Projects & Grants
| Application of modern molecular and genomic analyses for the study of protist virulence and metabolism | |
|---|---|
| Project Id | SGS03/PŘF/2026 |
| Main solver | Mgr. Jiří Pergner, Ph.D. |
| Period | 1/2026 - 12/2026 |
| Provider | Specifický VŠ výzkum |
| State | solved |
| Anotation | The proposed project integrates several subprojects connected by the use of modern molecular biology and genetics methods, complemented by bioinformatic analyses, to study the metabolism and virulence of protist organisms. The width of the research plan reflects the diversity of topics addressed by the principal investigator and co-investigators, focusing particularly on: 1. Investigating the influence of RNA viruses on the virulence and metabolism of parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania; 2. Describing the role of the NIPSNAP protein in the metabolism of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania mexicana and exploring the potential of drugs targeting this protein for the treatment of leishmaniases; 3. Studying the role of the nucleotide containing base J, which is specifically found in RNA molecules of the parasite L. mexicana; 4. Establishing molecular tools for studying the non-parasitic protozoan Novymonas esmeraldas, which may serve as a model for understanding the evolution of trypanosomatid adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle; 5. Characterizing a new representative of Amoebozoa, class Variosea, discovered as a contaminating organism in an algal culture; 6. Using the protist Desmodesmus armatus to detect environmental contamination by heavy metals. The topics studied focus primarily on basic research, although some parts aim to lay the foundation for future applied research. The project timeline reflects the progress of dissertation research undertaken by the participating co-investigators. The results will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Given the large number of international students involved (7 out of 8 co-investigators), the individual parts of the project are presented in English. |
| Total Costs | 1 056 000 CZK |
