Projects

International

BACFOOD – Bakteriocíny a ich prospešnosť pri redukcii nežiaducich, biofilm-produkujúcich baktérií z potravín a z prostredia ich výroby
Bacteriocins and their benefits in reduction of spoilage, biofilm-producing bacteria from food products and food industry environment
Program:	Bilaterálne – iné
Project leader:	MVDr. Lauková Andrea CSc.
Annotation:	Food safety but also hygiene and safety of food industry environment are of prime concern to both, industry and consumers. In fact food security depends on food safety and control of food spoilage. The most inspected regarding these aims are products of dairy and meat industry. In spite of the maintaining all ISO rules and HACCP rules, contamination can occur in the food chain from roducer to consumer and the consequence is a decrease of the product quality. At recent time, the frequent studies are related to problems with biofilm-producing bacteria; they are in biofilm which is protective for them; it means they are more resistant to survive. This project therefore will solve use and benefit of bacteriocins (antimicrobial substances produced by some bacteria) to reduce spoilage biofilm-producing bacteria from food and food industry environment.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2021

ANIMBACHEL – Bakteriocíny, bezpečný spôsob redukovania na antibiotiká rezistentné baktérie pre zachovanie zdravého chovu prasiat
Bacteriocins, a safe way to inhibit antibiotic resistant bacteria from pigs for healthy farming
Program:	Bilaterálne – iné
Project leader:	MVDr. Lauková Andrea CSc.
Annotation:	In Serbia, pigs production is related to commercial farms, family farms type A and B, backyard holding and free-range animals. The majority of farmers is facing with different health issues in herds, financial difficulties and not able to overcome the problems in the production. Their production strategies often rely to antimicrobial therapy. As a consequence, different groups od ATB have wide application at pig farms as prophylactic and therapeutic measure; it leads to the development of resitant microbiota in herd population. Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as major clinical and public health concern due to its negative effects reflected in prolonged, complicated therapy course and inadequate control of spreading resistant bacteria. That is necessary to find strategy how to reduce this atb pressure. One promising way how to stop/reduce ATb resistant bacteria represent bacteriocins. They are substances of proteinacoeus character with antimicrobial effect against more or less relative bacteria. In this project inhibition activity of bacteriocins/enterocins (produced by probiotic E. faecium strains from SK) against especially to ATB resistant coliforms isolated from pigs will be tested with the aim to find a new strategy to reduce antibiotic resistant strains in breeding. This is original and perspective method which brings benefit for both partners; for healthy farming and for study antimicrobial spectrum of enterocins.
Duration:	15.2.2019 – 31.12.2021

BioBrillouin – Brillouinova svetelná mikrospektrometria v biologickom a biomedicínskom základnom a aplikovanom výskume.
Brillouin Light Scattering Microspectroscopy for Biological and Biomedical Research and Applications.
Program:	COST
Project leader:	Mgr. Bágeľová Poláková Silvia PhD.
Annotation:	This BioBrillouin Action will establish a collaborative network of European researchers and instrument developers working in the field of Brillouin Light Scattering Spectroscopy (BLSS) applied to life sciences and health related problems. BLSS uses visible or infrared light from a laser source to probe the mechanics of a material through light scattering from thermally induced acoustic modes. It can give access to the viscoelasticity and structure of matter in a non-destructive contactless way, and when coupled to optical (confocal) microscopy, has proven to be particularly well suited for biomedical applications. Though an established tool in condensed matter physics, only more recently has BLSS seen promising applications in the life sciences and medical diagnostics. This can largely be attributed to advances in instrument (spectrometer) design coupled with increasing interest in the biomechanics of cells and tissues and their relation to disease, underlying genetics and biochemistry. There are now a significant and increasing number of researchers actively working in BLSS for biomedical research in Europe. It is the aim of the BioBrillouin Action to for the first time bring together the diverse community working in the field, which includes instrument developers, physicists, chemists, biologists and clinicians, with the core aim of stimulating collaboration, promoting technological advancement and paving the way towards routine life science research and clinical applications of BLSS.
Project web page:	http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/ca/CA16124?management
Duration:	28.2.2017 – 27.2.2021

Nové diagnostické a terapeutické nástroje v liečbe mnoholiekovej rezistencie nádorov
New diagnostic and therapeutic tools against multidrug resistant tumors
Program:	COST
Project leader:	Mgr. Messingerová Lucia PhD.
Duration:	11.9.2018 – 10.9.2022

EpiLipidNET – Paneurópska sieť pre lipidomiku a epilipidomiku
Pan-European Network in Lipidomics and Epilipidomics
Program:	COST
Project leader:	Mgr. Balážová Mária PhD.
Annotation:	Lipids represent a wide variety of molecules that play different biological roles such as energy resources, structural components or signaling molecules that regulate metabolic homeostasis. Most notably, lipids and oxidatively modified lipids have been found to be involved in regulating important mechanisms mediating tissue injury, inflammation, and related non-communicable diseases, which are responsible for near 70% of all deaths in developed countries.Lipidomics and Epilipidomics are the most promising strategies for the progress in the knowledge of lipids, aiming at biomarker discovery for the prevention, early diagnosis, monitoring, evaluation of diseases therapeutics. These approaches involve the use of complex protocols, different instrumentation and processing huge amounts of data. Effectiveness, while reducing the high costs associated with these technologies, requires a harmonized multidisciplinary approach involving coordinated actions from pan-European centres of lipidomics investigation. This will avoid unnecessary redundancy, improving reproducibility and ensuring efficient and productive research.EpiLipidNET aims to build and maintain a multidisciplinary pan-European network of researchers, clinicians and enterprises working in the field of lipidomics and epilipidomics to boost a hub of research excellence, advanced knowledge and technology transfer, to promote high level of training for young researches and facilitate clinical translation. EpiLipidNet will include five interactive Working Groups covering analytical methods and computational approaches in (epi)Lipidomics, clinical significance and applications, lipid signaling and mechanisms of action, dissemination and outreach.
Project web page:	https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA19105/#tabs|Name:overview
Duration:	13.10.2020 – 12.10.2024

