Department of Medical Biology

For students

• Thesis topics offer

• Study materials

Studies at KME

• Study system

  All necessary information regarding the obligations and rights of students at the Faculty of Science can be found in the Dean's Measure No. D 48:

  •  https://prf.jcu.cz/en/faculty/documents/study-regulations-related-topics/d48

  Studies at the JU CB Faculty of Science are governed by the current JU Study Regulations:

  • https://old.jcu.cz/about-the-university/documents-1/documents-for-students/study/study-and-examination-code-usb-docx.pdf/view 

  The organisation of the school year is governed by the academic calendar for the school year.

  • https://prf.jcu.cz/en/study-at-the-faculty/academic-calendar 

  All three documents describe in detail the organization, conditions and course of study, examinations and credits, obligations and rights of JU students. It is therefore highly advisable to study those documents or seek answers to your questions directly in these documents.

• List of lecturers

  The Department provides teaching of most of the compulsory courses of the Bachelor's degree in BLT and Master's degree in Clinical Biology. Courses are taught by both academic and clinical staff.

  Name and specialization	Workplace	Phone number/E-mail	Room
  BROŽ Pavel, MUDr. Clinical biochemistry	University Hospital Plzeň	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 377 104 243
  BYSTŘICKÁ Dagmar, Mgr., Ph.D. Medical genetics	GENLABS s.r.o.	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 603 286 725
  EYER, Luděk, Mgr., Ph.D. Microbial diagnostics	VÚVeL Brno	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 777 781 911
  CHMELAŘ Jindřich, RNDr., Ph.D. Immunology, inflammation	PřF JU (FSci USB)	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. *6278	C-02-061
  CHMELÍK Václav, prim., MUDr. Infectious disease medicine	The ČB Hospital	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 387 874 601
  JANOVSKÁ Radmila, MUDr. Histology, Pathologic anatomy	The ČB Hospital	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 387 873 466
  JIRKŮ-POMAJBÍKOVÁ Kateřina, MVDr. Ph.D. Immunology of parasitoses, functional anatomy	PaÚ BC AV ČR	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. *5470
  KOPECKÝ Jan, prof. RNDr., CSc. Immunology, Immunology of viruses and parasitoses	PřF JU (FSci USB)	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. *6274	C-02-038
  KOVÁŘ Jan, RNDr., CSc. Lipoprotein metabolism, Atherosclerosis	IKEM	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 236 053 369
  LANGHANSOVÁ Helena, RNDr., Ph.D. Immunology, experimental animals in biomedical research	PřF JU (FSci USB)	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. *6291	C-02-039
  LIESKOVSKÁ Jaroslava, Mgr., Ph.D. Molecular immunology, Virology	PřF JU (FSci USB)	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. *6291	C-02-039
  POLÁKOVÁ Simona, Mgr. Biostatistics		This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 605 430 008
  RŮŽEK Daniel, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. Medical virology	VÚVeL Brno	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 777 786 218
  SUMOVÁ Alena, PharmDr., CSc., DSc. Human biorhythms	FGÚ AV ČR, Praha	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 241 062 528
  ŠTĚRBA Jan, RNDr., Ph.D. Pharmacology and toxicology	PřF JU (FSci USB)	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. *6220	C-01-008
  VERNER Miroslav, prim. MUDr. Clinical biochemistry	The ČB Hospital	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  387 873 500
  VONDRÁKOVÁ Jana, MUDr., Ph.D. Laboratory haematology	The ČB Hospital	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 387 873 558, 387 873 581
  VONKE Ivan, prim. MUDr. Clinical haematology	The ČB Hospital	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 387 873 561
  VOSÁTKOVÁ Michala Clinical Endocrinology, Pathophysiology	EÚ Praha	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 224 905 244
  WEYDA František, doc. RNDr, CSc. Morphology and histology of arthropods, electron and light microscopy	PřF JU (FSci USB)	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 606 651 179
  ŽAMPACH Pavel, MUDr. Clinical immunology	The ČB Hospital	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 387 873 611
  ŽAMPACHOVÁ Eva, MUDr. Medical microbiology	Strongwest, a.s., ČB	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 607 854 614
  ŽENKA Jan, RNDr., CSc. Tumour immunotherapy	PřF (FSci USB)	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. *6274, 774 550 724	C-02-038

• Courses provided by KME

  In the links you will find detailed information about all the courses offered by the Department of Medical Biology and a list of all the lectures at the Faculty of Science as offered by individual departments and institutes within the study programmes. Courses taught in English are marked in bold.

  • List of courses provided by KME - 2022/2023
  • List of courses provided by FSci USB (in Czech)

  Kód	Název	Kód	Název
  KME / 060	Lékařská parazitologie pro klin. biology	KME / 614	Metody studia buňky
  KME / 062	Statistika v preklin. a klin. výzkumu	KME / 615	Cell Line Cultures in Vitro
  KME / 065	Metody mikrobiální diagnostiky	KME / 625	Fotografické techniky II.
  KME / 066	Terapie nádorů pro bakaláře	KME / 721	Klinická imunologie
  KME / 074	Terapie nádorů pro magistry	KME / 722	Klinická biochemie II
  KME / 082	Virology	KME / 723	Immunology
  KME / 084	Molek. diag. metody v lék. genetice	KME / 724	Laboratorní hematologie
  KME / 085	Základy medicínské biologie	KME / 725	Biorytmy člověka
  KME / 085E	Introduction into biomedicine	KME / 726	Hematologie II.
  KME / 086	Pokusná zvířata v biomedicínském výzkumu	KME / 729	Infekční lékařství
  KME / 087	Molekulární imunologie	KME / 738	Praxe v klinické laboratoři I.
  KME / 087E	Molecular immunology	KME / 739	Praxe v klinické laboratoři II.
  KME / 179	Seminář mag. oborů - klinická biologie	KME / 740	Histologie
  KME / 213	Základy funkční anatomie člověka	KME / 742	Patologická anatomie
  KME / 216	Imunologie	KME / 743	Klinická biochemie
  KME / 306	Fotografické techniky I.	KME / 744	Trendy v biomedicíně
  KME / 310	Bioanalýza v lékařské diagnostice	KME / 745	Biomedicínská laboratorní praxe
  KME / 481	Lékařská mikrobiologie	KME / 746	Výživa člověka
  KME / 501	Imunologie parazitóz	KME / 747	Patofyziologie
  KME / 603	Lékařská virologie	KME / 748	Farmakologie a toxikologie
  KME / 606	Kultivace živočišných buněk a tkání

• Practises

  During the Bachelor's and Master's studies, the student is obliged to complete 3 internships in a clinically or diagnostically oriented laboratory (e.g. in the laboratory of clinical biochemistry, histopathology, microbiology, immunology, cytogenetics or other similar fields). It is also possible to visit other specifically focused laboratories in agreement with the Head of Department. The aim of the internship is to familiarize students with the normal workflow of laboratories and the laboratory procedures used.

  During the Bachelor's degree students are obliged to complete Biomedical Laboratory Practise (KME/745) (duration of practice is 8 days) and Clinical Laboratory Practise I (KME/738) (duration of practice is 10 days). In the Master's programme, students take the Clinical Laboratory Practise II (KME/739) (duration again 10 days).

