People - Outgoing

Jana JAKLOVÁ DYTRTOVÁ

The aim of the research stay of Jana Jaklova Dytrtova was the participation in the project “Development of miniaturized instrumental techniques and systems for innovative biological solutions” – in particular on the use of various analytical methods and systems for identification of extracellular vesicules and RNA.
Extracelular vesicules (EV) are heterogeneous group of membrane vesicles filled with various proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. They comprises also the DNA from donor cells. EV are double-layered nanoparticles ranging in size from 40 nanometres to 5 micrometres. They are mostly classified as exosomes, micro particles and apoptotic particles. Their participation in various metabolic mechanisms in human body has been documented. They provide information valuable for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Especially some types of EV separated from blood platelets and found in plasma and blood serum are connected to the blood coagulation disorders and heart attack risk.
There is an urgent need for discovery, development and standardization of simple and robust analytical tool for isolation and detection of EV. Widespread recent methods for EV detection are based on ultracentrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography, immunoaffinity methods, nanoparticle tracking analysis and protein tests. Average numbers of particles and average concentration of proteins are often the only available parameters for EV identification.
The research stay is focused on the development of the extracellular vesicles, especially on the binding ability of monoclonal antibodies immobilized on monolithic discs to the EV. This is accompanied with the development of selective systems of isolation and concentration of EV in biological samples. Characterization and identification of isolated macromolecules using various techniques is also an important part of the project.

Petr PACHL

Within his internship, Petr Pachl will work in a team led by prof. Mackey and prof. Matthews at the University of Sydney, Australia. The team has long been focusing on protein structure and function. Following this aim, artificial protein modifications, new structure functions and binding partners. There are numerous structure motives and binding partners, but the technique of the protein complex preparation and the structure identification is universal and transferable, and acquiring the technique is a key activity of the internship. The newly acquired skills will be transfer to IOCB in return phase helping other researchers with their specific problems. Petr Pachl will also broaden his research horizons and therefore increase his scientific potential and competitiveness to the benefit of IOCB.

Vladimír SYCHROVSKÝ

The stay of Vladimir Sychrovsky at Tokushima Bunri University is aimed at the research of phys-chem. features of nucleic acids, their chemically modified analogues and to the relevant chemical processes and catalytic reactions. Modification of the chemical structure of the DNA molecules with bound metals results in changes of electron structure that should positively influence molecular conductivity and other features valuable for nanotechnologies (according to the preliminary results). Optimization of molecular conductivity is a long-term and still-not-approached goal of nanotechnologic research focused on the development of a molecular wire and other electronic characters. Incorporation of base pairs with a metal binding into nucleic acids represents a specific while economically acceptable chemical modification (considering the programmable DNA sequence).
The key activity “Metal-DNA” will be focused on the research of the Metal-DNA molecular features in the molecule successfully prepared in cooperating laboratory at Tokushima Bunri University. This laboratory mainly aims at optimization of electric conductivity and nanoelectronic features of the Metal-DNA molecules. The key activity “Catalytic processes” will aim at research of the chemical reaction and catalytic processes related to the nucleic acids, particularly at DNA repair processes. DNA damage, occurring naturally in cells, has to be eliminated in order to avoid fatal consequences. Base-excision repair (BER) enzymes provide initial stage of repair cutting out the damaged base. Enzyme hOGG1 belongs to BER class. This enzyme specifically targets guanine base known for close relation with cancer growth. Repair mechanism provided by hOGG1 enzyme will be investigated regarding its substrate recognition and specifity, catalytic reaction itself and regarding the possibility of blocking the function of hOGG1 that may have support effect in cancer cure.

Jan ŠKERLE

During the research stay in crystalographic laboratory of Dr. David Drew , Jan Škerle will focus on the investigation of the function of sugar transporter SV2. This protein is targeted by several antiepileptics, it is known to be expressed in cancer cells and it is also a receptor for bacterial botulotoxin. Despite the therapeutic potential of SV2, its physiological role remains unknown. Detail description of its function may contribute to the future development of targeted therapeutic methods.

Jana ŠKERLOVÁ

Jana Škerlová, Ph.D., will complete a two-year internship at the laboratory of Prof. Paul Stenmark at Stockholm University in Sweden. Prof. Stenmark is a recognized expert in the area of structural studies of bacterial neurotoxins and he regularly publish in top peer-reviewed journals. Basic research of botulotoxin and tetanus neurotoxin outreach to the field of human medicine Botulotoxin has a wide therapeutic potential in treatment of convulsions but it may also be abused as a bioteroristic agent. Development of defensive measures should take places as well. Tetanus makes a substantial share in causes of death in developing countries.
Within the internship, Jana Škerlová will work on structure studies of botulotoxin and tetanotoxin aiming at elucidation of their function at molecular level, with the focus on the dynamics at particular domains and interactions with cell receptors. Jana Skerlova will use integrative approach combining various techniques of modern structural biology, e.g. X-ray crystallography, SAXS and cryoelectron microscopy. Jana Skerlova will develop her skills in x-ray crystallography and cryoelectron microscopy. Later on, she will bring the knowledge of such techniques to the laboratory of structural biology to the benefit of the whole IOCB. Stenmark’s lab also focuses on the structure studies of nucleotide metabolism enzymes, that are targeted in cancer treatment. This topic overlaps the projects at IOCB and may form a basis of long-term cooperation.