Laboratory of molecular biology

The highlighted research topics of the laboratory of molecular biology is the study of molecular mechanisms participating in the pathogenesis of tumour diseases and also that of mechanisms responsible for the development of the chemical resistance of tumour cells. 

One of the main research objectives of the lab is studying the tumour-specific protein kinases. We investigate the metabolism of selected inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, namely the small molecules inhibiting the activity of receptor kinases and their impact upon the transfer of down-stream signals that are essential for a tumour cell.

Laboratory of molecular biology

 

Another key issue is the group of low-molecular proteins capable of sequestering metals, namely the metal-thioneins. Sequestering metals and extinguishing free radicals can substantially affect the effectiveness of certain cytostatic groups. Thus new knowledge relating to the role of selected sub/iso-forms of metal-thioneins can improve the existing therapy of tumour diseases and facilitate the personalization of therapy.

The lab is equipped with appropriate instrumental technology – laminar boxes, incubators with controlled atmosphere, cell counter, confocal laser scanning microscope, through-flow cytometer, PCR cyclers, cDNA microarray as well as electrophoretic appliances and western blotting. Techniques of stable or transient genome editing are used for functional analysis.

po photo

Ing. et Ing. Petr Michálek, Ph.D.

Head – Laboratory of molecular biology
Assistant Professor

Phone: 420 545 133 274
Address: ÚCB AF, Zemědělská 1, 61300 Brno – Building D
Office: BA02N3016
Email: petrmichalek85@gmail.com

Team members

  • Ing. et Ing. Petr Michálek, Ph.D.
  • M.Sc. Ana Maria Jimenez Jimenez, Ph.D.
  • M.Sc. Miguel Angel Merlos Rodrigo, Ph.D.
  • Ing. Vladislav Strmiska, Ph.D.
  • Mgr. Zbyněk Šplíchal, Ph.D.
  • Ing. František Petrlák
  • Ing. Veronika Šmídová
  • Ing. Hana Šubrtová

Topics of Ph.D. theses

  • Volné téma – v případě zájmu kontaktujte vedoucího výzkumné skupiny
  • Optional topic

Publications

  • MERLOS, M. A. R.; MICHALKOVA, H.; STRMISKA, V.; CASAR, B.; CRESPO, P.; DE LOS RIOS, V.; CASAL, J. I.; HADDAD, H.; GURAN, R.; ECKSCHLAGER, T.; POKORNA, P.; HEGER, Z.; ADAM, V. Metallothionein-3 promotes cisplatin chemoresistance remodelling in neuroblastoma. Sci. Rep., 2021, vol. 11. p. 1-14. ISSN 2045-2322. IF 4.379
  • MERLOS, M. A. R.; CASAR, B.; MICHALKOVA, H.; JIMENEZ JIMENEZ, A. M.; HEGER, Z.; ADAM, V. Extending the applicability of In ovo and ex ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane assays to study cytostatic activity in neuroblastoma cells. Front. Oncol., 2021, vol. 11. p. 1-10. ISSN 2234-943X. IF 6.244
  • ASSERGHINE, A.; ASHRAFI, A.; MUKHERJEE, A.; PETRLAK, F.; HEGER, Z.; SVEC, P.; RICHTERA, L.; NAGY, L.; SOUTO, R. M.; NAGY, G.; ADAM, V. In situ investigation of the cytotoxic and interfacial characteristics of titanium when galvanically coupled with magnesium using scanning electrochemical microscopy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2021, vol. 13. p. 43587-43596. ISSN 1944-8244. IF 9.229
  • SMIDOVA, V.; MICHALEK, P.; GOLIASOVA, Z.; ECKSCHLAGER, T.; HODEK, P.; ADAM, V.; HEGER, Z. Nanomedicine of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Theranostics, 2021, vol. 11. p. 1546-1567. ISSN 1838-7640. IF 11.556
  • Tesarova, B.; Dostalova, S.; Smidova, V.; Goliasova, Z.; Skubalova, Z.; Michalkova, H.; Hynek, D.; Michalek, P.; Polanska, H.; Vaculovicova, M.; Hacek, J.; Eckschlager, T.; Stiborova, M.; Pires, A. S.; Neves, A. R. M.; Abrantes, A. M.; Rodrigues, T.; Matafome, P.; Botelho, M. F.; Teixeira, P.; Mendes, F.; Heger, Z.; Surface-PASylation of ferritin to form stealth nanovehicles enhances in vivo therapeutic performance of encapsulated ellipticine. Appl. Mater. Today, 2020, 18, art. no. 100501. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2019.100501.