  The place of the internship is of the students' own choice. In České Budějovice, students can complete their internships for example in the České Budějovice Hospital or in one of the private medical laboratories. It is also possible to complete the internship in another EU country. The focus of the departments where the student completes the Biomedical Laboratory Practice, and the Clinical Laboratory Practice I must be different, so it is possible to complete both internships in the same institution, but not in the same department. It is not possible to complete the internship in a research laboratory (e.g. it is not possible to count work in the laboratories of the BC CAS as part of the diploma internship).

  At least one month before the internship, you must arrange the appropriate insurance through the faculty (arranged by Ms. Hana Kabelová - Economic Department, Building C, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +420 387 776 203).

  In order to receive credit, a certificate of completion of the internship must be submitted to the course supervisor (listed in STAG) for approval. This confirmation should include information about where the student has completed the internship, the duration of the internship, or what methods he/she has become familiar with (a contract between the faculty and the relevant laboratory is not sufficient as a confirmation of completion of the internship).

• Department seminars

  Students of Biomedical Laboratory Technology, Clinical Biology and Infectious Biology present their bachelor's, master's and dissertation theses at departmental seminars, which run in the winter and summer semesters. The departmental seminars are held as part of the Master's Seminar - Clinical Biology course (KME 179).

  - Bachelor students are required to present the progress and results of their undergraduate thesis at least twice during their studies, which corresponds to 1 time per year since the assignment of the bachelor thesis. The presentation is required to be in the Czech language and to last a maximum of 20 minutes including discussion. For Bachelors, the presentation of results or research is a prerequisite for credit in the course KME/890, reps. KME/891.

  - Master's students are obliged to present their thesis once a year. Presentations (slides) are required in English, speech in Czech. The maximum length of the presentation is 20 minutes including discussion. At the same time, in the semester in which they will be presenting at the seminar, Master's students enrol in KME/179 (Seminar of Master's Degrees - Clinical Biology) and are obliged to attend the seminars (attendance is kept with a maximum of 3 absences).

  - Doctoral students are also required to present the progress and results of their dissertation once a year. Presentations (slides) and speeches are required in English for a maximum of 30 minutes including discussion.

   In case students defend their thesis in a department or institute other than KME, they will have to present the progress and results of their thesis in a seminar of the respective department in which they will defend. However, a presentation at the KME seminar is still required.

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  Presentation structure requirements:

  • Introduction / Introduction
    • Introduction to the topic of the student's thesis, i.e. a summary of current knowledge on the topic in relation to the aim/objectives of the student's thesis
    • this knowledge should come from the scientific literature (peer-reviewed journals)
    • requirements for the number of references used in the introduction:
      • Bachelor student - min. 5 scientific articles, in case of a research paper min. 15-20 scientific articles
      • Master's student - min. 8 scientific articles
      • PhD students - at their discretion

  • Objectives / Aims
    • concise and clearly stated aim or aims of the thesis
  • Material & methods
    • concise summary of methods used
  • Conclusions / Conclusions
    • summary of the results of the work and new findings in relation to the objectives of the work
  • Acknowledgement

• Medical accreditation

  What is medical accreditation?

  Medical accreditation is required to practice health professions and allows a graduate to be employed in hospitals and other health care facilities. Accreditation applies to approximately 40 legally defined non-medical health professions. Students and graduates of the fields of study provided by the KME, i.e. Biomedical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) and Clinical Biology (KB), are covered by paragraph 1b of §26 of Act No. 96/2004 Coll., which defines the possibilities of obtaining medical accreditation for the exercise of the profession "Professional worker in laboratory methods".

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  Extract from Act No 96/2004 Coll. §26:

  (1) Professional competence to exercise the profession of professional worker in laboratory methods and in the preparation of medicinal products is obtained by completing

  (a) an accredited medical master's degree course for the training of a professional in laboratory methods, or

  (b) an accredited Master of Science degree and an accredited qualifying course in professional medical laboratory methods or an accredited qualifying course in laboratory methods in assisted reproduction or an accredited qualifying course in the manufacture, preparation and control of medicinal products; or

  (c) an accredited master's degree in science, electrical engineering or mathematics and an accredited qualification course in professional laboratory methods in the protection and promotion of public health.

  Students in Clinical Biology are referred to in the bolded passages.

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  Do the BMLT and KB programs have medical accreditation?

  Due to statutory conditions, it is not practically possible to obtain a health accreditation for a study programme without cooperation with a teaching (university) hospital, which, unfortunately, is not present in České Budějovice. Therefore, the study fields of BMLT and KB do not have medical accreditation, however, this situation is solved by completing an accredited course after successful completion of the Master's degree (see below).

  Note: Currently, there is no accreditation course offered in the Czech Republic that would lead to a medical accreditation after completing only a Bachelor's degree. Such a course would enable the regulated profession of "Healthcare Laboratory Technician" to be practised. Since the accredited course of Health Laboratory Technician is offered at many health-oriented faculties in the Czech Republic, including the ZSF JU CB in České Budějovice, there is no demand for such an accreditation course. Therefore, graduates of the Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology CANNOT practice the regulated profession of Health Laboratory Technician, nor do they have the opportunity to take the relevant accreditation course! They are required to complete a Master's degree, preferably in Clinical Biology.

  How is this situation solved at the Faculty of Science USB?

  The faculty pays the fee for the accreditation course, which is organized annually by the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague (note: this course replaces the previously paid accreditation course organized by the Institute of Postgraduate Education in Health Care, which is currently no longer paid). The faculty contribution is made in the form of an extraordinary scholarship for students completing a Master's degree in Clinical Biology. Students must report to the Head of Department at the beginning of the calendar year that they intend to graduate in that year (or in January of the following year) and personally apply to the Department Head for an Extraordinary Scholarship prior to graduation. After graduation, the exceptional scholarship cannot be paid to the student.

Bachelor study programme

• Programme Laboratory and Medical biology

  Programme guarantor:

  RNDr. Jindřich Chmelař, Ph.D., e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone: 387 776 278

  Laboratory and Medical Biology is a modern study programme focused on understanding the principles of the functioning of the human body, including its pathologies, at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and organismal levels. Students will be introduced to biomedicine as a dynamic and evolving field of science as well as the principles and practices of laboratory diagnostics and bioanalysis. The program provides the knowledge and skills to practically perform a variety of methods in biological or biomedical laboratories. Physicians and hospital laboratory professionals are involved in teaching clinically focused courses, ensuring that the latest trends in medical diagnostics are reflected. Students in the program can practice in collaborating laboratories. They will acquire theoretical knowledge in organic and physical chemistry and biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics or immunology, all with an emphasis on the clinical aspects of these disciplines. In addition, the student will acquire practical skills in the molecular biology, biochemistry and immunology laboratory, and will be able to analyse, statistically evaluate and interpret data obtained by their own measurements. A significant part of the study is devoted to independent creative scientific work, in which the student will learn to navigate the scientific literature, obtain data from available databases, and in the case of experimental work will develop laboratory skills. Graduates of the programme will find employment in research laboratories focused on basic and preclinical biomedical research. Upon completion of the appropriate accreditation course, students may practice the regulated profession of health laboratory technician. They can work in diagnostic and other private laboratories as highly skilled laboratory technicians. Graduates also have the option to pursue a follow-up Master's degree in Clinical Biology, which will further enhance their knowledge and practical skills in medical biology.

  Graduate profile
  You will learn:

  • Use knowledge of organic and physical chemistry, molecular and cell biology and genetics
  • handle cell culture and prepare samples and solutions
  • master state-of-the-art methods based on nucleic acid and protein analysis
  • analyse, interpret and evaluate the data obtained

  Admission procedure
  The criteria for admission are a complete secondary education with a high school diploma and fulfillment of the conditions according to the annual Decision of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the JU on the admission of applicants to Bachelor's degree programs.

