2.2. 2023, Výzkum bolesti

Laboratory name: Laboratory of Pain Research

Laboratory website 

PhD Project: Modulation of nociceptive signaling at spinal cord level

The main research interest of our department is to study mechanisms of pain and to explore new possibilities of pain treatment, especially in chronic states. Our experimental work is concentrated on the modulation of nociceptive information at the spinal cord level that is the relay center between the periphery and higher brain areas. Our goal is to study these modulatory mechanisms in order to improve therapy for pain conditions, such as allodynia, hyperalgesia, neuropathic and cancer related pain. This project will be focused on modulation of synaptic transmission at the spinal cord level. Lately we are interested in the role of TRPV1 receptors, cannabinoids, opioids and inflammatory cytokines in this process. In our research we use mainly electrophysiological, imaging, immunohistochemical and behavioral methods.

Selected relevant Publications:

Li Y, Adamek P, Zhang H, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Mrozkova P, Li Q, Kosturakis AK, Cassidy RM, Harrison.DS, Cata,J.P. Sapire,K. Zhang,H. Kennamer, R. M. Jawad, A.B. - Ghetti, A. - Yan, J. - Paleček, J.  Dougherty, P. M. The Cancer Chemotherapeutic Paclitaxel Increases Human and Rodent Sensory Neuron Responses to TRPV1 by Activation of TLR4. J Neurosci. 2015;35(39):13487-13500. IF=6.34

Nerandzic V, Mrozkova P, Adamek P, Spicarova D, Nagy I, Palecek J. Peripheral inflammation affects modulation of nociceptive synaptic transmission in the spinal cord induced by N-arachidonoylphosphatidylethanolamine. British Journal of Pharmacology 2018, 175, 12,  2322-2356. IF = 6.8

Torres-Pérez JV, Adamek P, Palecek J, Vizcaychipi M, Nagy I, Varga A. The NAv1.7 blocker protoxin II reduces burn injury-induced spinal nociceptive processing.  Journal of Molecular Medicine-Jmm 2018, roč. 96, 1, p. 75-84 . IF = 4.9

Adamek P, Heles M, Palecek J, Mechanical allodynia and enhanced responses to capsaicin are mediated by PI3K in a paclitaxel model of peripheral neuropathy. Neuropharmacology. 2019, 146: 163-174,  IF=4.3

Kalynovska, N, Diallo, M, Paleček J. Losartan treatment attenuates the development of neuropathic thermal hyperalgesia induced by peripheral nerve injury in rats . Life Sciences 2019, 220(Mar 1), 147-155. IF = 3.65

Kalynovska N, Diallo M, Sotáková-Kašparová D, Paleček J. Losartan attenuates neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 2020; 24(14); 7949-7958 . IF = 4.49

Mrózková; P., Špicarová; D., Paleček; J. Spinal PAR2 Activation Contributes to Hypersensitivity Induced by Peripheral Inflammation in Rats. IJMS. 2021; 22(3)); 991 . IF = 5.9, Q1

M. Heles, P. Mrozkova, D. Sulcova, P. Adamek, D. Spicarova and J. Palecek, Chemokine CCL2 prevents opioid induced inhibition of nociceptive synaptic transmission in spinal cord dorsal horn. Journal of Neuroinflammation (2021) 18:279, IF=8.23, Q1

P Adamek, M Heles, A Bhattacharyya, M Pontearso, J Slepicka and J Palecek. Dual PI3Kδ/γ Inhibitor Duvelisib Prevents Development of Neuropathic Pain in Model of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. Journal of Neuroscience IF = 6.2, Q1 (2022)

Supervisor:  Jiri Palecek, M.D., Ph.D.,

Candidate Requirements: The candidate should have a Masters' degree in biological, medical or chemical sciences, or be due to complete their studies in this academic year.  Experience in physiology, cell biology, molecular biology or electrophysiology techniques would be an advantage. Candidates should be fluent in Czech or English.