Prospešnosť aplikácie bakteriocínov v diéte koní
Benefits of bacteriocins application in horse diet
Program:	Medziakademická dohoda (MAD)
Project leader:	MVDr. Lauková Andrea CSc.
Annotation:	The aim of the project is to study the possible beneficial effect of enterocins on horse breeds in Slovakia/Poland. The natural substances (provided by the Slovak partner) will be used to maintain healthy conditions in horses. In the study microbiota, hematology, biochemistry, phagocytic and enzymatic/metabolic activity parameters will be analysed. In addition, it will be possible to isolate a new active bacteriocin from faecal samples of horses from Poland. The scientific area of the study is actual, only limited information is available regarding the horses microbiota and the effect of bacteriocins on the physiological parameters in those animals.The expected results will be the principal contribution to the knowledge of horses microbiota (also their welfare and health) which is still limited. Apart from enterocins analyses and their usefulness in horses we will perform detail sequencing of the faecal samples to distinguish microbiota profile from phyla to the species occurrence which will allow to extent the present knowledge in this field.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2022

National

ALTREAT – Alternatívne terapie parazitóz malých prežúvavcov
Alternative parasite control of small ruminant
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	MVDr. Váradyová Zora PhD
Annotation:	Diseases caused by helminths of farm animals are among the most serious infectious diseases. They account for over 55% of all livestock diseases in Europe and cause significant losses in animal production figures. The spread of anthelmintic resistance in livestock parasites has led to the failure of therapy and the need to developnew strategies and recommendations for effective control of the antihelminthic parasite resistance. The project offers an alternative strategies to currently used chemotherapy solutions, namely the concept of herbal nutraceuticals as feed for ruminants with an effect against gastrointestinal parasitoses.
Duration:	1.7.2019 – 30.6.2023

Analýza alelovo-špecifickej regulácie expresie CD33
Analyses of allele-specific regulation of CD33 expression
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Královičová Jana PhD.
Duration:	1.1.2018 – 31.12.2021

iPoW – Behaviorálne a fyziologické indikátory welfaru hydiny
Behavioural and physiological indicators of poultry welfare
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	RNDr. Košťál Ľubor CSc.
Annotation:	Factors influencing animal welfare include physical environment and resources available to the animal (resource-based indicators) as well as farm management practices (management-based indicators). Depending on its characteristics (breed, sex, age, etc.), the animal responds to these inputs and its responses are evaluated using animal-based welfare indicators. The EU funded project Welfare Quality®, as well as the EFSA\’s scientific opinions, have provided the toolbox of animal-based welfare indicators for various livestock species, including poultry. Nevertheless, there is still need to develop more specific indicators and new methods for measuring the established indicators. The aim of the project is to help with solving the problem of damaging behaviour in group housed laying hens without the need of painful beak-trimming, to contribute to the understanding of the relation between cognition and emotions in poultry, to assess the possibility of affecting welfare status by epigenetic effects of maternal androgens using Japanese quail lines selected for testosterone content in eggs as a model,to study the epigenetic effects of light quality during prenatal and early postnatal period on welfare, to analyse the possibility of using the immunological indicators of welfare status and to validate laboratory procedures for the analysis of corticosterone and androgen metabolites in poultry droppings, that could serve as a non-invasive welfare indicator.
Duration:	1.8.2018 – 30.6.2022

Biomarkery nutričného a zdravotného statusu hospodárskych zvierat
Nutritional and health biomarkers in farm animals
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	MVDr. Grešáková Ľubomíra PhD.
Annotation:	Proposal project is focused on the investigation of appropriate dietary and health biomarkers reflecting the dietary intake, nutritional status and biological effects of feed additives used in animal nutrition. Nutritional biomarkers are biochemical, functional, or clinical indices of animal status that reflect nutrient exposure (recent or long term), nutritional status depending on digestibility, absorption and utilisation of dietary nutrient, and nutrient metabolism/effect in animal body. Effective gastrointestinal functionality is crucial in determining animal health, welfare and performance, therefore we will focus on the biomarker determination of gastrointestinal functionality. The suitability of selected biomarkers will be tested in experiments by animal feed supplementation. The experiments will be aimed to improve the mineral status and optimize digestive processes in poultry and sheep to minimize the environmental pollution by the reduction of methanogenesis and excretion of heavy metals.
Duration:	1.1.2021 – 31.12.2024

BIOZINC – Biovyužiteľnosť zinku u hospodárskych zvierat – možnosti a riešenia
Bioavailability of zinc in animals – the possibilities and solutions
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	RNDr. Čobanová Klaudia PhD.
Annotation:	The objectives of the presented project proposal are aimed at obtaining a new knowledge about thebioavailability of zinc from various prevalently organic sources currently used as feed additives in animal nutrition. We will study the impact of plant secondary metabolites, fiber type and phytase activity in the diet on zinc absorption, retention and tissue deposition in ruminants and monogastric animals. At the same time, we willexamine the effect of organic zinc and herbal nutraceuticals on the physiological processes of the gastrointestinal tract in in vitro and in vivo conditions and the antioxidant status of animals. Our principal intention will be to enhance the potentials of an efficient use of mineral additives in animal nutrition and thus contribute to the reduction of the negative impact of animal husbandry on the environment.
Duration:	1.8.2018 – 30.6.2022