• Bachelor thesis

  No later than at the beginning of the fifth semester of study in the Bachelor's degree programme, the student is obliged to choose the topic of the Bachelor's thesis in cooperation with the supervisor and to submit to the study department the Bachelor's thesis assignment protocol with all necessary signatures (download the form HERE). In the fifth semester at the latest, the student must be enrolled in the course Bachelor Thesis Practicum I (FBI/890). In the subsequent semester, the student must enroll in the course Bachelor Thesis Practicum II (FBI/891). If the student is extending his/her studies, he/she enrolls in the course Bachelor Thesis Practicum (FBI/893).

  Even though the student is obliged to choose the topic at the beginning of the fifth semester at the latest, it is recommended that the topic of the bachelor thesis be chosen as early as possible, mainly because of the time demanding nature of some theses (this does not only apply to experimental theses, a sufficient amount of time is also needed for the quality of the research topics).

  The topic of the bachelor thesis is chosen by each student according to his/her own interest. The thesis can be prepared either under the supervision of a supervisor directly from the KME or at one of the cooperating institutes (Biological Centre of the CAS, Department of Chemistry of the JU, etc.). Bachelor theses can also be supervised by external supervisors, e.g. from the České Budějovice Hospital. In the case of external supervisors, it is recommended to pay increased attention to the formal aspect of the thesis to avoid any misunderstandings caused by different requirements set for the thesis by the Faculty of Science and the supervisor (more about the formal requirements for bachelor's and master's theses can be found in the Provision of the Vice-Dean for Study P 5 On the Submission of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Master´s Theses at the Faculty of Science, USB - HERE).

  Basic advice on how to proceed correctly when writing a thesis and the most common mistakes to avoid are summarized in the attached presentation.

  • How to write a thesis

  The student reports on the course of preparation and partial results of the bachelor thesis at least twice during the study at the departmental seminar (see KME Seminars).

   If students defend their thesis in a department or institute other than KME, they may present the progress and results of their thesis at the seminar of the department in which they will defend. This should be reported to the Head of KME.

  The student submits the bachelor thesis to the study department on the appropriate date (see the Calendar of the academic year). Before submission, students are required to upload the electronic version to the STAG database.

   

• State final exam

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Master's programme

• Programme Clinical biology

  Garant of the study programme:

  Prof. RNDr. Jan Kopecký, CSc.
  email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  phone: +420 387 776 274
  Building C, Přf JU, door 02 038 

  Briefly about the Clinical Biology program

  The Master's program of Clinical Biology enables to acquire a wealth of theoretical knowledge and practical skills and to apply them in practice in carrying out complex methodological procedures in a wide range of laboratories, including the latest diagnostic and analytical methods. A graduate of Clinical Biology is able to interpret and integrate the results of individual laboratory findings and can therefore find employment in leading positions of clinical or diagnostic laboratories (virology, medical genetics, clinical biochemistry, etc.). The program Clinical Biology can be followed by doctoral study and continue scientific work.

  The Clinical Biology study program does not have medical accreditation, this qualification can be obtained by completing an accredited qualification course “Professional Medical Laboratory Methods”.

   Study plan for Clinical Biology

• Master's thesis

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• State final exam

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Doctoral programme

• Programme Integrative biology

  Graduates of the Master's program in Clinical Biology can follow the PhD program in Integrative Biology. More information here.

Department of Medical Biology

Research groups

• Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy

  Head of the lab:

  RNDr. Jan Ženka, CSc.

  Ph.D. Students:

  Mgr. Ondřej Uher

  Mgr. Andrea Frejlachová

  Mgr. Radka Lencová

  Research focus:

  Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The incidence of cancer has been steadily rising.

  Surgery still plays a dominant role in treatment. Unfortunately, at the time of diagnosis, 30% of people have already metastasised and there is little hope of cure. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have many side effects and their effectiveness is limited. Nowadays, immunotherapy is developing very rapidly, using the patient's own immune system to fight the tumour and offering patients a new chance. However, even this therapy is not easy, as tumours are able to defend themselves against immune attack.

  The Tumour Immunotherapy Group at the Department of Medical Biology at the Faculty of Medicine, JU, led by Dr. Ženka, is trying to overcome the aforementioned ability of tumours to defend themselves against the weapons of the immune system. The immunotherapy proposed by Dr. Ženka is based on the activation of immune cells and their targeting of tumors by labeling them with phagocytic receptor ligands.

  Dr. Ženka's team is working closely with the laboratories of Professor Karel Pacak and Zhengping Zhuang (NIH, Bethesda, Maryland). 

• Laboratory of Molecular Immunology

  Head of laboratory

  Prof. RNDr. Jan Kopecký, CSc.

  Research Scientist:

  Mgr. Jaroslava Lieskovská, Ph.D.

  Ph.D. students:

  Mgr. Zuzana Beránková

  Ms. Ritesh Khanna

   Bc. a Ms. students:

  Bc. Simona Fišerová

   Hana Šmídová

  Research objective:

  Our research team is for several years focused on studying the effects of tick saliva and tick salivary components on the function of various types of immune cells. It is believed that immunomodulation of innate immune cells is one of the factors which support transmission and spreading of tick transmitted pathogens, like tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Borrelia spirochetes to host. Our overall aim is to reveal the mechanism behind tick saliva induced immunomodulation of innate immune cells, with focus on dendritic cells.

   Running projects:

  Main project of our laboratory is aimed to the analysis of cellular stress pathways induced upon infection by tick-borne encephalitis virus in skin resident cells. We hypothesize that tick saliva and tick salivary components by influencing host cellular stress responses could affect the function of immune cells and consequently pathogen transmission and spreading to host. In TBEV infected dendritic cells and macrophages we determine oxidative stress responses and unfolded protein responses (as reaction to stress on endoplasmic reticulum). We pay attention to processes like apoptosis and autophagy which are often initiated in stressed cells. And finally, as signals called DAMPS (danger associated molecular pattern) are crucial for triggering of adequate immune reaction, interference of tick saliva with DAMPs signaling is currently examined as well (more about the project).

   Collaboration with other laboratories

  Laboratory of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan

  In collaboration with Dr. Shintaro Kobayashi, an expert in field of autophagy, we solve a part of our main project concerning the importance of autophagy for TBEV replication and function of TBEV- infected macrophages and dendritic cells. The knockdown method of chosen autophagy related genes is utilized.

   Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors and Pathogens, Parasitology Institute, BC CAS ČR

  We collaborate with Dr. Ryan Rego on the project devoted to identification of genes required for dissemination of borrelia which differ in their pathogenic potential. Parameters like production of cytokines or reactive oxygen species are being tested.  

   Laboratory of Applied Plasma Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, CB

  Within the grant project, managed by Dr. Vítězslav Straňák we test biocompatibility and antibacterial features of plasma prepared thin surfaces containing covered compounds like antibiotics, copper nanoparticles, etc. To do this, the inhibition of survival and growth of tested bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Escherichia coli) as well as formation of bacterial biofilms on thin surfaces are analysed in various time intervals. Surfaces with controlled long-lasting release of antibacterial substance can be utilized in future in human medicine in preparation of various implants.

   Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, CB

  In collaboration with Dr. Ján Štěrba we work on the grant project aimed to proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of macrophages and dendritic cells infected by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). We participate mainly on preparation and sorting of cells required for infection.

