Terezie Mandáková from CEITEC, a research institute of Masaryk University, received the Czech Science Foundation President’s Award in 2020. We present an interview with her and her colleague Ales Kovařík from the Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, with whom she jointly works on projects funded by the Czech Science Foundation. In this interview, prepared by CEITEC, you will learn how their research on plants is progressing, how this research can help to face global challenges, and how humour and sense of perspective help to cope with the enormous burden that research can mean for personal life.
Some growers talk to their plants. Beyond the psychological impact on humans, does this also affect plants? Do you also talk to plants in the lab?
Terezie Mandáková (TM): While plants likely don’t “hear” words the way we do, they are sensitive to their environmental, including sound. Research has shown that sound vibrations can influence plant growth. For instance, studies suggest that exposing plants to certain sound frequencies can stimulate their development. Sounds akin to human conversation may promote fluid movement within plants, potentially benefiting their metabolism. As for me, do I talk to them? Well, sometimes I sing in the lab (laughs). It lightens the mood and creates a more relaxed atmosphere.
Aleš Kovařík (AK): You observe them more closely, checking on how they’re doing, and you strive to provide the best possible conditions. This added care definitely has a positive effect on plant health. It’s similar to raising children – the more time, love, and attention you give them, the better the outcome. So, from both a scientific and psychological perspectives, it’s a lovely way to connect with nature.
Gossypium hirsutum (Cotton Plant) has chromosomes from both parents. It has a higher fibre yield and drought resistance
It seems that the combination of feminine and masculine elements in your research partnership works remarkably well. What makes you such effective collaborators?
TM: What truly enhances our project is how our different perspectives enrich our work. It’s not about whether the team is exclusively male, female, or mixed – what matters is maintaining an open mind and welcoming diverse opinions. This approach fosters team energy and creativity. While we sometimes feel pressure to boost the number of women in projects at all costs, I believe research should not focus on quotas. Ultimately, it’s the talent and skills each individual brings to the team that lead to innovative outcomes.
AK: We have been working together for several years, and we complement each other perfectly, despite the generation gap. The younger CEITEC team brings knowledge of modern technologies and innovative methods, while I contribute experience and best practices. This blend of youth and experience creates unique opportunities for research development. For instance, when we worked on a project funded by the Czech Science Foundation (GACR), this dynamic proved highly effective. We successfully secured two grant projects and are currently working on another.
Both of you are involved in joint research on hybrid and allopolyploid plants. I understand that a hybrid plant is an offspring resulting from the crossing of two different species or varieties, but what exactly is an allopolyploid?
AK: Generally, hybrids tend to be infertile. A classic example is the mule or the hinny, which are crossbreeds between horses and donkeys. While these hybrids are strong and vigorous, they cannot produce offspring. This is where allopolyploidy comes into play, as it can ensure the fertility of hybrids, potentially leading to the creation of new species. In a typical hybrid, the offspring receives one set of chromosomes from each parent. In contrast, an allopolyploid has duplicated sets, meaning it has two complete sets of chromosomes. This “double dose” of genetic material often gives plants unique characteristics. A prime example is wheat, which results from crossing three different grass species, leading to six sets of chromosomes. This genetic complexity contributes to wheat’ greater resistance and improved growth traits.
What exactly are you focusing on with hybrid and allopolyploid plants?
TM: We’re interested in how their genes change and adapt. We study the mechanisms that influence the function of ribosomal DNA and ribosomes. In simple terms, we examinate how genetic differences between the parent plants are expressed in allopolyploids and how this impacts ribosome formation and the plants’ adaptability to various conditions. Our research contributes to better understanding of plant evolution, the origin of new species, and the factors that influence their genetic diversity.
Examples of cytogentic study of bittercress
How are ribosomes and ribosomal DNA related?
TM: Imagine that in every cell, whether in your body or in plants, there is a little factory that constantly produces the essential building blocks – proteins. This factory is called a ribosome. To function properly, ribosomes need instructions, and that’s where ribosomal DNA, or rDNA, comes in. It serves as a library that stores the blueprints ribosomes use to assemble proteins.
AK: We recently published a paper in The Plant Journal exploring why nature has provided these factories with two different types of blueprints and the significance of each. While we know quite a bit about 35S rDNA, the 5S rDNA we study remains largely a mystery, particularly in hybrid and allopolyploid plants where the genomes of different species are combined.
How do you unravel this mystery, and what have you found in your research?
TM: Our research focuses on three species of bittercress, a meadow plant that serves as a “lab mouse” for our studies. We have discovered something akin to a revolution in the ribosomal factory. Imagine two factories producing similar products merging to create innovative new ones, using the best components from both. In allopolyploid plants, the genetic materials from both parent species combine to form what we call chimeric ribosomes. Interestingly, during this process, some genes are often “switched off”. This likely happens because the cell needs to simplify its genetic makeup and stabilise its functions.