EMBRYOLOSS – Etiológia porúch skorého preimplantačného vývinu
Etiology of early preimplantation development disorders
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	MVDr. Fabian Dušan DrSc.
Annotation:	Decreasing rates of early embryo survival after sucessfull fertilization cause economic losses in animal production. Embryo survival depends on the extent of induced disorders and ability of embryo to repair them. Using mouse model, the project will study molecular mechanisms by which selected exogenous (environmental burden) and endogenous factors (disordered maternal milieux) cause preimplantation development failure. Signaling pathways activated by specific ligands originating from environment and from maternal organism will be analyzed. Outcomes will elucidate mechanisms of developmental disorders induced by insecticides with embryotoxic potential and by maternal obesity. Collaterally, project will assess the effectivity of two basic reparatory mechanisms in preimplantation embryos: elimination of damaged cells and repair of damaged DNA. Results will bring new information on the physiological abilities of early embryonic cells to cope with externally induced disorders. Findings should help with solving problem of gradually increasing incidence of post-conceptional infertility.
Duration:	1.7.2019 – 30.6.2023

Funkčná analýza nových proteínov potrebných pre meiotickú rekombináciu
Functional analysis of new proteins required for meiotic recombination.
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Bágeľová Poláková Silvia PhD.
Annotation:	Sexual reproduction is primarily dependent on meiosis, a specialized cell division that generates haploid cells from diploid progenitors. It is absolutely essential that the halving of chromosome number is achieved accurately, because errors in this process can lead to genetic diseases such as Down Syndrome. The aim of our research project is to understand the molecular function of new proteins required for meiotic chromosome segregation in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. To identify new proteins required for meiotic chromosome segregation, we screened S. pombe deletion mutant library. We have identified 25 new proteins, which have not yet been implicated in meiosis. The functional analysis of three of these proteins Dbl2, Mal3 and Mto1 has been recently published (Polakova et al., 2016; 2014). The results of this screening demonstrate that many of the key regulators of meiotic chromosome segregation have not yet been described, and thus open exciting possibilities for future research projects.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2021

FUPKOPROSP – Funkčné potraviny na báze kozieho mlieka a ich prospešnosť pre zdravie
Functional food based on goats milk and its benefit on health
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	MVDr. Lauková Andrea CSc.
Annotation:	Functional food, can be characterized as common and/or traditional food enriched with special component;component will allott to that that food term functional meaning immunity stimulation, tracy elements addition tothe body following the principal aim to have beneficial effect on health. Relating to dairy industry or agriculture,nowadays is prefering goats milk and/or products made up from it. In the framework of functional food is verypopular and acceptable involving of probiotic bacteria; after their colonization in host organism, they can formideal environment which with their metabolites or with their involving in the receptors influencing immune systemcan beneficially influence host organism.These bacteria can reach host organism/consumer by two ways: per osor via food. The project is focused on isolation, identification, general and technological characterization ofautochtonnous lactic acid bacteria from goats milk and cheese of different Slovak producers; suitable, selectedstrain will be applied into product made up of goats milk in semi-processing (laboratory) conditions as well as indairy-farming – customer of project application output condition; then the application form and effect of that onefunctional food will be tested using volonters (via consumption of cheese or the other products made up of goatsmilk). Application output will be the authochtonnous culture which could be used for technological processing of goats milk and/or products made up of it; these together with their final benefit on cunsumer health could allottthat product to functional food.
Duration:	1.8.2018 – 31.7.2022

Charakterizácia biosyntetickej dráhy kardiolipínu kvasinky Schizosaccharomyces pombe ako modelovej eukaryotickej bunky
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Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	RNDr. Griač Peter CSc.
Annotation:	Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe represents an important unicellular model organism to studymolecular and cell biology of eukaryotes. Our knowledge of mitochondrial lipid biogenesis of this yeast is onlyvery limited. That prevents the use of S. pombe as a model to study mitochondrial disease mechanisms and as atool to discover therapies. Goal of the proposed project is characterization of the biosynthetic pathway of a uniquemitochondrial phospholipid, cardiolipin (CL). We will analyze enzymes of this pathway with the focus on CLsynthase, phosphatidylglycerolphosphate (PGP) synthase, PGP phosphatase as well as enzymes responsible forCL remodeling. We will study regulation of CL biosynthetic pathway on transcriptional and posttranscriptionallevels. We will compare CL biogenesis in S. pombe, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and higher eukaryotes toevaluate the suitability of S. pombe as a unicellular eukaryotic model to study mitochondrial processes.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2022

Charakterizácia nového kvasinkového modelu pre štúdium Barthovho syndrómu.
Characterization of new yeast model of Barth syndrome.
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Balážová Mária PhD.
Annotation:	Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a serious hereditary mitochondrial disorder characterized by a decrease in totalcardiolipin (CL) and in accumulation of its precursor monolyso-CL due to the loss of transacylase tafazzin. Themolecular basis underlying the pathology of BTHS is still not well understood. The aim of this project ischaracterization of a new yeast model of BTHS (pgc1taz1) and its validation for the study of the role of differentlipids, phospholipids and sphingolipids, on mitochondrial morphology, function, and reactive oxygen speciesproduction. Yeast model system will highly enhance the capacity to identify molecular mechanism how changesin membrane lipids lead to defects in mitochondrial functions and morphology not only in BTHS but also in othermitochondrial disorders.
Duration:	1.1.2018 – 31.12.2021