   Laboratory of vector-host interaction

  Within our Department of Medical Biology we collaborate with Dr. Jindřich Chmelař in functional characterization of serpins. We focus on testing of one particular serpin from Ixodes ricinus on cytolytic activity of natural killer (NK) cells. Tested serpin in in vitro assay inhibits granzyme B, the effector molecule in NK granules.

   Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology, CAS of Czech Republic

  Research group of Dr. Pavel Hrouzek focuses on the isolation, preparation and identification of algeal metabolites with potential anti-cancerous effect. We started collaboration with this group recently with the aim to uncover the underlying mechanism of inhibitory effects of chosen metabolites. We will perform the analysis of apoptotic pathways which determine cellular survival and are often deregulated in cancer cells.  

• Laboratory of Vector-Host Interaction

  Principal investigator:

  RNDr. Jindřich Chmelař, Ph.D.

  Scientists:

  RNDr. Helena Langhansová, Ph.D.

  Ph.D. students:

  Mgr. Adéla Chlastáková

  Mgr. Jan Kotál

  Students:

  Bc. Hana Pechová

  Monika Ederová

  Lucie Hrubcová

  Research aim:

  We study the processes that occur at the interface between vector and its host. Our model is the tick Ixodes ricinus and mouse (Mus musculus). We study this interaction at molecular level, i.e. we investigate specific molecules, which are secreted via tick saliva into the host and are responsible for the modulation of host immune reaction and other defensive mechanisms, such as hemostasis. We employ reverse genetics approach. It means that in order to learn about the exact function of a given salivary protein, we first prepare this protein in recombinant form and we test it in in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation or even disease. We are using also bioinformatics tools, such as 3D modeling and phylogenetics. Our ongoing projects are focused on SERPINS - the largest superfamily of serine protease inhibitors.

  Current projects

  Serpins from the salivary glands of the tick Ixodes ricinus and their role in the vector-host interaction 

  The tick Ixodes ricinus is the most important pathogen vector in Europe. Among transmitted pathogens, Tick-borne encephalitis virus and Borrelia spirochetes are the most dangerous to human health. Tick saliva contains hundreds of different proteins that disrupt almost all host's defense mechanisms. Serpins form a specific group of tick salivary proteins due to their mode of action and pluripotency in their activities. Our research aims at the functional, biochemical and structural characterization of serpins in ticks.

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Student theses

Scientific publications

• 2021

  Billy V., Lhotská Z., Jirků M., Kadlecová O., Frgelecová L., Parfrey L.W., Jirků Pomajbíková K. (2021): Blastocystis colonization alters the gut microbiome and, in some cases, promotes faster recovery from induced colitis. Front Microbiol 12: 641483.

  Breinlinger S., Phillips T.J., Haram B.N., Mareš J., Martínez Yerena J.A., Hrouzek P., Sobotka R., Henderson W.M., Schmieder P., Williams S.M., Lauderdale J.D., Wilde H.D., Gerrin W., Kust A., Washington J.W., Wagner C., Geier B., Liebeke M., Enke H., Niedermeyer T.H.J., Wilde S.B. (2021): Hunting the eagle killer: A cyanobacterial neurotoxin causes vacuolar myelinopathy. Science 371: eaax9050.

  Chlastáková A., Kotál J., Beránková Z., Kaščáková B., Martins L.A., Langhansová H., Prudnikova T., Ederová M., Kutá Smatanová I., Kotsyfakis M., Chmelař J. (2021): Iripin-3, a new salivary protein isolated from Ixodes ricinus ticks, displays immunomodulatory and anti-hemostatic properties in vitro. Front Immunol 12: 626200.

  De Gasparo R., Pedotti M., Simonelli L., Nickl P., Muecksch F., Cassaniti I., Percivalle E., Lorenzi J.C.C., Mazzola F.., Magri D., Michalčíková T., Haviernik J., Hönig V., Mrázková B., Poláková N., Fořtová A., Turečková J., Iatsiuk V., Di Girolamo S., Palus M., Žudová D., Bednář P., Buková I., Bianchini F., Mehn D., Nencka R., Straková P., Pavliš O., Rozman J., Gioria S., Sammartino J.C., Giardina F., Gaiarsa S., Pan-Hammarstrom Q., Barnes C.O. Bjorkman P.J., Calzolai L., Piralla A., Baldanti F., Nussenzweig, M.C., Bieniasz P.D., Hatziioannou R., Procházka J., Sedláček R., Robbiani D.F., Růžek D., Varani L. (2021): Bispecific IgG neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants and prevents escape in mice. Nature 593: 424-428.

  Hájek J., Bieringer S., Voráčová K., Macho M., Sauray K., Delawská K., Divoká P., Fišer R., Mikušová G., Cheel J., Fewer D.P., Vu D.L., Paichlová J., Riepl H., Hrouzek P. (2021): Semi-synthetic puwainaphycin/minutissamide cyclic lipopeptides with improved antifungal activity and limited cytotoxicity. RSC Adv 11: 30873-30886.

  Jirků M., Lhotská Z., Frgelecová L., Kadlecová O., Petrželková K.J., Morien E., Jirků-Pomajbíková K. (2021): Helminth interactions with bacteria in the host gut are essential for its immunomodulatory effect. Microorganisms 9: 226.

  Jmel M. A., Aounallah H., Bensaoud C., Mekki I., Chmelař J., Faria F., M´ghirbi Y., Kotsyfakis M. (2021): Insights into the role of tick salivary protease inhibitors during ectoparasite-host crosstalk. Int J Mol Sci 22: 892.

  Kaščáková B., Kotál J., Martins L.A., Beránková Z., Langhansová H., Calvo E., Crossley J. A., Havlíčková P., Dyčka F., Prudnikova T., Kutý M., Kotsyfakis M., Chmelař J., Kutá Smatanová I. (2021): Structural and biochemical characterization of the novel serpin Iripin-5 from Ixodes ricinus. Acta Cryst D77: 1183-1196.

  Kotál J., Buša M., Urbanová V., Řezáčová P., Chmelař J., Langhansová H., Sojka D., Mareš M., Kotsyfakis M. (2021): Mialostatin, a novel midgut cystatin form Ixodes ricinus ticks: Crystal structure and regulation of host blood digestion. Int J Mol Sci 22: 5371.

  Kotál J., Polderdijk S. G. I., Langhansová H., Ederová M., Martins L.A., Beránková Z., Chlastáková A., Hajdušek O., Kotsyfakis M., Huntington J.A., Chmelař J. (2021): Ixodes ricinus salivary serpin Iripin-8 inhibits the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and complement. Int J Mol Sci 22: 9480.

  Kron V., Verner M., Pesl L., Smetana P., Kadlec J., Martiník D. (2021): Cholesterol and glucose profiles according to different fasting C-peptide levels: a cross-sectional analysis in a healthy cohort from the Czech Republic. J Appl Biomed 19: 220-227.

  Kuzma M., Hájek J., Hrouzek P., Gardiner A.T., Lukeš M., Moos M., Šimek P., Koblížek M., Nupur (2021): Structure elucidation of the novel carotenoid gemmatoxanthin from the photosynthetic complex of Gemmatimonas phototrophica AP64. Sci Rep 11: 15964.

  Lookian P.P., Zhao D., Medina R., Wang H., Ženka J., Gilbert M.R., Pacák K., Zhuang Z. (2021): Mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, anti-CD40 antibody (MBTA) vaccine immunotherapy: A review of current evidence and applications in glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 22: 3455.