AK: When a cell receives multiple copies of the same or similar genes during hybridisation or polyploidisation, it can lead to overload and unbalanced activity. This is where epigenetic regulation comes into play, helping cells avoid issues like overproduction of molecules or malfunctioning cellular processes. By silencing certain genes, plants can more effectively process genetic information from both parents and adapt to new conditions.
T. Mandáková, A. Kovařík
Gene switching likely did not emerge overnight; rather, it is probably an integral part of plant evolution. What are the implications for the plant kingdom?
AK: The implications are significant. Gene silencing acts like a silent conductor, guiding how a plant responds to environmental changes. It can silence genes from one parent while activating genes from the other, allowing the plant to optimize its adaptability in a given environment. This process can even cause different populations of the same species to activate or silence distinct combinations of genes, ultimately leading to genetically unique lineages. Such mechanisms promote evolutionary diversification and can lead to the origin of new species that are better adapted to specific conditions.
Listening to you, it seems almost impossible to fit research into a standard eight-hour workday. How do you manage to juggle your demanding scientific work with your personal life?
TM:The key is balance and effective time management. When science is also your hobby, you find joy in it, which helps recharge you during challenging moments. However, it’s crucial to maintain clear boundaries between work and personal life, set priorities, and sometimes even laugh at your own mistakes. Humour and perspective, in my opinion, are essential for success and satisfaction both at work and at home.
AK: I completely agree with Teri. However, like any hobby, a passion for science must be tempered. If you become overly zealous, you can easily get lost in research that leads nowhere. Having a strong background in family, engaging in cultural activities, or participating in sports not only provides balance, but also fosters important self-reflection that helps clarify what truly matters. For instance, I love volunteering at a kids’ summer camp; it reminds me that the challenges at work aren’t as overwhelming as they may seem. Conversely, a scientific approach can enhance your ability to critically evaluate information in the media and on social networks.
Strawberry cultivars are derived from Fragaria × ananassa which arose in 17th century by a chance interspecific hybridisation
Most people don’t find plant research as attractive as, say, developing a cure for cancer. What draws you to the study of plants?
TM: Plants are literally the cornerstones of life on Earth. Without them, we wouldn’t have food or oxygen. Plant research is vital for our future because it helps us understand how to ensure food security and protect the environment. What many people may not realize is that many medicines, including those for cancer, are derived from plants, which provide essential raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, studying plants is not only fascinating but also crucial for sustaining life on Earth.
AK:Our work is a piece of a mosaic that reveals the bigger picture of how plants function and how they can help address global challenges. We study how ribosomes and genetic diversity enable plants to survive and thrive even in extreme conditions. This research is essential for developing crops that can meet challenges like climate change and food security for a growing population. Additionally, we recognise that our research intersects with other fields; for instance, we know that ribosomes in cancer cells differ from those in healthy cells, which could lead to more targeted cancer treatments. Ultimately, our work offers hope that we may one day discover plants with remarkable properties that we can hardly predict today. That’s what keeps us moving forward.
Dr. Paioti from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS leads a prestigious JUNIOR STAR project investigating atropisomers — molecules with potential to revolutionize drug development. He and his team are developing innovative synthesis methods to discover and produce vital pharmaceuticals in more sustainable ways.
Precision of molecular interactions
Dr. Paioti, the principal investigator of the project, became fascinated with chemistry during his university studies, when he discovered the intricate dance of molecules and their effects on the properties of substances. “Much of the beauty in chemistry,” he says, “comes from understanding how molecules interact at the molecular level and how this affects a property that can actually be seen or felt.” One example he is impressed with is that of vincristine, a structurally complex organic molecule that after entering the human body specifically chooses to target cancer cells, showcasing the precision of these molecular interactions.
Atropisomers: key to sustainable drug development?
Dr. Paioti and his team focus on atropisomers — a class of molecules with significant potential in pharmaceutical applications. More accurately, their goal is to develop new methods for synthesizing these molecules while minimizing environmental harm. “Atropisomers are crucial for the future of drug development, and our work aims to expand the repertoire of available compounds, potentially leading to groundbreaking treatments for various diseases,” explains the scientist.
If successful, Dr. Paioti’s project could have a profound impact on both health and sustainability. “In the long term, the project can lead to new pharmaceuticals that can fight deadly diseases such as cancer,” he notes. Additionally, the research could pioneer more eco-friendly chemical processes. For instance, he and his team are developing nickel-catalyzed reactions as a much less toxic alternative to palladium-catalyzed processes, which are also more costly and less common in nature. By utilizing nickel, Dr. Paioti hopes to create more sustainable and accessible methods for producing vital pharmaceuticals.
The importance of international collaboration
This JUNIOR STAR project is inherently international, reflecting Dr. Paioti’s belief that “science should have no borders”. After studying chemistry in Brazil, completing his PhD in the USA, followed by a postdoc in France, his career path led him to Czechia. After all these experiences, he deeply values the diverse perspectives that come from a multicultural team. His current group includes members of five different nationalities. “The project will only be truly successful if we collaborate with researchers from abroad as well from here,” he says, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in scientific success and progress.