Interakcie mitochondriálnych genómov
Interactions of mitochondrial genomes
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Bágeľová Poláková Silvia PhD.
Annotation:	Evolution and the origin of new species can be studied experimentally in yeasts, where new species arise in the process of speciation from interspecific hybrids. Hereby the crucial role play “out of tune” nucleo-mitochondrial interactions. Our aim is to use a number of hybrids with recombined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and known sequence to complete the aims from previous projects as well as to elucidate: (i) nucleo-mitochondrial interactions in interspecific hybrids; (ii) the nature of gain-of-function mutations that allow the cell to adapt toforeign mtDNA; (iii) whether mitochondrial protein synthesis is required to maintain complete mitochondrial genomes; (iv) to obtain evidence for the species-specific gene order in mtDNA and for the existence of recombined mtDNAs in nature; (v) to investigate the possibility of rearranging of the gene order in mtDNA; (vi) to investigate the possibility of communication in yeast mitochondria through small proteins encoded by the genes for mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

Kontrola integrity DNA v preimplantačnom embryu
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Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	MVDr. Baran Vladimír CSc.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2021

Kotranskripčné formovanie pre-mRNA štruktúry, model štrukturálnych motívov nevyhnutných pre definíciu exónu
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Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Mgr. Královičová Jana PhD.
Duration:	1.7.2019 – 30.6.2023

Kožný mikrobióm psov za fyziologických a patologických podmienok
The skin microbiome in dogs under physiological and pathological conditions
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	MVDr. Strompfová Viola DrSc.
Annotation:	The complex community of microorganisms involved in important physiological functions, such as the biosynthesis of vitamins and amino acids or modulation of immune responses, is present not only in the gastrointestinal tract but also on the surface of intergumentary system in both humans and animals. Seeing that it is organ continually exposed to environmental conditions, many factors can contribute to the development of dysbiosis leading to various dermatological problems very frequent in dogs nowdays. However, knowledge about the composition, diversity and functions of skin microbiota in dogs is negligible. The aim of this project will be the taxonomic characterization of skin microbiota detected using cultivation and next-generation sequencing, focusing on healthy individuals and individuals with various skin diseases predominantly of infectious and immune character. The possibilities of optimizing/stabilizing bacterial skin colonization for maintenance of physiological skin functions will also be tested.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

Kryofertilita – Kryouchovávanie gamét a embryí hovädzieho dobytka pre účely génovej banky
Cryopreservation of cattle gametes and embryos for gene banking
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	RNDr. Antalíková Jana PhD.
Annotation:	Cryopreservation and subsequent long-term preservation of gametes from genetically significant individuals of different livestock breeds play an important role in solving the issue of preserving animal gene resources. The methods of freezing of oocytes and ovarian tissues must ensure their good quality and viability after thawing. In ourprevious studies, we tested the in vitro cryopreservation procedure of mature bovine oocytes, which proved to be more successful compared to freezing of ovarian fragments containing follicles with immature oocytes. However, due to the high variability of results after in vitro fertilization of thawed oocytes, this strategy requires furtheroptimization. The project will be focused on increasing the survival of oocytes after thawing and minimizing freezing damages to oocytes, as well as on promoting cell division and development of preimplantation embryos in vitro derived from frozen oocytes. In this concern, besides optimizing the cryopreservation regime, we plan to modify theculture conditions by using special additives to the culture media (antioxidants, growth factors, etc.). It is expected that optimization of the methods would ensure greater cryotolerance of bovine oocytes and in vitro produced embryos for gene bank preservation purposes.
Duration:	1.7.2020 – 30.6.2024

Kyselina puniková: produkcia a mechanizmy jej účinku v kvasinkách
Punicic acid: production and mechanisms of its action in yeasts
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Holič Roman PhD.
Annotation:	Punic acid (18: 3Delta9cis, 11trans, 13cis) is the major constituent of triacylglycerols in pomegranate seed oil. It is characterized by a wide range of bioactive effects including currently highly attractive anti-cancer properties. Mechanisms of its action are unknown. The project is focused on the examination of its heterologous production and lipotoxicity in yeasts. Punicic acid production will be achieved by heterologous expression of two pomegranate genes involved in its biosynthesis. Project will focus on distribution of punicic acid in the cell, its effect on cell division, and mechanisms facilitating its efficient storage in the form of storage lipids. The acquired knowledge will contribute to the elucidation of anticancer effects of punicic acid and identification of factors necessary for its overproduction in yeast. Obtained results can be applied also in biotechnological production of other unusual fatty acids in microorganisms.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

Mechanizmy komunikácie a adaptácie preimplantačného embrya v narušenom prostredí
Mechanisms of communication and adaptation of preimplantation embryo in a disturbed environment
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	RNDr. Čikoš Štefan DrSc.
Annotation:	Maternal physiological condition and environmental factors can significantly influence preimplantation embryo development. Disturbances at this developmental period can have long-term consequences, including unsuccessful gravidity or impaired offspring health, and can cause economic losses in animal production. The proposed project will study mechanisms involved in the communication of early mammalian embryo with the surrounding environment and responses enabling the early embryo to adapt to changes in its environment. Expression of specific types of cell receptors (especially receptors binding small-molecule ligands) in preimplantation embryos and effects of their activation on the embryo development, especially on the cell survivaland apoptosis will be studied. Mechanisms of dead cell elimination in preimplantation embryo will be studied as well. Results obtained in the mouse model will be verified in selected farm animals to identify conserved mechanisms or to reveal possible inter-species differences.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2022