  Martins L.A., Bensaoud C., Kotál J., Chmelař J., Kotsyfakis M. (2021): Tick salivary gland transcriptomics and proteomics. Parasite Immunol 43: e12807.

  Rindoš M., Kučerová L., Rouhová L., Sehadová H., Šerý M., Hradilová M., Koník P., Žurovec M. (2021): Comparison of silks from Pseudoips prasinana and Bombyx mori shows molecular convergence in fibroin heavy chains bud large differences in other silk components. Int J. Mol Sci 22: 8246.

  Rouhová L., Kludkiewicz B., Sehadová H., Šerý M., Kučerová L., Koník P., Žurovec M. (2021): Silk of the common clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella, a cosmopolitan pest belonging to the basal ditrysian moth line. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 130: 103527.

  Rusanov A.L., Kozhin P.M., Tikhonova O.V., Zgoda V.G., Loginov D.S., Chlastáková A., Selinger M., Štěrba J., Grubhoffer L., Luzgina N.G. (2021): Proteome profiling of PMJ2-R and primary peritoneal macrophages. Int J Mol Sci 22: 6323.

  Saha S., Bulzu P.A., Urajová P., Mareš J., Konert G., Câmara Manoel J., Macho M., Ewe D., Hrouzek P., Masojídek J., Ghai R., Saurav K. (2021): Quorum-sensing signals from epibiont mediate the induction of novel microviridins in the mat-forming cyanobacterial genus Nostoc. mSphere 14: e0056221.

  Sehadová H., Závodská R., Rouhová L., Žurovec M., Šauman I. (2021): The role of Filippi's glands in the silk moths cocoon construction. Int J Mol Sci 22:13523.

  Sehadová H., Závodská R., Žurovec M., Šauman I. (2021): The Filippi's glands of giant silk moths: to be or not to be? Insects 12:1040.

  Uher O., Caisová V., Paďouková L., Kvardová K., Masáková K., Lencová R., Frejlachová A., Skaličková M., Venhauerová A., Chlastáková A., Hansen P., Chmelař J., Kopecký J., Zhuang Z., Pacák K., Ženka J. (2021): Mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 immunotherapy in established murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma: understanding therapeutic potentials and limitations. Cancer Immunol Immunother 70: 3303-3312.

  Uher O., Huynh T.T., Zhu B., Horn L. A., Caisová V., Hadrava Váňová K., Medina R., Wang H., Palena C., Chmelař J., Zhuang Z., Ženka J., Pacák K. (2021): Identification of immune cell infiltration in murine pheochromocytoma during combined mannan-BAM, TLR ligand, and anti-CD40 antibody-based immunotherapy. Cancers 13: 3942.

  Weinbergerová B., Mayer J., Kabut T., Hrabovský Š., Procházková J., Král Z., Herout V., Pacasová R., Zdražilová-Dubská L., Husa P., Bednář P., Růžek D., Lengerová M. (2021): Successful early treatment combining remdesivir with high-titer convalescent plasma among COVID-19-infected hematological patients. Hematol Oncol 39: 715-720.

  Weyda F., Kodrík D. (2021): New fuctionally ultrastructural details of the honey bee stinger tip: serrated edge and pitted surface. J Apic Res 60: 875-878.

  You C., Jirků M., Corcoran D.L., Parker W., Jirků-Pomajbíková K. (2021): Altered gut ecosystems plus the microbiota`s potential for rapid evolution: A recipe for inevitable change with unknown consequences. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 19: 5969-5978.

  Zabelina V., Takasu Y., Sehadová H., Yonemura N., Nakajima K., Sezutsu H., Šerý M., Žurovec M., Sehnal F., Tamura T. (2021): Mutation in Bombyx mori fibrohexamerin (P25) gene causes reorganization of rough endoplasmic reticulum in posterior silk gland cells and alters morphology of fibroin secretory globules in the silk gland lumen. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 135: 103607.

• 2020

  Aounallah H., Bensaoud C., M´ghirbi Y., Faria F., Chmelař J., Kotsyfakis M. (2020): Tick salivary compounds for targeted immunomodulatory therapy. Front Immunol 11: 583845.

  Dvořáček J., Sehadová H., Weyda F., Tomčala A., Hejníková M., Kodrík D. (2020): First comprehensive study of a giant among the insects, Titanus giganteus: Basic facts from its biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy. Insects 11: 120.

  Herbrík A., Corretto E., Chroňáková A., Langhansová H., Petrásková P., Hrdý J., Čihák M., Krištůfek V., Bobek J., Petříček M., Petříčková K. (2020): A human lung-associated Streptomyces sp. TR1341 produces various secondary metabolites responsible for virulence, cytotoxicity and modulation of immune response. Front Microbiol 10: 3028.

  Jirků M., Kuchta R., Gricaj E., Modrý D., Jirků Pomajbíková K. (2020): Canine thelaziosis in the Czech Republic: The northernmost autochthonous occurrence of the eye nematode Thelazia callipaeda Railliet et Henry, 1910 in Europe. Folia Parasitol 67: 2020.010.

  Kotsarenko K., Věchtová P., Lieskovská J., Fűssy Z., Cabral-de-Mello D.C., Rego R.O.M., Alberdi P., Collins M., Bell-Sakyi L., Štěrba J., Grubhoffer L. (2020): Karyotype changes in long-term cultured tick cell lines. Sci Rep 10: 13443.

  Kust A., Řeháková K., Vrba J., Maicher V., Mareš J., Hrouzek P., Chiriac M.C., Benedová Z., Tesařová B., Saurav K. (2020): Insight into unprecedented diversity of cyanopeptides in eutrophic ponds using an MS/MS networking approach. Toxins 12: 561.

  Lhotská Z., Jirků M., Hložková O., Brožová K., Jirsová D., Stensvold C.R., Kolísko M., Jirků Pomajbíková K. (2020): A study on the prevalence and subtype diversity of the intestinal protist Blastocystis sp. in a gut-healthy human population in the Czech Republic. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 10: 544335.

  Liu Y., Pang Y., Zhu B., Uher O., Caisová V., Huynh T., Taieb D., Hadrava Váňová K., Ghayee H.K., Neužil J., Levine M., Yang C., Pacák K. (2020): Therapeutic targeting of SDHB-mutated pheocromocytoma/paraganglioma with pharmacologic ascorbic acid. Clin Cancer Res 26: 3868-3880.

  Martins L.A., Kotál J., Bensaoud C., Chmelař J., Kotsyfakis M. (2020): Small protease inhibitors in tick saliva and salivary glands and their role in tick-host-pathogen interactions. Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom 1868: 140336.

  Medina R., Wang H.R., Caisová V., Cui J., Indig, I.H., Uher O., Ye J., Nwankwo A., Sanchez V., Wu T.X., Nduom E., Heiss J., Gilbert M.R., Terabe M., Ho W., Ženka J., Pacák K., Zhuang Z.P. (2020): Induction of immune response against metastatic tumors via vaccination of mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 antibody (MBTA). Adv Ther 3: 2000044.

  Pleštilová L., Okrouhlík J., Burda H., Sehadová H., Valesky E.M., Šumbera R. (2020): Functional histology of the skin in the subterranean African giant mole-rat: thermal windows are determined solely by pelage characteristics. Peer J 8: e8883.