  • Michalkova, H.; Skubalova, Z.; Sopha, H.; Strmiska, V.; Tesarova, B.; Dostalova, S.; Svec, P.; Hromadko, L.; Motola, M.; Macak, J. M.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Complex cytotoxicity mechanism of bundles formed from self-organised 1-D anodic TiO2 nanotubes layers. J. Hazard. Mater. 2020, 388, art. no. 122054. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122054.

  • Moulick, A.; Heger, Z.; Milosavljevic, V.; Richtera, L.; Barroso-Flores, J.; Rodrigo, M. A. M.; Buchtelova, H.; Podgajny, R.; Hynek, D.; Kopel, P.; Adam, V.; Real-time visualization of cell membrane damage using gadolinium-Schiff base complex-doped quantum dots. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2018, 10, 35859-35868. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b15868.

  • Buchtelova, H.; Strmiska, V.; Skubalova, Z.; Dostalova, S.; Michalek, P.; Krizkova, S.; Hynek, D.; Kalina, L.; Richtera, L.; Moulick, A.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Improving cytocompatibility of CdTe quantum dots by Schiff-base-coordinated lanthanides surface doping. J. Nanobiotechnol. 2018, 16, art. no. 43. DOI: 10.1186/s12951-018-0369-7.

  • Smidova, V.; Michalek, P.; Goliasova, Z.; Eckschlager, T.; Hodek, P.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Nanomedicine of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Theranostics, 2021, 11(4), 1546-1567. DOI: 10.7150/thno.48662.

