The project develops tools for the spatio-temporal analysis of the expression of genes with the help of RNA-Seq and high-throughput RT-qPCR at the tissue, unicellular and sub-cellular level, including multidimensional data analysis. We aim to develop more powerful methods for diagnostics, disease monitoring and progression of complex human diseases, such as cancer, based on the prevalence and phenotypic profiling of rare disease determining cells.
Single-cell gene expression profiling is revolutionizing the exploration of expression pathways, networks and biomolecular interactions. This field is currently in rapid development, both theoretically as well as experimentally. To ensure high quality of data, we continuously develop new approaches for quality control and data analysis. In the past, we presented a method for the effective RNA extraction from single cells, a method to control gDNA contamination or the quality of RNA, described the advantages in measuring bulk samples in single cell experiments and also participated in establishing guidelines for gene expression profiling (MIQE guidelines).
MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that serve as important regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They are stable in body fluids and pose a great potential to serve as biomarkers. We developed a highly specific, sensitive and cost-effective system to quantify miRNA expression based on two-step RT-qPCR with SYBR-green detection chemistry called Two-tailed RT-qPCR. It takes advantage of novel, target-specific primers for reverse transcription composed of two hemiprobes complementary to two different parts of the targeted miRNA, connected by a hairpin structure. The introduction of a second probe ensures high sensitivity and enables discrimination of highly homologous miRNAs irrespective of the position of the mismatched nucleotide. Currently, the method is employed in various projects, including the role of miRNA in spinal cord injury and also in the progression of viral infection.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in industrialized countries and leads to serious, long-term disability for survivors. Glial cells, comprising astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia and NG2 glia, represent homeostatic systems that regulate all aspects of CNS function and may have beneficial as well as detrimental effects on the outcome of ischemic injury. The mechanisms involved in reactive glial functions are still not well understood and are studied within this group of projects. We are interested in the role astrocytes and NG2 cells in pathophysiology of ischemia, we study their dynamics, differentiation and proliferation capacity, age-dependent changes in their function and structure, role of specific regulation pathways and proteins, or similar expression patterns in different types of CNS injury.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons and results in progressive paralysis, with a mortality within 2-5 years after the onset of disease. Although ALS is characterized by the selective death of motor neurons, glial cells and their communication processes play a key role in its pathology. While the importance of astrocytes and microglia in the development of ALS has been already described, the role of other glial cell subtypes such as oligodendrocytes and NG2 glia remains unclear. The aim of this project is to identify the changes in astrocytes, microglia and NG2 glia/oligodendrocytes in ALS progression at the level of gene and protein expression. Furthermore, we aim to clarify the changes in their functional properties, especially the homeostatic functions of astrocytes, and the role of NG2 glia in oligodendrogenesis and myelination of axons.
Central nervous system (CNS) injury triggers a multitude of pathophysiological events that are tightly regulated by expression of specific genes. Recent studies have demonstrated, that microRNAs (miRNAs) – short non-coding RNAs that modulate protein expression levels by antagonizing mRNA – are dysregulated following different types of CNS injuries. This observation has sparked a significant amount of attention into the potential use of microRNAs as therapeutic targets. To understand the mechanisms underlying gene alterations following spinal cord injury and ischemic stroke, we examine temporal expression of miRNAs and mRNAs in the nervous tissue in mice and rat models. The most promising miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks are validated in vitro and in vivo using a combination of tools for RNA, protein and functional analysis to verify the true biological relevance of our findings.
Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare genetic brain disease with no available treatment. AxD patients show white matter degeneration and extensive loss of brain tissue. Symptoms include mental retardation, epilepsy, muscle stiffness, and AxD leads to death. AxD is caused by mutations in GFAP, an astrocyte intermediate filament (nanofilament) protein. The disease initiates in astrocytes, cells that control many neuronal functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the brain. However, the molecular and cellular circuitry underlying AxD is unknown. Within the project, we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to AxD and identify targets for potential treatment strategies. We use wide spectrum of cutting-edge technologies (including single-cell transcriptomics) and unique biological models (patient-derived iPS cells, cerebral organoids or AxD killifish model).
Asymmetrical localization of RNA and proteins is the main factor behind cell specification and differentiation. Early development is a great model, because asymmetry can be observed even in oocytes and eggs. We use primarily the Xenopus laevis model to identify groups of localized RNAs and proteins, and rely on Bioinformatic analysis to assist with the determination of localization motifs and elements in the RNA molecules. We study all main developmental axes: both the oocyte and egg to study animal-vegetal axis (ectoderm – endoderm); 2-cell stage embryos for left-right asymmetry; and 4-cell stage embryos and older for dorsal-ventral axis. Recently, our collaboration with the laboratory of Prof. Dovichi in USA has been successful in also measuring protein asymmetrical profiles and their uneven distributions within the blastomeres of developing embryos. Our research in this field has led us to the discovery of a new group of transcripts with animal localization and also the identification of several new localization motifs within the vegetally localized transcripts. In addition to Bioinformatics, we also test validity of localization motifs using functional experiments. In 2018, we started new collaborations using fish and mammalian egg models.
