What’s New in the Laboratory of Gene Expression (2025 Year Highlights)

The past year has brought major progress and structural changes to the Laboratory of Gene Expression, with continued innovation in transcriptomics research and growing applications in regeneration and disease models.

1. Discovery of Regeneration-Initiating Cells (RICs)
   Through single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis in Xenopus, the lab identified a novel population of regeneration-initiating cells (RICs) that play a key role in orchestrating early tissue repair. This breakthrough, published in 2024, is now guiding research into new areas of biology by linking regenerative plasticity to pathological processes.
2. Structural Expansion and New Group Formation
   In early 2024, the lab underwent a major organizational shift with the formation of an independent Core Facility Research Laboratory led by Lukáš Valihrach. While both teams maintain close scientific ties, Lukáš’s group is now focused on neurobiology, while the Laboratory of Gene Expression (under Radek Šindelka and Mikael Kubista) continues to specialize in gene expression profiling, regeneration, development, and assay development using animal models.
3. Transcriptomic Technology Integration
   The lab expanded its infrastructure with the adoption of advanced spatial transcriptomics approaches (10x Visium, Xenium) and streamlined single-cell RNA-seq workflows. These are now being applied to frog and fish models, as well as mammalian in vitro systems.
4. Bioinformatics and Translational Insights
   New projects explore gene expression signatures in human conditions. Bioinformatic pipelines are being developed to translate findings from animal and in vitro models to human pathology.
5. Student Projects and Method Development
   Several junior researchers joined the laboratory in 2025 and have contributed to improvements in laboratory methodology. Several projects were published and presented at national and international meetings.