The scientific team from the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice led by Jan Mráz, has made significant discoveries in the field of fishpond management and fish nutrition in the ponds.
Thanks to a GACR Standard project 22-18597S, they have discovered that the natural food and ecosystem in ponds can significantly improve the digestion of carps. Specifically, plankton and the pond environment work together to break down tough foods such as cellulose, chitin, and phosphorus in the fish’s stomach. Interestingly, during periods when the water is clear and low in algae but high in tiny zooplankton, carp digestion improves even more. This “Synergistic Digestibility Effect,” theorized in 2022 and confirmed in the researchers’ current study, could help manage fishponds more efficiently in the future (Fig 1).
Fig. 1: (BioRender JA26MXISBO)
Another discovery revealed how fish manage phosphorus in shallow lakes, which has a significant impact on algae growth. In a feeding state (active metabolism), fish typically balance their nutrient levels by releasing excess nitrogen and phosphorus, benefiting algal growth.
Fish can store more phosphorus and supply less to algae when the food base is selectively rich in lysine + methionine in overall intake protein and non-protein energy (i.e., carbohydrate and lipid energy share in overall intake energy). To the extent that there could be potential phosphorus absorption from water. Conversely, a lack of these nutrients in the food base leads to increased phosphorus release by fish, promoting algal growth. Scaly fish tend to recycle less phosphorus for algae than scaleless fish.
Their research suggests that not all carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus in aquatic food webs are equally important for predicting phosphorus recycling by fish. Certain forms of nitrogen or carbon are more influential in regulating phosphorus levels. Balancing fish diets artificially and maintaining stocks of scaly fish might offer future solutions for managing eutrophication. For a deeper dive into the findings of Associate Professor Mráz and his team, read the full study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment (Fig 2).
Fig. 2: (BioRender MQ26VEPQTJ)
These findings from the GACR project 22-18597S are a significant step forward in the realm of nutritional ecology of aquatic consumers and the ecological stoichiometry theory of freshwaters. The findings are valuable for managing nutrient cycles and eutrophication of shallow lake ecosystems, including fishponds. The research team also respected open science practice, as the datasets were made publicly available with the publications.
Written by: Koushik Roy, Ph.D., doc. Antonin Kouba, Ph.D.
Roy, K., Kajgrova, L., Capkova, L., Zabransky, L., Petraskova, E., Dvorak, P., Nahlik, V., Kuebutornye, F.K.A., Blabolil, P., Blaha, M., Vrba, J. and Mraz, J., 2024. Synergistic digestibility effect by planktonic natural food and habitat renders high digestion efficiency in agastric aquatic consumers. Science of the Total Environment, 927, 172105. (IF 2023: 9.8). Linked Dataset.
Roy, K., Vrba, J., Kuebutornye, F.K., Dvorak, P., Kajgrova, L. and Mraz, J., 2024. Fish stocks as phosphorus sources or sinks: Influenced by nutritional and metabolic variations, not solely by dietary content and stoichiometry. Science of the Total Environment 938, 173611. (IF 2023: 9.8). Linked Dataset.
During the process of meiosis, which is necessary for sexual reproduction, DNA breaks occur, and repairs take place. PARG-1, a key regulator, plays a role in maintaining genome integrity and offers insights relevant to human health. Thanks to a Standard Grant provided by The Czech Science Foundation to Nicola Silva at Masaryk University, he was able to explore the complexities of DNA repair dynamics in the germ line.
Human cells consist of 46 chromosomes, half of which are received from our mother and the other half from our father. During development, all sexually reproducing organisms undergo a process called meiosis, in which chromosome number is reduced by half into the newly formed germ cells, oocytes and sperm. Upon fertilization, the genetic information carried by oocyte and sperm fuses into the zygote, thus reconstituting the original number of chromosomes.
Several mechanisms exist in meiosis to ensure that each gamete, sperm and oocyte, receives the right number of chromosomes. If the process is inaccurate and leads to the production of dysfunctional gametes, it can result in the transmission of inheritable mutations to the offspring.
One key aspect of meiosis is the exchange of physical DNA sequences within each pair of maternal and parental homologous chromosome in a process called Homologous Recombination. DNA lesions called double-strand breaks (DSBs) are created, maternal and parental chromosomes physically connect and exchange DNA sequences to achieve repair of these breaks, resulting in the formation of a crossover.
Crossovers are essential for faithful segregation of chromosomes into the daughter cells, and at the same time they lead to reshuffling of genetic traits, promoting genetic diversity. However, the number of breaks produced during meiosis in the germ cells greatly surpasses the final number of crossovers, indicating that repair systems that use homologous sequences to restore genome integrity can also produce non-crossovers events.
Tight regulation of the number of DNA double-strand breaks
DNA interruptions carry an intrinsic threat to genome integrity, therefore their number, placement across the genome, as well as the activation of the DNA repair system(s) in charge to resolve them, must be tightly regulated. Several genes involved in the regulation of DNA repair have been identified over the years and mutations in virtually any of these contribute to the development of cancer-prone syndromes in humans, such as breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1/BRCA2, Fanconi Anaemia, and many others.