Napäťovo závislé vápnikové kanály v nocicepcii
Voltage dependent calcium channels in nociception.
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	prof. RNDr. Lacinová Ľubica DrSc.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2021

Nová generácia antidepresív – dlhodobé účinky na potomstvo
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Program:	APVV
Project leader:	prof. RNDr. Lacinová Ľubica DrSc.
Duration:	1.7.2020 – 30.6.2024

Nova generácia kŕmnych aditív vo výžive zvierat.
New generation of feed additives in animal nutrition.
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	MVDr. Plachá Iveta PhD
Annotation:	Recently, we have recorded a large number of scientific publications dedicated to the use of phytoadditives in animal nutrition. In particular those containing phenolic constituents with strong antioxidative properties. Most of the studies examined particularly the production performance. Whereas majority of scientific works is devoted to the commercial use only limited number of scientifically verified works is focused on the mechanism of action and metabolism of plant compounds. Based on our current knowledge we set a goal to research the metabolic biotransformation of the main bioactive component of Thymus vulgaris, thymol. The obtained results will enhance our current knowledge regarding its absorption and distribution in animal organism. The wide scientific community will be enriched by the results concerning the mechanism of action of main compounds of plant feed additives in animal organism as these knowledges are still lacking in scientific literature.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

SPLICONC – Objasnenie mechanizmov posttranslačnej regulácie faktorov zostrihu RNA pri udržiavaní stability genómu
Unravelling the mechanisms of post-translational regulation of RNA splicing factors in maintenance of genome integrity
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Mgr. Bágeľová Poláková Silvia PhD.
Annotation:	Several mutations in RNA biogenesis factors have been implicated in human cancers. Early studies linked RNA processing defects with genome instability phenotypes such as hyper-mutation and hyper-recombination. Since then, recent functional genomic studies have implicated several more aspects of RNA processing in genome instability and revealed that virtually every major aspect of RNA processing is potentially mutable to a genome instability phenotype and in some cases are coupling RNA processing defects to increased RNA:DNA hybrid- mediated R-loop formation, which in turn constitute a major source of genome instability across species. Despite it is now clear that RNA processing defects could destabilize genomes, the molecular mechanism of post-translational regulations of RNA processing and its connections to genome instability are not clear. Our project is aimed at a detailed analysis of the regulatory role of phosphorylation for functions of splicing factors that co-purified with the recently identified spliceosome-associated Nrl1 protein of fission yeast S. pombe. We showed Nrl1 protein be involved in suppression of accumulation of genome threating RNA:DNA hybrids, structures formed during RNA processing. The experimental approaches include protein purifications and phospho proteomics analysis, which will help us to identify post-translational modifications of splicing factors. Analysis of phenotypes of phospho mutants of splicing factors employ fluorescence/live-cell microscopy, analysis of splicing defects of these mutants using RT-PCR or transcriptome sequencing, followed by analysis of their sensitivity to DNA damaging agents and analysis of their defects in DNA repair pathways. The obtained data should bring especially completely new information concerning the regulatory roles of post-translational modifications associated with the defects of RNA processing leading to genome instability that may be important as possible targets for anti-cancer therapy.
Duration:	1.7.2017 – 30.6.2021

Omnipotence – Obranné mechanizmy mikrobiálnych a živočíšnych buniek pri znižovaní ich citlivosti na rastlinné defenzné zlúčeniny
Defense mechanisms of microbial and animal cells in reducing their sensitivity to plant defensive compounds
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Ing. Sulová Zdena DrSc.
Annotation:	Living organisms have developed during evolution different strategies for securing better position in the competition for vital sources. Biosynthesis of various biologically active substances enabled specific organisms to be more successful than others. Plant metabolites have important position among these substances. Many products of plantsecondary metabolism are known as effective pharmacological tools. A widespread use of these plant products can be predicted in various applications in veterinary and human medicine, food safety, etc. These applications willdepend on the development of knowledge in biosciences, to which the presented project aims to contribute. The ability to modify the structure of known substances of plant origin in the laboratory gives almost unlimited possibilities for the rational design of new biologically active structures. Therefore, we choose "OMNIPOTENCE" asthe acronym of our project. The project is aimed primarily on several plant products and their semisynthetic analogues as possible tools for modulation of proliferation and phenotypes of neoplastic and microbial cells. Living cells have developed several defensive strategies against toxic attacks mediated by different substances. The ability to develop such strategies may be considered as a basal characteristic that enables the cell to survive in the hostile environment. In addition to response specific for various organisms, general strategies have developedduring evolution that are functional in various types of living cells including mammalian neoplastically transformed cells, eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbial cells. The proposed project will focus on detailed analysis of the mechanisms how neoplastic mammalian and microbial cells respond to selected plant defensive substances andtheir semisynthetic derivatives.
Duration:	1.7.2020 – 30.6.2024

Pilotná štúdia selektívneho pôsobenia novej generácie RNA interferenčných agens na bunkovej úrovni
A pilot study of the selective effects of a new generation of RNA interfering agents at the cellular level
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Ing. Poturnayová Alexandra PhD.
Duration:	1.7.2020 – 31.12.2022