The nitric oxide molecule is used extensively in various biological systems. Our research on the role of this molecule has shown that it is essential for head development and skin formation. We have also observed that this molecule is strongly produced in ciliated and secretory cells and it is required during the initial steps of epidermis formation. Our lab also study the role of nitric oxide during wound healing and regeneration. We found that nitric oxide is strongly produced in just a few minutes after injury and that it has a key role in gene expression activation.
The main aim of our project is to uncover the molecular mechanisms and signalling networks regulating embryonic wound healing and regeneration. It utilizes the unique combination of state-of-the-art transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, followed by candidate selection using bioinformatic analysis and functional analysis of candidates during wound healing and regeneration. Our results can be used for the identification of therapeutic targets to improve the treatment of chronic wounds and burns. Embryonic healing and regeneration are both fascinating biological processes and amphibians including Xenopus embryos are among the most efficient model species for their study. We have performed large-scale analysis of healing using transcriptomic and proteomic analyses and identified several signalling pathways and genes, which we are currently studying in more details. Recently we have developed an efficient workflow for single cell expression analysis and have used it to determine cell specific regeneration processes at the single cell resolution.
NU22-06-00643 |
Receptivity of endometrial cavity in patients with fertility limiting diseases of pelvic organs: prospective clinical study (REAdME). 2023-2026. |
GA23-05327S |
Astrocyte-microglia communication as a target for stroke therapy. 2023-2025. |
GA23-06269S |
Disturbed regulation of mTOR signaling in glial cells following cerebral ischemia. 2023-2025. |
GA22-10660S |
The role of Meis transcription factors in mesenchymal condensations during formation of the cranium. 2022-2024. |
Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for evaluating the severity of acute spinal cord injury. 2021-2024. |
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QK21010030 |
GIPTSAL - Globalization, modern technologies and climate change provide both new opportunities and hazards for salmonid breeding management. 2021-2025. |
GA20-23836S |
Sturgeon as a unique model for evolutionary transition from holoblastic to meroblastic cleavage pattern, and for endoderm development in vertebrates. 2020-2022. |
ALEXANDER - The astrocyte nanofilament system in Alexander disease – from molecules to function, uncovering new leads for therapy. 2020-2022. |
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The role of glial TRPV4 channels in brain edema formation and post-ischemic regeneration. 2020-2022. |
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Glial cells- the key players in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 2019-2021. |
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GA19-11313S | Interspecies comparison of RNA localization within oocytes to elucidate regulation of early development and asymmetric cell division. 2019-2021. |
GA18-21942S | MicroRNA in central nervous system injury: potential roles and therapeutic implications. 2018-2020. |
GA17-24441S | Molecular mechanisms of proliferation during tumor progression and wound healing studied by profiling on single cell level. 2017-2019. |
GA17-04034S | Principal signaling pathways regulating NG2 glia proliferation and differentiation following brain injuries. 2017-2019. |
GA16-07500S | Distribution of biomolecules studied on single cell and subcellular levels in Xenopus early stages to reveal mechanisms of asymmetric cell division. 2016-2018. |
GA16-10214S | Age-related changes in brain diffusivity, extracellular matrix composition and glial physiology - impact on pathogenesis of ischemia. 2016-2018. |
GA15-08239S | The diagnostic and prognostic role of microRNA signature in rectal cancer. 2015-2017. |
LH15074 | Elucidating the mechanism of asymmetric cell division using Xenopus oocytes as model system. 2015-2017. |
GA13-02154S | Gene expression profiling and functional characterization of glial cell subpopulations following ischemic brain injury. 2013-2016. |
LK21305 | NO signaling during early embryogenesis and regeneration. 2013-2015. |
GAP304/12/1585 | Molecular DNA repair characteristics in colorectal tumor tissue. 2012-2015. |
CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0045 | Biotechnological expert in structural biology and gene expression. 2012-2015. |
ME10052 | Cellular Expression Signatures in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. 2010-2012. |
GAP303/10/1338 | Cell volume regulation in glial cells during brain ischemia/reperfusion. 2010-2012. |
HEALTH-F5-2008-222916 | Standardisation and improvement of generic pre-analytical tools and procedures for in vitro diagnostics. 2009-2012. |
NS9976 | Gene expression profiling in cancer circulating cells (CTCs) in breast carcinoma patients - a tool for early metastasis detection and therapy individualisation. 2009-2011. |
IAA500970904 |
MicroRNA expression during early development of Xenopus laevis and mRNA degradation. 2009-2011. |
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Laboratory of Gene Expression
Institute of Biotechnology CAS, v.v.i.
Prumyslova 595
252 50 Vestec
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 325 873 748, +420 325 873 747