  Rusanov A.L., Stepanov A.A., Zgoda V.G., Kaysheva A.L., Selinger M., Mašková H., Loginov D., Štěrba J., Grubhoffer L., Luzgina N.G. (2020): Proteome dataset of mouse macrophage cell line infected with tick-borne encephalitis virus. Data Brief 28: 105029.

  Saha S., Esposito G., Urajová P., Mareš J., Ewe D., Caso A., Macho M., Delawská K., Kust A., Hrouzek P., Juráň J., Constatino V., Saurav K. (2020): Discovery of unusual cyanobacterial tryptophan-containing anabaenopetins by MS/MS-based molecular networking. Molecules 25: 3786.

  Salát J., Mikulášek K., Larralde O., Pokorná Formanová P., Chrdle A., Haviernik J., Elsterová J., Teislerová D., Palus M., Eyer L., Zdráhal Z., Petřík J., Růžek D. (2020): Tick-borne encephalitis virus vaccines contain non-structural protein 1 antigen and may elicit NS1-specifric antibody responses in vaccinated individuals. Vaccines 8: 81.

  Sehadová H., Guerra P. A., Šauman I., Reppert S. M. (2020): A re-evaluation of silk measurement by the Cecropia caterpillar (Hyalophora cecropia) during cocoon construction reveals use of a silk odometer that is temporally regulated. PLoS One 15: e0228453.

  Sehadová H., Takasu Y., Žaloudíková A., Lin Y., Šauman I., Sezutsu H., Rouhová L., Kodrík D., Žurovec H. (2020): Functional Analysis of adipokinetic hormone signaling in Bombyx mori. Cells 9: 2667.

  Shaik H.A., Mishra A., Sehadová H., Kodrík D. (2020): Responses of sericotropin to toxic and pathogenic challenges: possible role in defense of the wax moth Galleria mellonella. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 227: 108633.

  Troullinaki M., Chen L. Vitt A., Pyrina I., Phieler J., Kourtzelis I., Chmelař J., Sprott D., Gercken B., Koutsilieris M., Chavakis T., Chatzigeorgiou A. (2020): Robo4-mediated pancreatic endothelial integrity decreases inflammation and islet destruction in autoimmune diabetes. FASEB J 34: 3336-3346.

  Vaidulych, M., Pleskunov P., Kratochvíl J., Mašková H., Kočová P., Nikitin D., Hanuš J., Kylián O., Štěrba J., Biederman H., Choukourov A. (2020): Convex vs. concave surface nano-curvature of Ta₂O₅ thin films for tailoring the osteoblast adhesion. Surf Coat Technol 393: 125805.

  Weyda F., Kodrík D. (2020): New fuctionally ultrastructural details of the honey bee stinger tip: serrated edge and pitted surface. J Apic Res 59.

• 2019

  Barčák D., Yoneva A., Sehadová H., Oros M., Gustinelli A., Kuchta R. (2019): Complex insight on microanatomy of larval “human broad tapeworm” Dibothriocephalus latus (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea). Parasit Vectors 12: 408.

  Bertolini E., Schubert F.K., Zanini D., Sehadová H., Helfrich-Förster C., Menegazzi P. (2019): Life at high latitudes does not require circadian behavioral rhythmicity under constant darkness. Curr Biol 29: 3928-3936.

  Caisová V., Li L., Gupta G., Jochmanová I., Jha A., Uher O., Huynh T.T., Miettinen M., Pang Y., Abunimer L., Niu G., Chen X., Ghayee H.K., Taïeb D., Zhuang Z., Ženka J., Pacák K. (2019): The significant reduction or complete eradication of subcutaneous and metastatic lesions in a pheochromocytoma mouse model after immunotherapy using mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40. Cancers 11: 654.

  Carreras-González A., Barriales D., Palacios A., Montesinos-Robledo M., Navas N., Azkargorta M., Peña-Cearra, Tomás-Cortázar J., Escobes I., Pascual-Itoiz M.A., Hradiská J., Kopecký J., Gil-Carton D., Prados-Rosales R., Abecia L., Atondo E., Martín I., Pellón A., Elortza F., Rodríguez H., Anguita J. (2019): Regulation of macrophage activity by surface receptors contained within Borrelia burgdorferi-enriched phagosomal fractions. PLoS Pathog 15: e1008163.

  Chmelař J., Kotál J., Kovaříková A., Kotsyfakis M. (2019): The use of tick salivary proteins as novel therapeutics. Front Physiol 76: 2003-2013.

  Hönig V., Palus M., Kašpar T., Zemanová M., Majerová K., Hofmannová L., Papežík P., Sikutová S., Rettich F., Hubálek Z., Rudolf I., Votýpka J., Modrý D., Růžek D. (2019): Multiple lineages of Usutu virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) in blackbirds (Turdus merula) and mosquitoes (Culex pipiens, Cx. modestus) in the Czech Republic (2016-2019). Microorganisms 7: 568.

  Hönig V., Švec P., Marek L., Mrkvička T.,Zubriková D., Wittmann M., Masař O., Szturcová D., Růžek D., Pfister K., Grubhoffer L. (2019): Model of risk of exposure to Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis virus-infected ticks in the border area of the Czech Republic (South Bohemia) and Germany (Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate). Int J Environ Res Public Health 16: 10.3390/ijerph16071173.

  Kotál J., Stergiou N., Buša M., Chlastáková A., Beránková Z., Řezáčová P., Langhansová H., Schwarz A., Calvo E., Kopecký J., Mareš M., Schmitt E., Chmelař J., Kotsyfakis M. (2019): The structure and function of Iristatin, a novel immunosuppressive tick salivary cystatin. Cell Moll Life Sci 76: 2003-2013.

  Koubová J., Jehlík T., Kodrík D., Sábová M., Šima P., Sehadová H., Závodská R., Frydrychová Čapková R. (2019): Telomerase activity is upregulated in the fat bodies of prediapause bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris). Insect Biochem Mol Biol 115: 103241.

  Kratochvíl J., Kahoun D., Kylián O., Štěrba J., Kretková T., Kousal J., Hanuš J., Vaclová J., Prysiazhnyi V., Sezemský P., Fojtíková P., Lieskovská J., Langhansová H., Krakovský I., Straňák V. (2019): Nitrogen enriched C:H:N:O thin films for improved antibiotics doping. Appl Surf Sci 494: 301-308.

  Krejčová G., Danielová A., Nedbalová P., Kazek M., Strych L., Chawla G., Tennessen J.M., Lieskovská J., Jindra M., Doležal T., Bajgar A. (2019): Drosophila macrophages switch to aerobic glycolysis to mount effective antibacterial defense. Elife 8: e50414.

  Řežábková L., Brabec J., Jirků M., Dellerba M., Kuchta R., Modrý D., Parker W., Jirků Pomajbíková K. (2019): Genetic diversity of the potentially therapeutic tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea). Parasitol Int 71: 121-125.

  Selinger M., Tykalová H., Štěrba J., Věchtová P., Vavrušková Z., Lieskovská J., Kohl A., Schnettler E., Grubhoffer L. (2019): Tick-borne encephalitis virus inhibits rRNA synthesis and host protein production in human cells of neural origin. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 13: e0007745.

  Sobotková K., Parker W., Levá J., Růžková J., Lukeš J., Jirků Pomajbíková K. (2019): Helminth therapy – from the parasite perspective. Trends Parasitol 35: 501-515.