Plasticita mozgu v spojení s naučenou vokálnou komunikáciou u spevavcov
Brain plasticity associated with learned vocal communication in songbirds
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Niederová-Kubíková Ľubica PhD.
Annotation:	Neuroplasticity or brain plasticity is the ability of the brain to change as a result of experience or injury. Except of other factors, neuroplasticity is enabled by neurogenesis. Impaired neurogenesis is associated with cognitive decline, behavioral changes, depression, and various neurodegenerative diseases. One of the aspects that caninfluence neurogenesis, and thus learning, memory or the number of new neurons in an injured area, is the circadian clock. However, its presence in various species is not clearly established. Therefore, our first aim is to determine if there are circadian oscillations in the number of newborn cells in the brain of songbirds. Songbirds share with humans some traits of neurogenesis as well as the rare ability of vocal learning. Injury in one of the areas controlling song led to changes in cerebellum that has been not studied for vocal learning up to now. Thus,in the second part of the project we propose to study the function of cerebellum for the learned vocal communication.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

KBD – Poškodenia hrebeňa hrudnej kosti – príčiny a dôsledky pre welfare, zdravie a produkciu nosníc
Keel bone damage – causes and consequences for laying hens welfare, health and production
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	RNDr. Bilčík Boris PhD.
Annotation:	Keel bone damage is currently one of the major problems influencing welfare of laying hens. Extremely high frequency and severity of damage adversely affects also egg quality and production. The aim of the present project is to investigate the prevalence of the keel bone damage in various types of housing technologies in Slovakia, to apply innovative methods of fracture and deformation detection and to test the possibilities of intervention in breeding, technology and management.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2022

Príjem a metabolizmus externých sterolov počas hypoxického stresu u kvasiniek
Sterol quality control in utilisation of external sterols under hypoxic stress in yeast
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Valachovič Martin PhD.
Annotation:	Hypoxic stress significantly affects sterol homeostasis in yeast. The proposed project addresses utilization of exogenous sterols, namely animal cholesterol and plant sterols, as an adaptation to low oxygen conditions. We will focus on the mechanism(s) that cells possess to monitor compatibility of imported sterols and yeast membranes. We named this a ‘sterol quality control‘ concept. Studied will be individual components of sterol import: cell wall proteins, plasma membrane sterol transporters and sterol esterifying enzymes. In a view of the proposed concept, the physical and physiologically relevant membrane properties in which native ergosterol has been replaced by environmental sterols will be analyzed. Since the host sterol uptake contributes to resistance of pathogenic fungi to antimycotics, the project has the potential with respect to the innovation of existing antimycotics as well as development of the new ones.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

Problémové správanie hydiny – vplyv prítomnosti matky a definovanie individuálnych fenotypov náchylných na jeho vývin
Behavioural disturbances in poultry – influence of mother presence and definition of individual phenotypes susceptible to its development
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Pichová Katarína PhD.
Annotation:	The poultry industry and especially egg industry in Europe undergoes significant changes. The primary objectiveof these changes is to improve animal welfare, quality of life of animals. Despite of the efforts producers have toface large economical and welfare problems such as feather pecking, cannibalism and aggressive behaviour.There is increasing pressure to solve these problems in a way friendly towards the animals that will not causeadditional stress or pain. The aim of the project is to extend information on damaging behaviour in poultry and tocontribute to the understanding of the factors influencing a development of this behaviour, such as the influenceof rearing with mother or the impact of individual differences, personality, susceptibility to the development ofdisturbances, and in cooperation the European network of scientists to propose solutions feasible for agriculturalpractice.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2022

Dbl2 – Proteín Dbl2 ako nový regulátor stability a dynamiky genómu v kvasinkách Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Dbl2 protein as a novel regulator of genome stability and dynamics in fission yeast
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Mgr. Bágeľová Poláková Silvia PhD.
Annotation:	Sexual reproduction is primarily dependent on meiosis, a specialized cell division that generates haploid cells from diploid progenitors. To identify novel regulators of meiosis, we screened a library of fission yeast deletion mutants and found that deletion of the dbl2 gene led to missegregation of chromosomes during meiosis. Analysis of live dbl2Δ cells by fluorescence microscopy showed that chromosomes frequently failed to segregate during meiotic or mitotic division. Further cytological and biochemical analyses revealed that this segregation defect is due to persistent intermediates of DNA double-strand break repair, also called DNA joint molecules. Our results indicate that Dbl2 is required for formation of Fbh1 DNA helicase foci at the sites of DNA double-strand break repair in order to process DNA joint molecules and allow segregation of chromosomes during meiotic or mitotic divisions. Our new data suggests that in addition to performing a function in meiotic recombination and DNA repair, Dbl2 is also a component of a genome mechanism that is used to decrease the levels of both protein- coding and non-coding RNAs. This study intends to determine the molecular mechanism by which Dbl2 regulates genome stability and gene expression. We will use classical genetic and biochemical methods, advanced microscopy, RNA and CHIP-sequencing as well as reconstitution of hypothetical cell biological events in vitro to uncover its function. Importantly, the findings of this research will have broad implications to the field of sexual reproduction and cancer research.
Duration:	1.7.2019 – 30.6.2022