One way of controlling DNA repair is through the attachment of chemical groups to a protein after synthesis or the removal of signal peptides after cellular localization in a process called post-translational modification. One of the major changes that occur in response to DNA damage is Poly(ADP)ribosylation (PARylation), a process in which ADP-ribose units are added to substrates to regulate their activity. Although extensively studied in ex vivo models, examining PARylation in living organisms has been challenging in mammals due to the embryonic lethality associated with the complete loss of function mutations in its “writers,” PARP1/2. These enzymes are responsible for synthesizing ADP-ribose chains in response to genotoxic stress. Additionally, the “eraser” enzyme PARG, which counteracts PARP1/2 activity by breaking down ADP-ribose chains, further complicates in vivo analysis.
The non-parasitic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a renowned model system for genome stability studies, confers a tremendous advantage compared to other models since loss-of-function mutations in both PARP1/2 or PARG are tolerated, allowing study of their function within the germ line.
Thanks to a Standard Grant provided by The Czech Science Foundation to Nicola Silva at the Department of Biology of the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, an in-depth and unprecedented in vivo analysis of the roles exerted by these proteins could be carried out, leading to the identification of crucial functions performed particularly by PARG-1 (C. elegans homolog of mammalian PARG) during meiosis.
By exploiting genome editing techniques (CRISPR), we were able to assess PARG-1 localization in developing oocytes, a task that was never carried out before. Our analysis revealed that PARG-1 is an integral component of an important meiotic scaffold that keeps the chromosomes tightly aligned during meiosis, called the Synaptonemal Complex (SC) (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Oocytes at the indicated stage stained for different subunits of the SC and PARG-1 (GFP). From Janisiw et al.; Nature Communications, 2020.
Moreover, we were able to find that PARG-1 establishes protein complexes also with proteins involved in the induction and processing of meiotic DSBs across species. By exploiting the powerful genetics provided by C. elegans, we discovered that strikingly PARG-1 is important to regulate the number of DNA breaks during germ cells development, and to promote their precise repair by homologous recombination (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Oocytes stained for different SC subunits and the crossover sites in mutants with reduced DSBs, after irradiation. From Janisiw et al.; Nature Communications, 2020.
Lastly, we discovered that the ability of PARG-1 to localize along the chromosomes holds crucial roles during DSB induction and homologous recombination, indicating that not only PARG-1 carries out enzymatic functions but is also important from a structural perspective.
We were also interested in deciphering the protein network established by PARG-1 and its interactors within the germ cells. This analysis led to the identification of a physical and functional interaction with the BRC-1-BRD-1 complex, which in humans is homologue to BRCA1-BARD1. These proteins perform major roles in regulating genome stability in mitotic cells, however their functions during meiosis are more elusive. Our work revealed that contemporaneous removal of PARG-1 and BRC-1 caused elevated infertility due to extensive genome instability. In particular, we observed that many DNA lesions physiologically generated during meiosis were not processed correctly, leading to the formation of chromosome fusions and reduced levels of recombination.
By removing different DNA repair pathways together with BRC-1/PARG-1 we observed detrimental effects on genome integrity caused by lack of the polymerase POLQ-1 (Figure 3), known to mediate an important DNA repair pathway called “alternative non-homologous end joining”.
Figure 3. Oocytes of the indicated genotype and stage stained for a marker of single-stranded DNA, highlighting presence of unrepaired damage in absence of BRC-1-PARG-1. From Trivedi et al.; Nucleic Acids Research, 2022.
Our work was the first in vivo evidence showing that under compromised BRC-1/BRCA1 function, PARG-1/PARG activity is essential to maintain genome integrity in gametes. Furthermore, our finding on the synthetic lethality triggered by simultaneous POLQ-BRCA1 abrogation of function also carries tremendous ramifications for cancer therapy and nicely aligns with recent findings in humans that show promising results in targeting tumorous cells with POLQ inhibitors as a novel strategy to improve therapeutic outcomes in BRCA1-mutated tumours. Altogether, our work emphasizes the pivotal role that model systems carry for the analysis of conserved pathways in simpler organisms and further corroborates on the crucial contribution of basic science to human health.
The Slovenian agency is looking for new potential foreign reviewers among Czech scientists to expand the agency’s database for possible cooperation. You can apply by filling in the questionnaire.
If you have any questions, please contact the representative of the Slovenian Agency Maja Ambrožič (maja.ambrozic@aris-rs.si).
The Czech Science Foundation (GACR) is announcing calls for proposals for tenders in the area of Standard Projects, JUNIOR STAR, POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP, and International and Lead Agency projects. The submission deadline is 3 April. The winners will be announced in October and November this year. Projects which win funding after passing the multi-stage evaluation process will be launched in 2025.
„The Czech Science Foundation has been supporting all areas of basic research for 30 years. This year is no different. Scientists can submit project proposals to our traditional calls for proposals, whether it is the call for standard projects or more focused calls for, for example, early-career researchers. After two years, we are opening the EXPRO call for excellent scientists again,“ said the GACR President, Prof. Petr Baldrian, Ph.D.