  Uher O., Caisová V., Hansen P., Kopecký J., Chmelař J., Zhuang Z., Ženka J., Pacák K. (2019): Coley´s immunotherapy revived: Innate immunity as a link in priming cancer cells for an attack by adaptive immunity. Semin Oncol 46: 385-392.

• 2018

  Bezawork-Geleta A., Wen H., Dong L., Yan B., Vider J., Boukalová S., Krobová L., Váňová K., Zobalová R., Sobol M., Hozák P., Novais S.M., Caisová V., Abaffy P., Naraine R., Pang Y., Zaw T., Zhang P., Šindelka R., Kubišta M., Zuryn S., Molloy M.P., Berridge M.V., Pacák K., Rohlena J., Park S., Neužil J. (2018): Alternative assembly of respiratory complex II connects energy stress to metabolic checkpoints. Nat Commun 9: 2221.

  Caisová V., Uher O., Nedbalová P., Jochmanová I., Kvardová K., Masáková K., Krejčová G., Paďouková L., Chmelař J., Kopecký J., Ženka J. (2018): Effective cancer immunotherapy based on combination of TLR agonists with stimulation of phagocytosis. Int Immunopharmacol 59: 86-96.

  Frutos E., Karlík M., Jiménez J.A., Langhansová H., Lieskovská J., Polcar T. (2018): Development of new β/α″-Ti-Nb-Zr biocompatible coating with low Young's modulus and high toughness for medical applications. Mater Des 142: 44-55.

  Hartmann D., Šíma R., Konvičková J., Perner J., Kopáček P., Sojka D. (2018): Multiple legumain isoenzymes in ticks. Int J Parasitol 48: 167-178.

  Jalovecká M., Hartmann D., Miyamoto Y., Eckmann L., Hajdušek O., O'Donoghue A.J., Sojka D. (2018): Validation of Babesia proteasome as a drug target. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 8: 394-402.

  Jirků Pomajbíková K., Jirků M., Levá J., Sobotková K., Morien E., Parfrey L.W. (2018): The benign helminth Hymenolepis diminuta ameliorates chemically induced colitis in a rat model system. Parasitology 145: 1324-1335.

  Kratochvíl J., Kahoun D., Štěrba J., Langhansová H., Lieskovská J., Fojtíková P., Hanuš J., Kousal J., Kylián O., Straňák V. (2018): Plasma polymerized C:H:N:O thin films for controlled release of antibiotic substances. Plasma Process Polym 15: 1700160.

  Kratochvíl J., Štěrba J., Lieskovská J., Langhansová H., Kuzminova A., Khalakhan I., Kylián O., Straňák V. (2018): Antibacterial effect of Cu-C:F nanocomposites deposited on PEEK substrates. Mater Lett 230: 96-99.

  Lieskovská J., Páleníková J., Langhansová H., Chmelař J., Kopecký J. (2018): Saliva of Ixodes ricinus enhances TBE virus replication in dendritic cells by modulation of pro-survival Akt pathway. Virology 514: 98-105.

  Pang Y., Lu Y., Caisová V., Liu Y., Bullová P., Huynh T.T., Zhou Y., Yu D., Fryšák Z., Hartmann I., Taïeb D., Pacák K., Yang C. (2018): Targeting NAD+/PARP DNA repair pathway as a novel therapeutic approach to SDHB-mutated cluster I pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Clin Cancer Res 24: 3423-3432.

  Růžková J., Květoňová D., Jirků M., Lhotská Z., Stensvold C.R., Parfrey L.W., Jirků Pomajbíková K. (2018): Evaluating rodent experimental models for studies of Blastocystis ST1. Exp Parasitol 191: 55-61.

  Širmarová J., Salát J., Palus M., Hönig V., Langhansová H., Holbrook M.R., Růžek D. (2018): Kyasanur Forest Disease virus infection activates human vascular endothelial cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Emerg Microbes Infect 7: 175.

  Xin M., Štěrba J., Shaliutina-Kolesova A., Dzyuba B., Lieskovská J., Boryshpolets S., Siddique M.A.M., Kholodnyy V., Lebeda I., Linhart O. (2018): Protective role of antifreeze proteins on sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) sperm during cryopreservation. Fish Physiol Biochem 44: 1527-1533.

• 2017

  Cabezas-Cruz A., Mateos-Hernández L., Chmelař J., Villar M., de la Fuente J. (2017): Salivary prostaglandin E2: Role in tick-induced allergy to red meat. Trends Parasitol 33: 495-498.

  Elsterová J., Palus M., Širmarová J., Kopecký J., Niller H.H., Růžek D. (2017): Tick-borne encephalitis virus neutralization by high dose intravenous immunoglobulin. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 8: 253-258.

  Chmelař J., Kotál J., Langhansová H., Kotsyfakis M. (2017): Protease inhibitors in tick saliva: The role of serpins and cystatins in tick-host-pathogen interaction. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 7: 216.

  Palus M., Vancová M., Širmarová J., Elsterová J., Perner J., Růžek D. (2017): Tick-borne encephalitis virus infects human brain microvascular endothelial cells without compromising blood-brain barrier integrity. Virology 507: 110-122.

  Rezková M., Kopecký J. (2017): Anti-tumour necrosis factor activity in saliva of various tick species and its appearance during the feeding period. Folia Parasitol 64: 032.

• 2016

  Caisová V., Vieru A., Kumžáková Z., Glaserová S., Husníková H., Vácová N., Krejčová G., Paďouková L., Jochmanová I., Wolf K.I., Chmelař J., Kopecký J., Ženka J. (2016): Innate immunity based cancer immunotherapy: B16-F10 murine melanoma model. BMC Cancer 16: 940.

  Černý J., Selinger M., Palus M., Vavrušková Z., Tykalová H., Bell-Sakyi L., Štěrba J., Grubhoffer L., Růžek D. (2016): Expression of a second open reading frame present in the genome of tick-borne encephalitis virus strain Neudoerfl is not detectable in infected cells. Virus Genes 52: 309-316.

  Elsterová J., Palus M., Širmarová J., Kopecký J., Niller H.H., Růžek D. (2016): Tick-borne encephalitis virus neutralization by high dose intravenous immunoglobulin. In press.

  Ergunay K., Tkachev S., Kozlova I., Růžek D. (2016): A review of methods for detecting tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in tick, animal, and human specimens. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 16: 4-12.

  Eyer L., Nencka R., Huvarová I., Palus M., Joao Alves M., Gould E.A., De Clercq E., Růžek D. (2016): Nucleoside inhibitors of Zika virus. J Infect Dis 214: 707-711.

  Eyer L., Šmídková M., Nencka R., Neča J., Kastl T., Palus M., De Clercq E., Růžek D. (2016): Structure-activity relationships of nucleoside analogues for inhibition of tick-borne encephalitis virus. Antiviral Res 133: 119-129.

  Chmelař J., Chatzigeorgiou A., Chung K.J., Prucnal M., Voehringer D., Roers A., Chavakis T. (2016): No role for mast cells in obesity-related metabolic dysregulation. Front Immunol 7: 524.

  Chmelař J., Kotál J., Karim S., Kopáček P., Francischetti I.M., Pedra J.H., Kotsyfakis M. (2015): Sialomes and mialomes: A system-biology view of tick tissues and tick-host interactions. Trends Parasitol 32: 242-254.

  Chmelař J., Kotál J., Kopecký J., Pedra J.H., Kotsyfakis M. (2016): All for one and one for all on the tick-host battlefield. Trends Parasitol, 32: 368-377.

