 |
 |
| Research centers PP2-DP01 (1M) operating at IMG |
| Center
of Molecular and Cellular Immunology |
||
| No.of project: |
1M0506 |
Annotation:
The goal of
establishing the Center is to reach a much higher level of
collaboration based mainly on the methodological and instrumental
complementarity of the participating partners. The researchers at the
Institute of Molecular Genetics are particularly well acquainted with
molecular biology approaches and hybridoma technologies, the
researchers from the Faculty of Science of Charles University have
large experience with cell immunology and advanced microscopy
techniques, while members of the participating companies have long-term
experience with optimization of large-scale preparation of monoclonal
antibodies and recombinant proteins. Establishment of the Center will
thus lead to a quantitatively novel way of integration of closely
connected research activities, providing a unique opportunity to
transfer the results of basic research into the practice. Within one
research unit it will thus be possible to ensure preparation of unique
monoclonal antibodies against novel immunologically significant
molecules and recombinant proteins required for molecular immunology
research, as well as their coordinated screening by a panel of
demanding techniques in vitro and in vivo, which would otherwise not be
possible to provide. We are convinced that the results of our research
will be exploited by a number of Czech small and medium companies such
as Sevapharma, Vidia, Imumed, Apronex, Exbio, Biopharm, Immunotech,
Léčiva, Generi Biotech, Bioveta, Biovendor, Clonestar, Itest
Plus,
Test-Line, Geneage Technologies, Top-Bio, Ivax Pharmaceuticals, INR
Řež, Dyntec. |
| Awarded by: |
Ministry
of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic |
|
| Duration: |
2005-2011 |
|
| Project
Coordinator: |
Institute
of Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Head
of the
Center: |
Prof.
Václav Hořejší, Ph.D. |
|
| Participants: |
Charles
University, Prague Institute of Microbiology AS CR, v.v.i. EXBIO Prague, Inc. Apronex, Ltd. |
|
| Contacts: |
phone:
(+420) 241729908 fax: (+420) 244472282 e-mail: vaclav.horejsi@img.cas.cz web: --- |
|
| Center
for Applied Genomics |
||
| No.of
project: |
1M0520 |
Annotation:
We propose to establish a research Center of Applied Genomics (CAG),
where a high level research of genomics will be oriented towards
practical applications. The program of the Center is based on the
experience obtained in the Center of Integrated Genomics (CIG) in the
years 2000-2004 and on the involvement of research capacities of
selected biotechnological companies and foreign partners.
The effort would be focused in
CAG to two areas. The first one would be medically oriented projects
aimed particularly at new diagnostic methods and the second one on
projects targeted to the topic of the environment. Both these areas
were already developed in CIG and are well prepared for oriented
research and practical utilization. An example of such an ongoing CIG
project is construction of a mitochip on which oligonucleotide markers
of all genes of the human mitochondrion are anchored. With regard to
the long-term program of the study of inherited mitochondrial diseases
performed at the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and at
the Institute of Physiology AS CR, the mitochip will be utilized in
practice for diagnostics. Advantageous is here experience with these
diseases as well as a comprehensive register of patients in the Czech
Republic and abroad (Pecina et al., 2003, Skládal et al., 2003,
Houštěk
et al., 2004). Another example of a well-developed topic is the study
of bacterial genes determining degradation of catechols (Jenčová
et al.
2004) and synthesis of degradable “plastic-like” polymers
polyhydroxyalkanoates (Ulbrich et al. 2002).
|
| Awarded
by: |
Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic | |
| Duration: |
2005-2011 |
|
| Project
Coordinator: |
Institute
of Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Head of
the Center: |
Prof.
Václav Pačes, Ph.D., D.Sc. |
|
| Participants: |
Charles
University, Prague Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague Institute of Physiology AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Contacts: |
phone:
(+420) 241 063 451, (+420) 241 063 215 fax: (+420) 224 310 955 e-mail: office@img.cas.cz web: http://www.img.cas.cz/cag/ |
|
| Center for Targeted
Therapeutics |
||
| No.of
project: |
1M0505
|
Annotation: The object of the research
activity of the Centre is research and development of a complex of
technologies which are necessary for the production of modern drugs.