SWIREG – Regulácia komplexu Swi5-Sfr1 pomocou fosforylácie.
Regulation of the Swi5-Sfr1 complex by protein phosphorylation.
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Mgr. Bágeľová Poláková Silvia PhD.
Annotation:	Homologous recombination is important for repair of damaged DNA in vegetative cells but is also required for proper segregation of chromosomes during meiosis, a specialized cell division, which produces haploid gametes such as eggs and sperm cells in mammals and spores in yeast. Swi5-Sfr1 heterodimer complex stimulates the Rad51-mediated exchange of DNA strands, a key step in homologous recombination. We have identified swi5 and sfr1 deletion mutants in a screening for mutants defective in chromosome segregation during meiosis in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Our initial characterization revealed new phosphorylation sites on both Swi5 and Sfr1. In this project, we want to decipher how phoshorylation regulates the role of Swi5 and Sfr1 in both vegetative and meiotic S. pombe cells. This will help us to understand the process of homologous recombination and reduction of chromosome number during meiosis. Both Swi5 and Sfr1 proteins are evolutionarily conserved, raising the possibility that our results will be relevant to studies in various organisms including mammalian cells.
Duration:	1.7.2018 – 30.6.2022

Regulácia ryanodínových receptorov (RYR) z mozgu potkana vo fyziologických a patofyziologických podmienkach
Regulation of ryanodine receptors (RYR) from the rat brain under physiological and pathophysiological conditions
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Gaburjáková Marta PhD.
Annotation:	The ryanodine receptor (RYR) plays a key role in neuronal Ca2+ signaling that is substantially involved in neurotransmission. In the brain, all three RYR isoforms are expressed that likely complicates study of their function and regulation at the single channel level. Our aim is to reliably recognize individual RYR isoforms using specific functional parameters and assess whether there exist tissue-specific properties of them. Further, we will monitor RYR channels from the rat brain under pathophysiological conditions that will be achieved by stripping FKBP12 (the RYR associated protein) from the channel complex employing the endogenous phosphorylation machinery. For the RYR2 isoform (the dominant one in the brain), we will test our hypothesis about the inhibition effect of dantrolene, which is likely manifested only under some conditions. Our ambition is to understand the molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effect of dantrolene on some neurodegenerative diseases that are linked to RYR dysregulation.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

Štúdium a využitie bakteriocínov v prevencii moru včielieho plodu
Study and use of the bacteriocins in prevention of American foulbrood
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	RNDr. Kopčáková Anna PhD.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2022

PuriTAAR – Štúdium mechanizmov účinku nových antidepresív: pyridoindolové deriváty a ligandy „trace amine-associated receptor one“ (TAAR1)
Investigation of the mechanism of action of novel putative antidepressant drugs: pyridoindole derivatives and trace amine-associated receptor-1 (TAAR1) ligands
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	MMedSc Dremencov Eliyahu PhD
Annotation:	The aim of the project will be to investigate the mechanism of action of the novel potential antidepressant drugs, such as pyridoindole derivatives and ligands of trace amine-associated receptor-1 (TAAR1). These drugs will be administered to the laboratory rats and their effects on their anxiety and depressive-like behavior and excitability of glutamate, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine-secreting neurons in vivo and in neuronal primary cultures will be examined. This project will be performed in a collaboration with the industrial biopharmaceutical sector.
Duration:	1.1.2018 – 31.12.2021

Štúdium proteínov tetraspanínovej rodiny v procese reprodukcie hovädzieho dobytka
Study of tetraspanin family proteins in cattle reproduction process
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Ing. Jankovičová Jana PhD.
Annotation:	Tetraspanins are membrane proteins of various types of somatic cells of many animal species involved in numerous functions. Based on the described expression and functional experiments on mouse gametes, it is clear that they are also involved in the fertilization process. Our analyses confirmed the presence of CD9 and CD81 tetraspanins on bull sperm as well as bovine and porcine oocytes and embryos. Since these proteins act within the complex, so-called tetraspanin web, the aim of this project is to study other molecular partners, whether from the family of tetraspanins or others in terms of their importance in the process of bovine reproduction. The results obtained would not only extend the knowledge in the field of physiology of mammalian reproduction, but could also contribute to the identification of new markers useful in practice, as the reproduction of livestock is an exclusively controlled process.
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 31.12.2023

LEBRE – Viaclieková rezistencia u leukemických buniek – fenotyp spôsobený interferenciou viacerých molekulárnych príčin
Multidrug resistance of leukemia cells – Phenotype caused by interference of multimodal molecular reasons
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Ing. Sulová Zdena DrSc.
Annotation:	The multidrug resistance (MDR) of neoplastic cells represents a serious problem in the treatment of cancer. Tumor transformed cells could develop a wide range of defense mechanisms that enable them to escape from apoptosis induced by chemotherapy. In our project, we will focus on research concerning the development and particularlyidentification of mechanisms involved in resistance of leukemic cells. The most common molecular feature responsible for development of MDR in neoplastic cells represent expressions and transport activity of transporters belonging from the ABC gene family, and particularly the best-known member of this family ABCB1 protein alsoknown as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Our findings in the previous period has shown that during development of multidrug resistance associated with P-gp overexpression several alterations of processes lead to cell death (such as: response to endoplasmic reticulum stress, deregulation of calcium dependent processes in the intracellularspace or induction and progression of programed cell death – apoptosis) could occurred. These alterations are associated with the remodeling of surface proteins and their ubiquitination and glycosylation. These changes, and probably many others, create a complex insight of the molecular changes responsible for the reduced response ofleukemia cells to the drugs induced apoptosis. In the current project we will focus to bring novel results important for understanding of the interplay of various molecular changes involved in development of multidrug resistance in leukemia cells. As a model we will use cell sublines obtained by adaption of parental leukemia cells to stressors of endoplasmic reticulum, proteasome inhibitors, hypomethylating agents and vincristine.
Duration:	1.7.2020 – 30.6.2024

