15th Host Pathogen Interaction Forum

Scientific work is preferably aimed at the studies of the host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level. The objectives of this research splits in three main topics: biomolecular signatures of biological agents potentially abused for the military, terroristic or bio-crime acts, intracellular fate of ingested microbes and finally the modulation of host cell signalling and gene expression by ongoing infection. The favourite microbial model is live vaccine strain of Francisella tularensis, a gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen from the gamma subdivision of Proteobacteriae.

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The second branch of the research involves the clinical studies utilizing the post-genomic approaches for identification of new biomarkers of different pathological processes or side effects of anti-tumor therapy.

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Laboratories of the Institute are currently equipped for realization of complete classical and shotgun proteomic analyses. The materials for analyses are prepared in the Institute’s tissue culture and microbiological labs. In parallel, the basic search for gene expression can be performed using quantitative real-time PCR technology. The established technologies enable researchers, Ph.D. students, and under-graduate students to realize complex studies oriented on the analyses of living system response to external (and internal, modulatory) signals encompassing the chemicals, biologically active bio-molecules, physical influences (temperature, radiation, etc.), and microorganisms.

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During the year 2008 the Institute traditionally cooperated with the military medical and research facility in Sweden (FOI NBC-Defence, Umea) on preparation of Francisella tularensis knock-outs. The further scientific contacts involved National Center for Glycomics and Glycoproteomics, Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, USA – mass spectrometry analysis of bacterial glycoproteins, Unité de Pathogénie des Infections Systémiques, Faculté de Médecine, Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France –comparative proteomic studies of Francisella tularensis deletion mutants, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, Bratislava, Slovak Republic – proteomic analysis of acetonitrile extracts of Coxiella burnetii, and, finally Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, IMSB, ETH Zurich – proteome analysis of outer membrane and lipd rafts component of host cells infected by Francisella tularensis and Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka – microscopical analysis of microbial intracellular trafficking.

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Within the frame of the Czech Republic, the Institute has useful contacts with the Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, the Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Science, Česke Budějovice, the Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, the University Hospital in Hradec Králové, Department of Biological and Biochemical Science, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Department of Pharmacology of Medical Faculty in Hradec Králové, Department of Oncological and Experimental Pathology Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno and Veterinary Research Institute in Brno.

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The financial support for research activities performed in the collaboration with above-mentioned Institutes comes from the programmes and projects of Czech Grant Agencies and Ministry of Defence. Currently, the Institute for Molecular Pathology has 12 full-time permanent employees, 9 scientists, 2 technicians and 1 administrative worker, two additional scientists have part-time positions and, finally, and 1 postdoc is supported from grant funds. The Institute has currently 12 PhD students and, furthermore, several undergraduates have been working on their diploma thesis in the Institute.