Due to the fact that in some cases original approaches are
needed, the object of the Centre activity will be a targeted basic
research in addition to the applied research. The individual
technologies are interdependent and form an integral complex. There
already exists in the Czech Republic a very good base of research,
development and realization of monoclonal antibodies (in the academic
as well as in the private institutions) which provides suitable
starting materials (monoclonal antibodies, hybridoma cells - the source
of genetic material) for the preparation of carrier water-soluble
polymers targeted with monoclonal antibodies. Another favourable fact
is that NRI Řež plc is operating the nuclear reactor, a unique source
of radionuclides used in the medicine. The following technologies will
be developed:
Biomolecular engineering of mono- and multivalent recombinant fragments of immunoglobuline molecules from selected antibodies and their expression in suitable host cells. Production of these fragments in bacteria and plants with the aim to find the most effective systems. Transgene and non-transgene production will be compared and purification methods will be developed. Research and development of targeted (via monoclonal, polyclonal, and recombinant antibodies) polymeric carriers of radionuclides and cancerostatics for use in targeted therapy and diagnostics. Design and preparation of saccharide and peptide dendrimeres based on polyamidoimide and polylysine structures, and testing their biological effects. Elucidation of molecular interactions of anticancer drugs, their activation pathways and understanding the biotransformation of these drugs in relation to their biological effects in vitro and in vivo. Testing the possibilities of application of new radionuclides for labelling of all types of antibodies, development of new chelating agents and procedures. Pre-clinical testing of prepared original radiopharmaceuticals and targeted drugs. |
| Awarded
by: |
Ministry
of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic |
|
| Duration: |
2005-2011 |
|
| Project
Coordinator: |
Nuclear
Research Institute Řež, plc |
|
| Head
of the Center: |
Assoc.
Prof.
Vladimír Viklický, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
| Participants: |
Institute
of
Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. (Milan Fábry, Ph.D.) Institute of Microbiology AS CR, v.v.i. Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry AS CR, v.v.i. Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR, v.v.i. Charles University, Prague EXBIO Prague, Inc. |
|
| Contacts: |
phone:
(+420) 220 183 389, (+420) 220 183 212 fax: (+420) 223 331 274 e-mail: fabry@img.cas.cz web: --- |
|
| Centers of basic research (LC) operating at
IMG |
| Center of Cell Invasiveness in Embryonic
Development and Tumour Metastases |
||
| No.of project: |
LC06061 |
Annotation:
The cells in multicellular organisms are spatially organized through
cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Disruption of
adhesive bonds results in enhanced cell motility and helps cells to
become invasive - to degrade the basal membrane, escape from their home
tissues, invade surrounding tissues and eventually to colonize them.
Cell invasiveness plays an important role in the normal embryonic
development and also in metastasis - the most dangerous stage of
tumours, which is the actual cause of death in approximately 90% of
cancer patients. In both cases the cell invasiveness appears to be
regulated by similar mechanisms, which are presently known only
partially. In order to contribute to the knowledge of cell invasiveness
regulation we will study in parallel selected molecules and molecular
mechanisms that regulate cell migration and invasiveness in early
vertebrate embryos and in cells of non-invasive and metastasizing
experimental tumors. Validation of obtained results will be done in
experimental tumours in vivo. A large collection of human primary
tumours and their metastases will be searched for the presence and
expression levels of regulatory molecules found in experimental tumours
as activators of cell invasiveness. The results of the project will
extend our knowledge of cell adhesion and motility regulations, which
are among biological processes of central importance. They will also
contribute to our understanding of mechanisms controlling both normal
embryonic development and invasiveness of malignant tumours.
Interconnection of Czech and foreign laboratories and active
participation of students in the project will create an environment
supporting acceleration of the ongoing cell invasiveness research in
individual laboratories and high-quality education of students in a
large international team. |
| Awarded by: |
Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic | |
| Duration: |
2006-2011 |
|
| Project
Coordinator: |
Institute
of
Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Head
of the
Center: |
Michal
Dvořák, Ph.D. |
|
| Participants: |
Charles
University, Prague Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Contacts: |
tel.:
(+420) 241 063 390 fax: (+420) 241 063 586 e-mail: mdvorak@img.cas.cz www: --- |
|
| Center of Chemical
Genetics |
||
| No.of project: |
LC06077 |
Annotation:
Center of Chemical Genetics, as a center joining activities of top
laboratories conducting basic research in the field of organic
chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics,
will enable more effective research in the area of search for active
compounds as tools for basic biology research and biomedical
applications. The Center should lay foundations for development of
chemical genetics in the Czech Republic and thus contribute to the
development of system biology and biomedicine. Close co-operation,
information sharing, immediate backup, and complementation of purely
chemical approaches with the biological ones will enable a
qualitatively higher level of prospective interdisciplinary research
and higher competitive strength of the research teams in challenging
international competition. The uniqueness of this integrated approach
lies in the possibility of finding complex solutions to the problems of
the molecular basis of biological phenomena. Within one Center it will
thus be possible to ensure synthesis of compounds, identification of
effective compounds in biologically relevant systems, targeted
molecular design, molecular recognition, and identification of
molecular targets including affected signalling pathways. Combination
of unique chemical-genetic approaches will enable entry into
international, namely European, research programmes and consortia. The
work in the Center will also include participation of undergraduate and
graduate students, who thanks to their interdisciplinary education will
represent much-sought-for specialists. |
| Awarded by: |
Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic | |
| Duration: |
2006-2011 | |
| Project
Coordinator: |
Institute
of Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Head
of the
Center: |
Petr
Bartůněk, Ph.D. |
|
| Participants: |
Masaryk
University, Brno Institute of Entomology AS CR Institute of Chemical Technology Prague Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Contacts: |
tel.:
(+420) 241 063 117 fax: (+420) 241 063 586 e-mail: bartunek@img.cas.cz www: --- |
|
| Center of Molecular
Ecology of Vectors and Pathogens |
||
| No.of project: |
LC06009 |
Annotation:
The project is aimed at supporting collaboration of top home
parasitology and molecular biology institutions, increasing their
international competitive strength and the quality of training of young
parasitologists. On the models tick – Borrelia, Phlebotomus
–
Leishmania, trematode – gastropod, molecular interactions
relevant for
transmission of the pathogen by the vector will be studied. The immune
vector-host interactions related to the transmission will be
analysed. Genes affecting the immune response against the
vector-transmitted pathogens will be mapped and identified molecularly.
