Full-time study

4 years

prof. RNDr. Ivana Márová, CSc.

Chairman :
prof. RNDr. Ivana Márová, CSc.
Councillor internal :
prof. Mgr. Václav Brázda, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Eva Vítová, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Stanislav Obruča, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Adriána Kovalčík, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Pavel Diviš, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
prof. RNDr. Jiří Doškař, CSc.
prof. Ing. Jana Hajšlová, CSc.
Ing. Martin Polovka, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Milan Čertík, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. František Buňka, Ph.D.

1. Biotechnological production of polyhydroxyalkanoates within the concept of Next-Generation Industrial Biotechnology

   Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are polyesters of microbial origin that have many interesting properties and potential applications. This dissertation will aim at studying the biotechnological production of PHA following the current concept of Next-Generation Industrial Biotechnology using waste substrates from the food industry. This concept is based on the employment of extremophilic microorganisms as robust production hosts, the utilization of extremophiles significantly reduces the risk of microbial contamination of the biotechnological process, which is positively reflected in the economic parameters of the production. As part of the dissertation, PHA production will be studied in several selected extremophiles, including extremophile representatives belonging to the group of purple bacteria. The attention will be focused both on a comprehensive understanding of PHA metabolism and its regulation, as well as on biotechnological aspects of potential PHA production and optimization of individual cultivation strategies and individual parameters.

   Tutor: Sedláček Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Biotechnological production of polyhydroxyalkanoates within the concept of Next-Generation Industrial Biotechnology

   Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are polyesters of microbial origin that have many interesting properties and potential applications. This dissertation will aim at studying the biotechnological production of PHA following the current concept of Next-Generation Industrial Biotechnology using waste substrates from the food industry. This concept is based on the employment of extremophilic microorganisms as robust production hosts, the utilization of extremophiles significantly reduces the risk of microbial contamination of the biotechnological process, which is positively reflected in the economic parameters of the production. As part of the dissertation, PHA production will be studied in several selected extremophiles, including extremophile representatives belonging to the group of purple bacteria. The attention will be focused both on a comprehensive understanding of PHA metabolism and its regulation, as well as on biotechnological aspects of potential PHA production and optimization of individual cultivation strategies and individual parameters.

   Tutor: Sedláček Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Molecular biological approaches in the analysis of nucleic acids and proteins in foods and food supplements

   Nucleic acids and proteins are among the biopolymers that are the basic structural and functional molecules of all living organisms. While nucleic acids store genetic information, proteins have structural, transport, catalytic, regulatory, protective functions in the body. Proteins and nucleic acids are also found in most foods from plant and animal production. Contamination of food by various pathogenic organisms causes a great danger in food, on the other hand a number of microorganisms are used in the food industry in a targeted manner and probiotic bacteria have a positive effect on the microflora of the large intestine. Within this topic, molecular biology methods will be used to characterize the authenticity, composition of food, pathogenic viruses and microorganisms with emphasis on pathogens that may be primarily or secondarily introduced into the food matrix. The used methodological procedures have a wide range of uses in the analysis of raw materials, food and medical applications. Cooperation with a foreign workplace is expected.

   Tutor: Brázda Václav, prof. Mgr., Ph.D.

4. Production, characterization and biological effects of enriched mixed microbial biomass

   This thesis is focused on study of use of some microorganisms and medical funghi to effective production of enriched mixed biomass applicable to feed, food supplements and cosmetics. Biomass will be produced by some types of co-cultivation and by combination of biomass of individua microorganisms cultivated on suitable waste materials. Biomass will be characterized in total, then some fractions and biomolecules will be separated and characterized as well. As a part of this study optimization of methods for evaluation of complex effect of prepared cell mixtures on living systems. Antioxidative effect will be evaluated spectrophotometrically, antimicrobial effect will be evaluated using several types of test microorganisms. Safety, quality and biological effect will be studied using a battery of cytotoxicity tests on human cell lines with different type of detection. Cell extracts will be stabilized by encapsulation. Detailed characterization of application forms will be performed and long-term stability in some model and reals conditions will be tested.