The submission deadline for Proposals for projects starting in 2025 is 3 April 2024. The winning proposals will be announced in October and November this year, except for international tenders, which will be announced in coordination with the partner agency abroad.
The project proposals will be assessed in a multi-stage transparent evaluation process, in which expert reviewers from other countries also participate substantially in addition to experts from Czech research institutions. Among the winners, there is not a single project which has not been reviewed internationally. In case of the highly selective EXPRO and JUNIOR STAR projects, this process is the responsibility of international experts only.
Standard projects are the backbone of targeted aid for basic research in the Czech Republic, with GACR having financed hundreds of them each year since its founding in 1993. Through these projects, the best basic research in all areas is supported. Standard projects are usually worked on for three years and their proposals may be submitted by all researchers and their teams without limits on the length of their scientific careers. Project proposals are evaluated on the basis of a multi-level selection process.
After a year’s break, the EXPRO competition is once again open for the most excellent Czech scientists. A few selected researchers and their projects are going to raise five-year funding for their teams. During this period they will be able to draw up to 50 million CZK, i.e. an average of CZK ten million per year. The projects with the greatest potential to be part of a breakthrough in their field will be selected for funding by international panels. The research team will also be required to submit a project proposal to the European Research Council (ERC).
The JUNIOR STAR tender is almost always met with great interest by applicants from the ranks of excellent scientists in basic research who are at the beginning of their career (up to 8 years after being awarded their Ph.D. titles) who have had their work published in prestigious international journals and have significant foreign experience. The goal of these five-year projects with a budget of up to 25 million CZK is to give the applicants a chance to gain scientific independence, including potentially founding their own research group to bring new topics into Czech science. Similarly to EXPRO projects, the review of JUNIOR STAR project proposals is carried out solely by external reviewers.
For the third time, GACR is announcing the POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP (PIF) tender this year. This type of grant is aimed at scientists who have finished their doctoral studies in the past four years. It can take two forms – either allowing a Czech scientist to carry out two years of research at a prestigious research centre abroad (with the condition of spending a third year at a research centre in the Czech Republic) or allowing a Czech postdoc or foreign scientist to come carry out research and begin their career at a Czech research centre.
Projects worked on by scientists and their teams in cooperation with researchers from partner states are a separate category of grants. Project proposals are either evaluated by both agencies (bilateral cooperation), or they are recommended for funding by one agency and the other adopts its recommendations (Lead Agency cooperation).
Bilateral-cooperation
Taiwan – National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
South Korea – National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
This year, the call with the Brazilian agency FAPESP cannot be launched due to the partner agency’s request to modify our mutual cooperation. The call is expected to be renewed next year.
Switzerland – Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Luxembourg – Nation Research Fund (FNR)
USA – National Science Foundation (NSF) – GACR is always a partner agency
ADDED 23. 2. 2024: Croatia – Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ)
For reasons on the side of the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), a decision on the launch of this year’s call, in which GA CR would be the Lead agency, will be made in the coming days.
The Czech Science Foundation (GACR), the largest Czech grant funding provider for basic research, will fund 357 scientific projects being launched next year in the Standard Projects and POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP grant schemes. These projects will receive CZK 2,75 billion over the next 3 years. The projects receiving funding cover a wide range of basic research topics.
“The Czech Science Foundation has been in existence for 30 years. In that time, it has become an established agency of European calibre, established a number of international partnerships, promoted modern trends in science, gone fully digital and, thanks to its grant schemes, targeted scientists at all stages of their careers. But one thing has not changed in 30 years: GACR supports excellent basic research. Calls for the Standard Projects funding scheme have been published annually since GACR’s inception and, as in all national agencies, have formed a fundamental pillar of science funding, covering the broad spectrum of basic research. In addition, it is important to add that Standard Projects are only ‘standard’ in terms of their size; only top scientists will receive funding,” says GACR President Prof. Petr Baldrian.
Scientific project proposals go through a two-phase evaluation process involving more than 500 Czech scientists and hundreds of experts from other countries. They guarantee both the expertise and objectivity in the evaluation process.
Standard Projects
Standard Projects form the basis of targeted aid for basic research in the Czech Republic. Starting in 2023, GACR will fund 332 new Standard Projects worth CZK 2,63 billion. All researchers and their teams, regardless of their age and experience, are eligible to submit proposals for a project that has a duration of up to three years. This project scheme has been funded since 1993.
Projects funded from 2024
Registration No.
Applicant
Title
Organization
Number of years
Discipline Committee
24-10000S
doc. Ing. Milena Stránská, Ph.D.
Shedding Light on Glycosylated Mycotoxins: Their Structure, Occurrence, Preparation, and Health Impacts
Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze, Fakulta potravinářské a biochemické technologie
3
5. Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences
24-10008S
prof. Ing. Karel Janda, M.A., Dr., Ph.D.