The results will be used for development of vaccines inhibiting the
vector-mediated pathogen transmission. A common department, Laboratory
of Genomics and Proteomics, will be established within the Center and
provide service support for the participating subjects. |
| Awarded by: |
Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic | |
| Duration: |
2006-2011 |
|
| Project
Coordinator: |
Institute
of Parasitology AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Head
of the
Center: |
Assoc.
Prof. Jan Kopecký, Ph.D. |
|
| Participants: |
Charles
University, Prague South-bohemian University in České Budějovice Institute of Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. (Assoc.. Prof. Marie Lipoldová, Ph.D.) |
|
| Contacts: |
tel.:
(+420) 241 063 243 fax: (+420) 224 310 955 e-mail: lipoldova@img.cas.cz web: --- |
|
| Flurescence
microscopy in biological and medical research |
||
| No.of project: |
LC06063 |
Annotation: Development of novel approaches in
fluorescence microscopy to the study of dynamic processes in live cells
and in model systems, with the possibility to obtain new data in the
areas of non-viral gene therapy, signal transduction, and regulation of
gene expression. The project includes development of fluorescence techniques with one-molecule sensitivity and methods for data processing, development of novel DNA condensors, assessment of the role of G proteins in hormonal events, development of novel ways of fluorophore labelling of protein molecules, elucidation of protein interactions participating in the cell nucleus organization and of the role of plasma membrane transport proteins. |
| Awarded by: |
Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic | |
| Duration: |
2006-2011 |
|
| Project
Coordinator: |
J.
Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Head
of the
Center: |
Assoc. Prof. Martin Hof | |
| Participants: |
Charles
University, Prague Institute of Physiology AS CR, v.v.i. Institute of Experimental Medicine AS CR, v.v.i. Institute of Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. (Assoc. Prof. Pavel Hozák, Ph.D., D.Sc.) |
|
| Contacts: |
tel: 241 062
219, fax: 241 062 289 e-mail: hozak@img.cas.cz web: --- |
|
| Center
of Cell Functional Organization |
||
| No.of
project: |
LC545 |
Annotation: “Center of Cell Functional
Organization” associates laboratories that already got
significant
results in molecular and cellular biology, with the aim to create the
scientific and methodological basis for the study of cellular
structures and functions. Current experimental and methodological
potential of the laboratories will be supplemented with state of the
art equipment. Six laboratories constitute the Center: one laboratory
is located at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, and
five laboratories are in the complex of biomedical institutes of the
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague-Krč (Institute of
Experimental Medicine, Institute of Microbiology, Institute of
Molecular Genetics). The Center will thus represent a compact and
efficient unit for tight cooperation centered on the understanding of
molecular mechanisms regulating the structure and dynamics of the
cytoskeleton and its interactions during the cell cycle,
characterization of functional structures of the cell nucleus,
determination of special structures at cellular stress and on the
understanding of molecular mechanisms of virus interaction with
cellular structures. The Center will also concentrate on intensive
interactions with the international (especially European) scientific
structures and grant projects. High-quality methodological backgrounds
of the Center and cooperating laboratories will be used to solve tasks
in the common projects. |
| Awarded
by: |
Ministry
of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic |
|
| Duration: |
2005-2011 |
|
| Project
Coordinator: |
Institute
of Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. |
|
| Head of
the Center: |
Assoc.
Prof. Pavel
Hozák, D.Sc. |
|
| Participants: |
Institute
of
Microbiology AS CR, v.v.i. Charles University, Prague |
|
| Contacts: |
phone:
(+420) 241 062 632 fax: (+420) 244 471 707 e-mail: paveldra@img.cas.cz web: --- |
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