dynamic, environmentally realistic model system, simulating natural processes such as UV degradation, organisms’ activity, and biofilm formation, we will track microplastic movement and transformation in complex matrices like soil and sediment. This multi-modal methodology will expand detection capabilities and provide new insights into microplastic fate, informing improved environmental monitoring and mitigation strategies.