Asset pricing, internet data, machine learning with natural language processing in the era of sustainable and decentralized finance with uncertainty
Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, Fakulta financí a účetnictví
3
4. Social Sciences and Humanities
24-10009S
prof. M.Sc. Vjačeslav Jurčenko, Ph.D.
Viruses of trypanosomatids: maintenance and transmission
Ostravská univerzita, Přírodovědecká fakulta
3
3. Medical and Biological Sciences
24-10010S
doc. RNDr. David Kopecký, Ph.D.
When 1+1?2: Conundrum of non-Mendelian inheritance of parental chromosomes in plant hybrids
Ústav experimentální botaniky AV ČR, v.v.i.
3
5. Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences
24-10013S
Dr. rer. nat. Leoš Valášek, DSc.
eIF3 at the Tip of the AUG Recognition Process in Humans
Mikrobiologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.
3
3. Medical and Biological Sciences
24-10017S
Ing. Vít Černý, Ph.D.
Study of the influence of percolation threshold on behavior of electrically conductive cement composites under different exposure environment loads
Vysoké učení technické v Brně, Fakulta stavební
3
1. Technical Sciences
24-10016S
Mgr. Veronika Jílková, Ph.D.
Pyroseq: Pyrogenic organic matter sequestration in forest soils affected by climate change
Biologické centrum AV ČR, v.v.i.
3
5. Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences
24-10019S
doc. RNDr. Linda Nedbalová, Ph.D.
Snow algae blooms under climate change: unravelling the diversity patterns and seasonal dynamics to understand their current and future distribution
Univerzita Karlova, Přírodovědecká fakulta
3
5. Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences
24-10021S
doc. Mgr. Aleš Pečinka, Ph.D.
Effects of heat stres on nuclear organization and epigenetic regulation in barley
Ústav experimentální botaniky AV ČR, v.v.i.
3
5. Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences
24-10026S
Mgr. Martin Horák, Ph.D.
Novel open-channel blockers of NMDA receptors with enhanced membrane-to-channel inhibition
The POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP (PIF) grant scheme is awarded in two versions: OUTGOING and INCOMING. The former allows early-career researchers to undertake a two-year fellowship abroad, where they gain valuable experience in the early phase of their careers. In the third year, they will capitalize on this experience at a Czech institution. The latter version (PIF INCOMING) enables excellent early-career scientists from other countries to work at a research institute in the Czech Republic. This scheme is also enjoyed by young Czech scientists abroad who plan to return to the Czech Republic after their postdoctoral experience. A total of 25 young scientists who completed their PhD studies no more than four years ago have been awarded these three-year grants starting in January.
Projects funded from 2024 – PIF INCOMING
Registration No.
Applicant
Title
Organization
Number of years
Discipline Committee
24-10280I
Ing. Anna Koslová, PhD.
Virophage DNA integration in vitro and in vivo
Ústav molekulární genetiky AV ČR, v.v.i.
3
3. Medical and Biological Sciences
24-10876I
Ing. Marek Matas, Ph.D.
Pushing the limits of light dark matter searches
České vysoké učení technické v Praze, Fakulta jaderná a fyzikálně inženýrská
3
2. Physical Sciences
24-10588I
Maria Antonietta Manca, Ph.D.
Consequences of respiratory complex II deficiency for endothelial cell physiology
Biotechnologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.
3
3. Medical and Biological Sciences
24-11338I
Mgr. Hana Hušková, Ph.D.
Targets and consequences of activation-induced cytidine deaminase-mediated mutagenesis in tumours
Univerzita Karlova, 1. lékařská fakulta
3
3. Medical and Biological Sciences
24-11388I
Mgr. Jakub Šebesta, Ph.D.
Magnetoelasty of non-cubic materials in spin-lattice dynamic simulations
Vysoká škola báňská - Technická univerzita Ostrava, IT4Innovations
3
1. Technical Sciences
24-11324I
Dr Thomas Weber
Braided differential geometry and homotopy algebras
Univerzita Karlova, Matematicko-fyzikální fakulta
3
2. Physical Sciences
24-12638I
Dr. Nathan Wood
Ethical and Legal Aspects of Autonomous Weapon Systems
Filosofický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.
3
4. Social Sciences and Humanities
24-12940I
Giulia D'Angelo
Event-driven active vision for object perception
České vysoké učení technické v Praze, Fakulta elektrotechnická
Starting next January, the Czech Science Foundation (GACR) will fund seventeen new JUNIOR STAR projects. The highly selective tender is aimed at excellent early-career scientists coming to the Czech Republic from abroad or with significant international experience. With an exceptional funding amount of CZK 25 million for 5 years, the scientists will be able to build new scientific teams and focus on new areas of research.
“The JUNIOR STAR scheme is a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to gain scientific independence and enrich the Czech environment with new research topics. The interest in these grants is enormous. However, we can only afford to fund the best of the best,” said GACR President Prof. Petr Baldrian. “This is the fourth year of this grant scheme. We are delighted that it allows us to attract scientists from prestigious universities abroad to work for Czech science. These are, for example, scientists working in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Norway or Germany. We believe that the researchers have the potential to answer important questions in their field of research and build new teams that will enrich Czech science.”