  Valdés J.J., Gil V.A., Butterill P.T., Růžek D. (2016): An all-atom, active site expoloration of antiviral drugs that target Flaviviridae polymerases. J Gen Virol 97: 2552-2565.

  Waldmannová E., Caisová V., Fáberová J., Sváčková P., Kovářová M., Sváčková D., Kumžáková Z., Jačková A., Vácová N., Nedbalová P., Horká M., Kopecký J., Ženka J. (2016): The use of Zymosan A and bacteria anchored to tumor cells for effective cancer immunotherapy: B16-F10 murine melanoma model. Int Immunopharmacol 39: 295-306.

  Wang X., Shaw D.K., Sakhon O.S., Snyder G.A., Sundberg E.J., Santambrogio L., Sutterwala F.S., Dumler J.S., Shirey K.A., Perkins D.J., Richard K., Chagas A.C., Calvo E., Kopecký J., Kotsyfakis M., Pedra J.H. (2016): The tick protein sialostatin L2 binds to annexin A2 and inhibits NLRC4-mediated inflammasome activation. Infect Immun 84: 1796-1805.

  Zouharová D., Lipenská I., Fojtíková M., Kulich P., Neča J., Slaný M., Kovařčík K., Turánek-Knötigová P., Hubatka F., Celechovská H., Mašek J., Koudelka S., Procházka L., Eyer L., Plocková J., Bartheldyová E., Miller A.D., Růžek D., Raška M., Janeba Z., Turánek J. (2016): Antiviral activities of 2,6-diaminopurine-based acyclic nukleoside phosphonates against herpesviruses: In vitro study results with pseudorabies virus (PrV, SuHV-1). Vet Microbiol 184: 84-93.

• 2015

  Bílý T., Palus M. Eyer L., Elsterová J., Vancová M., Růžek D. (2015): Electron tomography analysis of tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in human neurons. Sci Rep 5: 10745.

  Chmelař J., Kotál J., Karim S., Kopáček P., Francischetti I.M., Pedra J.H., Kotsyfakis M. (2015): Sialomes and mialomes: A system-biology view of tick tissues and tick-host interactions. Trends Parasitol, doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.10.002. [Epub ahead of print]

  Elsterová J., Černý J., Müllerová J., Šíma R., Coulson S.J., Lorentzen E., Strom H., Grubhoffer L. (2015): Search for tick-borne pathogens in the Svalbard Archipelago and Jan Mayen. Polar Res 34: 27466.

  Eyer L., Valdés J.J., Gil V.A., Nencka R., Hřebabecký H., Šála M., Salát J., Černý J., Palus M., De Clercq E., Růžek D. (2015): Nucleoside inhibitors of tick-borne encephalitis virus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 59: 5483-5493.

  Formanová P., Černý J., Bolfíková-Černá B., Valdés J.J., Kozlová I., Dzhioev Y., Růžek D. (2015): Full genome sequences and molecular characterization of tick-borne encephalitis virus strains isolated form human patients. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 6: 38-46.

  Hönig V., Švec P., Halas P., Vavrušková Z., Tykalová H., Kilian P., Vetišková V., Dorňáková V., Štěrbová J., Šimonová Z., Erhart J., Štěrba J., Golovchenko M., Rudenko N., Grubhoffer L. (2015): Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in South Bohemia (Czech Republic): Spatial variability in Ixodes ricinus abundance, Borrelia burgdorferi and tick-borne encephalitis virus prevalence. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 6: 559-567.

  Klein M., Brühl T.J., Staudt V., Reuter S., Grebe N., Gerlitzki B., Hoffmann M., Bohn T., Ulges A., Stergiou N., de Graaf J., Löwer M., Taube C., Becker M., Hain T., Dietzen S., Stassen M., Huber M., Lohoff M., Chagas A.C., Andersen J., Kotál J., Langhansová H., Kopecký J., Schild H., Kotsyfakis M., Schmitt E., Bopp T. (2015): Tick salivary sialostatin L represses the initiation of immune responses by targeting IRF4-dependent transcription in murine mast cells. J Immunol 195: 621-631.

  Kodrík, D., Stašková T., Jedličková V., Weyda F., Závodská R., Pflegerová J. (2015): Molecular characterization, tissue distribution, and ultrastructural localization of adipokinetic hormones in the CNS of the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteropetra, Insecta). Gen Comp Endocr 210: 1-11.

  Kotál J., Langhansová H., Lieskovská J., Andersen J.F, Francischetti I.M., Chavakis T., Kopecký J., Pedra J.H., Kotsyfakis M., Chmelař J. (2015): Modulation of host immunity by tick saliva. J Proteomics 128: 58-68.

  Langhansová H., Bopp T., Schmitt E., Kopecký J. (2015): Tick saliva increases production of three chemokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a histamine-releasing cytokine. Parasite Immunol 37: 92-96.

  Lieskovská J., Páleníková J., Langhansová H., Chagas A.C., Calvo E., Kotsyfakis M., Kopecký J. (2015): Tick sialostatins L and L2 differentially influence dendritic cell responses to Borrelia spirochetes. Parasite Vector 8: DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0887-1.

  Lieskovská J., Páleníková J., Širmarová J., Elsterová J., Kotsyfakis M., Chagas A.C., Calvo E., Růžek D., Kopecký J. (2015): Tick salivary cystatin sialostatin L2 suppresses IFN responses in mouse dendritic cells. Parasite Immunol 37: 70-78.

  Páleníková J., Lieskovská J., Langhansová H., Kotsyfakis M., Chmelař J., Kopecký J. (2015): Ixodes ricinus salivary serpin IRS-2 affects Th17 differentiation via inhibition of the interleukin-6/STAT-3 signaling pathway. Infect Immun 83: 1949-1956.

  Palus M., Formanová P., Salát J., Žampachová E., Elsterová J., Růžek D. (2015): Analysis of serum levels of cytokines chemokines, growth factors, and monoamine neurotransmitters in patients with tick-borne encephalitis: Identification of novel inflammatory markers with implications for pathogenesis. J Med Virol 87: 885-892.

  Procházka A., Dammer J., Weyda F., Sopko V., Beneš J., Zeman J., Jandejsek I. (2015): Biological object recognition in µ-radiography images. J Inst 10: C03023.

  Strnad M., Elsterová J., Schrenková J., Vancová M., Rego R.O., Grubhoffer L., Nebesářová J. (2015): Correlative cryo-fluorescence and cryo-scanning electron microscopy as a straightforward tool to study host-pathogen interactions. Sci Rep doi: 10.1038/srep18029.

  Weisheit S., Villar M., Tykalová H., Popara M., Loecherbach J., Watson M., Růžek D., Grubhoffer L., de la Fuente J., Fazakerley J.K., Bell-Sakyi L. (2015): Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes ricinus tick cell lines respond to infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus: transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. Parasit Vectors, doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-1210-x.

  Weyda F., Pflegerová J., Stašková T., Tomčala A., Prenerová E., Zemek R., Volter L., Kodrík D. (2015): Ultrastructural and biochemical comparison of summer active and summer diapausing pupae of the horse chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). Eur J Entomol 112: 197-203.

Department of Medical Biology

Documents

• Bachelor and Master studies

  • On the organization of the Bachelor’s and Master’s study programmes at FSci USB
  • On the Submission of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Master´s Theses at the Faculty of Science, USB
  • Forms for students FSci USB

• Doctoral studies

  • Academic policies and regulations in doctoral studies