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Our laboratory, located in Prague’s Krč district,
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deals with the analyses of microorganisms found in humans and animals.
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We focus on hard-to-collect anaerobic bacteria and fungi
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inhabiting the digestive tract as well as the skin, lungs or biogas installations.
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The animal gut microbiota is irreplaceable
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- it participates in the decomposition of nutrients
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and the production of metabolites beneficial to the host,
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stimulates the host’s immune system
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and prevents its contamination by harmful microorganisms.
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Furthermore, it also plays a role in a number of diseases of civilization
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such as obesity, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, tumours
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as well as diseases seemingly unrelated to the digestive tract
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such as autism and Alzheimer’s disease.
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We aim to describe the changes and importance of microbiota
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in the course of these diseases
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and are interested in the effects of diet or treatment on the host microbiome.
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By analysing the skin microbiome of experimental minipigs,
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we were able to detect crucial differences between healthy skin and melanomas.
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We have identified bacteria that are associated with tumour growth.
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In cooperation with physicians, we examined the human gut microbiome
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affected by inflammatory bowel diseases and its changes
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during faecal microbiota transplantation used as experimental treatment.
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We are also interested in the role of microorganisms in the environment
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such as the link between the rumen microbiota and methane emission in beef cattle.
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We use two approaches in our research:
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The first is the isolation and description of pure strains of bacteria and fungi.
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We focus on probiotic bacteria in humans,
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animals and insects found mostly in the digestive tract.
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Our team has already described two dozen of new taxa within these bacteria.
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The second approach is of molecular genetic nature.
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It involves the analysis of complex environmental samples
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such as chyme, faeces, stool, biowaste or rumen fluid.
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For this purpose, we perform DNA isolation,
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PCR amplification of microbial genes
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and their subsequent sequencing and analysis.
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The results of our work are regularly presented at international conferences
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and published in prestigious scientific journals.
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In addition, the education of new scientists also forms an integral part of our work.
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Our team has hosted a number of students:
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from high school students to graduates and PhD students
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from both Czech and foreign universities.