Projects in all areas of basic research are eligible for funding. Scientists in the new projects will focus, for example, on accelerating drug development, optimising 3D printing of alloys, computer vision using neural networks, and the impact of bilingualism in the first year of human life.
JUNIOR STAR 2024 Projects
Registration No.
Applicant
Title
Organization
Number of years
Discipline Committee
24-10275M
Mgr. et Mgr. Veronika Dulíková, Ph.D.
Titles and bones of ancient Egyptian officials: New mathematical approach to analysing Old Kingdom data
Univerzita Karlova, Filozofická fakulta
5
EX7
24-10298M
Ing. Vít Svoboda, Dr. sc. ETH Zurich
Probing Chiral Dynamics on Femtosecond Timescales
Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze, Fakulta chemicko-inženýrská
5
EX3
24-10599M
RNDr. Michal Zajaček, PhD.
Stars in galactic nuclei: interrelation with massive black holes
Masarykova univerzita, Přírodovědecká fakulta
5
EX1
24-10738M
Ing. Lukáš Neumann, Ph.D.
Inductive Biases of Deep Neural Networks in Computer Vision
České vysoké učení technické v Praze, Fakulta elektrotechnická
5
EX8
24-11058M
Mgr. Milan Heczko, Ph.D.
Design and optimization of 3D printable oxide-dispersion-strengthened multi-principal element alloys for extreme environments
Ústav fyziky materiálů AV ČR, v.v.i.
5
EX8
24-11139M
Nikola Paillereau, Ph. D.
The effect of bilingualism on speech perception and production in the first year of life
Psychologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.
5
EX6
24-11259M
RNDr. Ondřej Černý, Ph.D.
Salmonella effector network inhibiting T cell immunity
Mikrobiologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.
5
EX4
24-11562M
Paulo Paioti
Catalytic Stereoselective Synthesis of Elusive Atropisomers for Accelerating Drug Discovery
Ústav organické chemie a biochemie AV ČR, v.v.i.
5
EX3
24-11622M
Mgr. Martin Lang, Ph.D.
Computing Religious Devotion: How Reinforcing Supernatural Beliefs Affects Normative Models in the Mind
Masarykova univerzita, Filozofická fakulta
5
EX6
24-12183M
Klára Marečková, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Prenatal Programming of Child's Brain and Behavior: Novel Insights into the Mechanisms of the Intergenerational Transmission
JUNIOR STAR grants are evaluated exclusively by international scientists who guarantee the expertise and objectivity of the evaluation. Each project receives four reviews from members of the international discipline committees and additional ones from external reviewers, on the basis of which the evaluation panels propose the best projects for funding.
The publication of the results of the Standard Projects and POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP tenders will take place on 30 November 2023.
Candidates interested in membership in the evaluation panels of the Czech Science Foundation may now apply throughout the year ‒ nominations are valid for two years. Replacements and reappointments occur regularly every year as the members’ terms in office expire.
The Czech Science Foundation is searching experts to join particularly the following panels as of April 2024:
Technical sciences
P104 – Construction Materials, Architecture and Building Science
P107 – Metallic Materials – Preparation and Properties
Medical and Biological Sciences
P303 – Cell, Developmental and Evolutionary Biology
P305 – Medical Physiology and Neuroscience, Diagnostics and Therapy, Translational research – specialist in neuroscience
P306 – Pharmacology, Toxicology, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Biophysics
Social Sciences and Humanities
P402 – Economic Sciences, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Econometrics (except Financial Econometrics), Quantitative Methods in Economics (except Operational Research) – specialist in macroeconomics and specialist in applied microeconomics (e.g. development economics, health economics, environmental economics, industrial organisation)
P403 – Business and Management Science, Financial Econometrics and Operational Research – specialist in operational research
P406 – Linguistics and Literature – linguist, ideally with a diachronic focus, and literary scientist with a focus on contemporary literature, e.g. Czech literature in an international context
P408 – Juridical Science and Political Science – specialist in public law with a focus on administrative law or constitutional law
P409 – Art Sciences – specialist in theatre history and theatre studies
Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences
P501 – Plant Physiology and Genetics, Plant Medicine
P504 – Landscape Management, Forestry and Soil Biology, Ecosystem Ecology
P505 – Animal and Plant Ecology (added 23. 11. 2023)
P506 – Botany and Zoology
What are the main responsibilities of a panel member?
Being an impartial evaluator abiding by the Code of Ethics
Writing reviews for an average of 12-17 project proposals each year, and evaluating additional ones
Recommending independent external reviewers for the second phase of the evaluation
Monitoring the progress of the projects funded, and preparing on average 5-7 reports after project completions
Attending four panel meetings each year where projects are discussed
What are the minimum requirements?