   Tutor: Mikulíková Renata, doc. RNDr., Ph.D.

5. Production, characterization and biological effects of enriched mixed microbial biomass

   This thesis is focused on study of use of some microorganisms and medical funghi to effective production of enriched mixed biomass applicable to feed, food supplements and cosmetics. Biomass will be produced by some types of co-cultivation and by combination of biomass of individua microorganisms cultivated on suitable waste materials. Biomass will be characterized in total, then some fractions and biomolecules will be separated and characterized as well. As a part of this study optimization of methods for evaluation of complex effect of prepared cell mixtures on living systems. Antioxidative effect will be evaluated spectrophotometrically, antimicrobial effect will be evaluated using several types of test microorganisms. Safety, quality and biological effect will be studied using a battery of cytotoxicity tests on human cell lines with different type of detection. Cell extracts will be stabilized by encapsulation. Detailed characterization of application forms will be performed and long-term stability in some model and reals conditions will be tested.

   Tutor: Mikulíková Renata, doc. RNDr., Ph.D.

6. Production, characterization and biological effects of enriched mixed microbial biomass

   This thesis is focused on study of use of some microorganisms and medical funghi to effective production of enriched mixed biomass applicable to feed, food supplements and cosmetics. Biomass will be produced by some types of co-cultivation and by combination of biomass of individua microorganisms cultivated on suitable waste materials. Biomass will be characterized in total, then some fractions and biomolecules will be separated and characterized as well. As a part of this study optimization of methods for evaluation of complex effect of prepared cell mixtures on living systems. Antioxidative effect will be evaluated spectrophotometrically, antimicrobial effect will be evaluated using several types of test microorganisms. Safety, quality and biological effect will be studied using a battery of cytotoxicity tests on human cell lines with different type of detection. Cell extracts will be stabilized by encapsulation. Detailed characterization of application forms will be performed and long-term stability in some model and reals conditions will be tested.

   Tutor: Mikulíková Renata, doc. RNDr., Ph.D.

7. Production, characterization and biological effects of enriched mixed microbial biomass

   This thesis is focused on study of use of some microorganisms and medical funghi to effective production of enriched mixed biomass applicable to feed, food supplements and cosmetics. Biomass will be produced by some types of co-cultivation and by combination of biomass of individua microorganisms cultivated on suitable waste materials. Biomass will be characterized in total, then some fractions and biomolecules will be separated and characterized as well. As a part of this study optimization of methods for evaluation of complex effect of prepared cell mixtures on living systems. Antioxidative effect will be evaluated spectrophotometrically, antimicrobial effect will be evaluated using several types of test microorganisms. Safety, quality and biological effect will be studied using a battery of cytotoxicity tests on human cell lines with different type of detection. Cell extracts will be stabilized by encapsulation. Detailed characterization of application forms will be performed and long-term stability in some model and reals conditions will be tested.

   Tutor: Mikulíková Renata, doc. RNDr., Ph.D.

8. Study of the interaction of natural and synthetic substances in food with nucleic acids

   Nucleic acids are found in all cells. For DNA, the most common structure is the so-called B-DNA structure, however, DNA is a very dynamic molecule and depending on its environment, sequence and interaction with other molecules and proteins, it can occur in many other double or multi-stranded structures. RNA is an even more dynamic molecule, and its proper arrangement is essential for its proper function. Within this topic, molecular biological methods will be used to investigate how foods and dietary supplements interact with nucleic acids and their various structural motifs. As part of the study, bioinformatic and biophysical and molecular biological methods will be used to study the occurrence of local structures in nucleic acids and their interaction with substances that are used in medicine and the food industry.

   Tutor: Brázda Václav, prof. Mgr., Ph.D.