  • Strmiska, V.; Michalek, P.; Lackova, Z.; Guran, R.; Krizkova, S.; Vanickova, L.; Zitka, O.; Stiborova, M.; Eckschlager, T.; Klejdus, B.; Pacik, D.; Tvrdikova, E.; Keil, C.; Haase, H.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Sarcosine is a prostate epigenetic modifier that elicits aberrant methylation patterns through the SAMe-Dnmts axis. Mol. Oncol. 2019, 13, 1002-1017. DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12439.
  • Skubalova, Z.; Michalkova, H.; Michalek, P.; Strmiska, V.; Guran, R.; Merlos, M. A. R.; Castkova, K.; Hynek, D.; Pekarik, V.; Zitka, O.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Prevalent anatase crystalline phase increases the cytotoxicity of biphasic titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mammalian cells. Colloid Surf. B-Biointerfaces 2019, 182, 1-10. DOI: 1.
  • Strmiska, V.; Michalek, P.; Eckschlager, T.; Stiborova, M.; Adam, V.; Krizkova, S.; Heger, Z.; Prostate cancer-specific hallmarks of amino acids metabolism: Towards a paradigm of precision medicine. Biochim. Biophys. Acta-Rev. Cancer 2019, 1871, 248-258. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.01.001.
  • Tesarova, B.; Charousova, M.; Dostalova, S.; Bienko, A.; Kopel, P.; Kruszynski, R.; Hynek, D.; Michalek, P.; Eckschlager, T.; Stiborova, M.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Folic acid-mediated re-shuttling of ferritin receptor specificity towards a selective delivery of highly cytotoxic nickel(II) coordination compounds. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2019, 126, 1099-1111. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.12.128.
  • Jelinkova, P.; Mazumdar, A.; Sur, V. P.; Kociova, S.; Dolezelikova, K.; Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Koudelkova, Z.; Mishra, P. K.; Smerkova, K.; Heger, Z.; Vaculovicova, M.; Moulick, A.; Adam, V.; Nanoparticle-drug conjugates treating bacterial infections. J. Control. Release 2019, 307, 166-185. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.06.013.
  • Buchtelova, H.; Skubalova, Z.; Strmiska, V.; Michalek, P.; Kociova, S.; Smerkova, K.; Kruszynski,; Bienko,; Kaj,; Lewinska,; Bienko,; Malik-Gajewska,; Milosavljevic,; Kopel,; Heger,; Adam, V.; Synthesis and structural characterization of antimicrobial binuclear copper (II) coordination compounds bridged by hydroxy- and/or thiodipropionic acid. J. Inorg. Biochem. 2019, 191, 8-20. DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.10.011.
  • Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Moulick, A.; Bhowmick, S.; Strmiska, V.; Gagic, M.; Horakova, Z.; Kostrica, R.; Masarik, M.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; One-step detection of human papilloma viral infection using quantum dot-nucleotide interaction specificity. Talanta 2019, 205, 1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.07.006.
  • Michalkova, H.; Strmiska, V.; Kudr, J.; Skubalova, Z.; Tesarova, B.; Svec, P.; Richtera, L.; Zitka, O.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Tuning the surface coating of IONs towards efficient sonochemical tethering and sustained liberation of topoisomerase II poisons. Int. J. Nanomed. 2019, 14, 7609. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S208810.
  • Merlos, M. A. R.; Buchtelova, H.; Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Adam, P.; Babula, P.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; Transcriptomic landscape of cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. Cells 2019, 8, 1-19. DOI: 10.3390/cells8030235.
  • Gumulec, J.; Raudenska, M.; Pacik, D.; Plevova, M.; Sorokac-Kubolkova, A.; Lackova, Z.; Cernei, N.; Strmiska, V.; Zitka, O.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; Post- treatment urinary sarcosine as a predictor of recurrent relapses in patients with prostate cancer. Cancer Med. 2018, 7, 5411-5419. DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1767.
  • Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Moulick, A.; Richtera, L.; Krejcova, L.; Kalina, L.; Datta, R.; Svobodova, M.; Hynek, D.; Masarik, M.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; Dual-color quantum dots-based simultaneous detection of HPV-HIV co-infection. Sens. Actuator B-Chem. 2018, 258, 295-303. DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2017.11.074.
  • Pacik, D.; Plevova, M.; Urbanova, L.; Lackova, Z.; Strmiska, V.; Necas, A.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; Identification of sarcosine as a target molecule for the canine olfactory detection of prostate carcinoma. Sci. Rep. 2018, 8, 1-5. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23072-4.
  • Buchtelova, H.; Strmiska, V.; Skubalova, Z.; Dostalova, S.; Michalek, P.; Krizkova, S.; Hynek, D.; Kalina, L.; Richtera, L.; Moulick, A.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; Improving cytocompatibility of CdTe quantum dots by Schiff-base-coordinated lanthanides surface doping. J. Nanobiotechnol. 2018, 16, 1-14. DOI: 10.1186/s12951-018-0369-7.
  • Jelinkova, P.; Splichal, Z.; Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Haddad, Y.; Mazumdar, A.; Sur, V. P.; Milosavljevic, V.; Kopel, P.; Buchtelova, H.; Guran, R.; Zitka, O.; Richtera, L.; Hegerova, D.; Heger, Z.; Moulick, A.; Adam, V.; Novel vancomycin–peptide conjugate as potent antibacterial agent against vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Infect. Drug Resistance 2018, 2018, 1807. DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S160975.
  • Vrsanska, M.; Voberkova, S.; Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Strmiska, V.; Adam, V.; Preparation and optimisation of cross-linked enzyme aggregates using native isolate white rot fungi Trametes versicolor and Fomes fomentarius for the decolourisation of synthetic dyes. Int. J. Environ. Res. Pub. Health 2018, 15, 1-15. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010023.
  • Merlos, M. A. R.; Dostalova, S.; Buchtelova, H.; Strmiska, V.; Michalek, P.; Krizkova, S.; Vicha, A.; Jencova, P.; Eckschlager, T.; Stiborova, M.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; Comparative gene expression profiling of human metallothionein-3 up-regulation in neuroblastoma cells and its impact on susceptibility to cisplatin . OncoTarget 2018, 9, 4427-4439. DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23333.
  • Buchtelova, H.; Strmiska, V.; Dostalova, S.; Michalek, P.; Krizkova, S.; Kopel, P.; Hynek, D.; Richtera, L.; Adam, V.; Heger, Z.; pH-responsive hybrid organic–inorganic ruthenium nanoparticles for controlled release of doxorubicin. Part. Part. Syst. Charact. 2017, 34, 1-9. DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.201700289.
  • Buchtelova, H.; Dostalova, S.; Michalek, P.; Krizkova, S.; Strmiska, V.; Kopel, P.; Hynek, D.; Richtera, L.; Ridoskova, A.; Adam, P.; Kynicky, J.; Brtnicky, M.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; Size-related cytotoxicological aspects of polyvinylpyrrolidone-capped platinum nanoparticles. Food Chem. Toxicol. 2017, 105, 337-346. DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.04.043.
  • Cihalova, K.; Hegerova, D.; Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Milosavljevic, V.; Kudr, J.; Skalickova, S.; Hynek, D.; Kopel, P.; Vaculovicova, M.; Adam, V.; Antibody-free detection of infectious bacteria using quantum dots-based barcode assay. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2017, 134, 325-332. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.10.025.
  • Jimenez Jimenez, A. M.; Merlos, M. A. R.; Milosavljevic, V.; Krizkova, S.; Kopel, P.; Heger, Z.; Adam, V.; Gold nanoparticles-modified nanomaghemite and quantum dots-based hybridization assay for detection of HPV. Sens. Actuator B-Chem. 2017, 240, 503. DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2016.08.091.