Academic qualifications at the level of a Ph. D. or higher
Active scientific activity in basic research
Significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge and discovery
Experience with basic research projects as a principal investigator or co-investigator
Ability to assess scientific problems in the broader context of the development of the discipline internationally
What we offer
The opportunity to actively participate in the development of scientific excellence in the Czech Republic
Experience in evaluating and preparing grant proposals
Opportunity to become familiar with current trends in the field
Financial remuneration proportionate to the level of involvement in the evaluation process
For the term in office starting as of April 2024, please submit your applications and nominations by 17 December 2023.
The President of the Czech Science Foundation (GACR) together with the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation awarded the five best scientific projects at the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Czech Science Foundation President’s Awards yesterday (12 October 2023) at the Martinský Palace. The award recipients from all areas of basic research have contributed to a significant expansion of knowledge in the field and will lead to further applications.
The winning projects will contribute to the comprehension of black holes, the functioning of the vertebrate brain, and the communication strategies of politicians. The other award-winning research has the potential to contribute to more effective cancer treatments and improved lubrication of human joints.
“We have awarded the best of projects over the last twenty years – ninety of them in that time. The breadth of the award-winning projects shows that Czech science is world-class in all fields of research,” said Prof. Petr Baldrian, Czech Science Foundation President. “Like the years before, this year it was extremely difficult to select the best projects, because if a project receives funding from the Czech Science Foundation, it is almost guaranteed to be high-quality research thanks to our evaluation system.”
The Czech Science Foundation President’s Award has been regularly awarded since 2003 in recognition of outstanding results achieved in grant projects completed in the previous year. Recipients are selected on the recommendation of several hundred scientists who evaluate projects funded by the Czech Science Foundation. Each winner will receive a prize of CZK 100,000. The awards are presented in five areas of basic research: Technical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Medical and Biological Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences.
The award ceremony took place as part of the celebration of the Czech Science Foundation’s 30th Anniversary, attended by Helena Langšádlová, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, representatives of universities, the Czech Academy of Sciences, and dozens of other distinguished guests.
Award-Winning Projects
Technical Sciences
prof. Ing. Martin Vrbka Ph.D., Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Investigation of Synovial Fluid Viscosupplementation and its Impact on Friction and Lubrication
Viscosupplementation is a treatment for osteoarthritis that involves injecting a hyaluronic acid-based product between the cartilages of a joint. The award-winning project investigated whether this treatment could improve the mobility of joints. The project created a joint simulator that analysed the friction and lubrication film between the articular cartilage. The project has clarified the mechanism of viscosupplementation, and provided new insights to improve the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Physical Sciences
Roman Konoplya Ph.D., Silesian University in Opava, Institute of Physics
Testing Strong Gravity via Black Holes
The project has developed a new method for describing black holes in various theories of gravity, including those that differ from the prevailing Einstein theory. The differences between the theories are most apparent in the extremely strong gravity around black holes. This new method makes it possible to study these differences and to combine theory with experiment to help understand gravity under extreme conditions. This way, the project contributes to a full understanding of gravity and its potential applications in energy and other areas of research.
Medical and Biological Sciences
Mgr. Jakub Rohlena, Ph.D., Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences
Respiration-Linked Metabolic Limitations of De Novo Pyrimidine Biosynthesis
The project investigated the metabolism of cancer cells, which influences their ability to form tumours and respond to treatment. The chain responsible for cellular respiration was found to have different functions in dividing and resting cells – the former promoting the production of organic compounds, the latter stress resistance. This difference has important implications for cancer treatment which can affect not only cancerous cells but also healthy ones. The project also discovered a new metabolic pathway that produces a key substance for cancer cell growth – aspartic acid. These findings may contribute to new innovative cancer treatments.
Social Sciences and Humanities
Mgr. Alena Kluknavská, Ph.D., Masaryk University, Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contestation of Truth: Public Discourses on Migration in Central Europe in the Post-Truth Era
The award-winning project dealt with the relativisation of truth in political communication, where facts give way to opinions. It created a theoretical framework and a tool for analysing the post-factual communication of politicians, especially in the context of polarising issues such as migration. By combining manual and automatic textual analysis, the researchers found that post-factual communication is close to both populism and disinformation. It manifests itself primarily through hostile anti-elitist accusations against opponents of creating and spreading false information and lies, and a focus on emotionality, negativity and incivility rather than facts and expertise.
Agricultural and Biological-Environmental Sciences
Mgr. Pavel Němec, Ph.D., Charles University, Faculty of Science
Evolution of Brain Complexity and Processing Capacity in Amphibians and Reptiles: A Quantitative Approach to Understanding Tetrapod Brain Evolution
The brain and its neural capacity are crucial to the evolutionary success of species. However, even species with small brains can be intelligent because of the high density of neurons in the brain. The project researchers found that birds and mammals – unlike amphibians and reptiles – have experienced brain enlargement and an increase in the number of neurons during evolution, made possible by the increased metabolism of species with constant body temperature. Furthermore, a link between the number of neurons in the hindbrain and cerebellum and the innovativeness of birds in acquiring food has been demonstrated.
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