Vplyv látok vyvolávajúcich stres endoplazmatického retikula na regulačné mechanizmy bunkového cyklu buniek s viacliekovou rezistenciou
Effect of endoplasmic reticulum-stress inducing substances on cell cycle regulatory mechanisms in cell lines with MDR phenotype
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Šereš Mário PhD.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2021

Vplyv polyfenolov na funkcie signálnych proteínov zahrnutých v N-glykozylácii proteínov v endoplazmatickom retikule leukemických buniek v závislosti od expresie P-glykoproteínu
The effect of polyphenols on the functions of signal proteins involved in proteins N-glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum of leukemia cells, depending on the expression of P-glycoprotein
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	RNDr. Boháčová Viera CSc.
Annotation:	The ability of cells to withstand the action of substances with different structure and mechanism of action is calledmultidrug resistance – MDR. The aim of many studies is to understand mechanisms of MDR formation and waysto suppress it. P-glycoprotein (P-gp, member of the ABC transporter family) is probably the most commonlyreported cause of MDR development in neoplastic cells. The transport function of P-gp may be affected bydifferent groups of substances, e.g. polyphenols (quercetin). An important source of various natural polyphenolsare green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). Tea extract has healing effects, it contains different types of catechins,which are considered as bioactive substances. This study focuses on the influence of bioactive substances on thechaperons expression, supporting proteins needed for maturation, stability and maintenance of active proteins incells. Furthermore, we will focus on the cell cycle and expression of transcriptional proteins p53 and p21.
Duration:	1.1.2018 – 31.12.2021

Vychytávanie železa a rezistencia na antibiotiká u Enterobacterales potravinových zvierat.
Iron intake and antibiotic resistance in food animal Enterobacterales.
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	RNDr. Bujňáková Dobroslava PhD
Annotation:	The main objective of the proposed project will be to obtain a new knowledge about the relationship betweenantibiotic resistance, virulence, ferric ions uptake and biofilm formation on model species of food animal bacteriai. e. Enterobacterales and Escherichia concerning to extraintestinal – ExPEC, avian pathogenic – APEC andverotoxigenic – VTEC Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter. Research will be focused on the most importantmechanisms of resistance: plasmid ampicillinases, cephalosporinases, carbapenemases, plasmid resistance tofluoroquinolones and resistance to colistin. Bacterial clonal relatedness and sequence type (ST) of selectedEscherichia coli isolates will be also determined. The achieved results will be applicable in bacteriologicaldiagnostic of resistance mechanisms by interpreting reading of minimal inhibitory concentration of antibiotic andin student education.
Duration:	1.1.2021 – 31.12.2024

Výskum zmien vo fenotype leukemických buniek po indukcii membránového transportéra ABCB1.
Study of alteration in leukemia cells phenotype after induction of ABCB1 membrane transporter
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	prof. Ing. Breier Albert DrSc.
Annotation:	The development of knowledge and methodology of biological sciences has provided opportunities for accurateanalysis of genome, proteome, glycome and lipidome. This allows characterization of genotypic and phenotypicchanges of patients and impact of these changes for choice of optimal therapeutic procedure and overallprognosis. Exact genotyping and phenotyping allows more successes in the design of treatment procedures alsoin patients with blood malignancies. However, multidrug resistance (MDR) may take part in chemotherapy ofleukemia and represents a negative prognostic factor. The most frequent molecular cause of MDR isoverexpression of membrane transporters from the ABC family (especially of P-glycoprotein, P-gp). P-gp inleukemic cells causes the development of MDR to its substrates. The expression of P-gp in leukemic cells islinked to extensive changes in protein profiles and their glycosylation that leads to altered leukemic cellsphenotype. This phenomenon will be studied in the present project.
Duration:	1.1.2019 – 31.12.2022

Využitie myrozinázy na aktiváciu sulforafanu pre vývoj preparátu s preventívnymi účinkami nádorových ochorení
The application of myrosinase for sulforaphane activation in development of a novel product exhibiting cancer prevention effects
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Ing. Sulová Zdena DrSc.
Duration:	1.7.2017 – 30.6.2021

Vzťah mikroarchitektúry mitochondriálnej siete a jej funkčného spriahnutia v kardiomyocytoch
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Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Macková Katarína PhD.
Duration:	1.1.2018 – 31.12.2021

Vzťah neurogenézy a spevu u spevavcov
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Program:	DoktoGranty
Project leader:	Mgr. Mertušová Justína
Annotation:	New neurons are formed and integrated into brain regions not just in embryonal brains but also in adult brains of mostvertebrates. Important yet still unknown is the function of neurogenesis. Songbirds represent a good model forunderstanding the neurogenesis function in adults as different neuronal cell types are continually incorporated into thebrain areas controlling song learning, its perception and production. In some songbird species, higher neurogenesis isrelated to higher song variability. It has been proposed that newly generated neurons may facilitate behavioralvariability. The aim of this study is to broaden the knowledge of this relationship among six other species belonging todifferent genus of the same songbird family Estrildidae. Monitoring the relationship between newly generated cellsand/or neurons incorporated into the vocal areas and song variability parameters will bring a better understanding ofthe neurogenesis function as well as possible inter- and intra-species differences.
Project web page:	https://www.doktogrant.sav.sk/
Duration:	1.1.2020 – 30.6.2021