Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Miloslav Pekař, CSc.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Miloslav Pekař, CSc.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Martina Klučáková, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Filip Mravec, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Stanislav Obruča, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Adriána Kovalčík, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Ivana Márová, CSc.
Councillor external :
prof. Mgr. Marek Koutný, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Zbyněk Zdráhal, Dr.
Ing. Lukáš Nejdl, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Dalibor Štys, CSc.
prof. RNDr. Jaroslav Turánek, CSc.

1. Biocolloidal hydrogels for study of mobility of reactive particles

   Suitable biocolloids as active substances for the preparation of hydrogels will be chosen on the basis of literature review. Rheological and transport properties will be studied.

   Tutor: Klučáková Martina, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Bioinformatics and biophysical characterization of local structures from genomic sequences of nucleic acids

   Current bioinformatics approaches allow efficient nucleic acid analysis to study the presence of local structures in complete genomes. In particular, the presence of inverted repeats and G-quadruplex forming sequences has emerged as an important regulatory aspect in fundamental biological processes including transcription regulation. This topic will use bioinformatic approaches to identify the sequences required for the formation of these local structures and further characterize these sequences using biophysical methods to determine whether and under what conditions local structures are formed. The formatting, stability and localization of these structures will be studied using CD spectroscopy, fluorescence and microscopy methods. Collaboration with a foreign institute is anticipated.

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

3. Comprehensive Investigation of Alginate Gelation: Unraveling Electrostatic Crosslinking and Exploring Non-traditional Strategies

   This doctoral project proposes a systematic study aimed at advancing the understanding of alginate gelation, with a dual focus on elucidating the intricacies of electrostatic alginate crosslinking and exploring innovative gelation strategies. The first phase of the project involves a detailed examination of the classical electrostatic alginate crosslinking strategy, emphasizing the influence of alginate concentration and molar weight, and type and concentration of the cationic crosslinker on the resulting gel's morphological, mechanical and transport characteristics. Through a series of meticulously designed experiments and analyses, the project aims to uncover key correlations between these parameters and the properties of the formed gels, providing valuable insights into the optimization of electrostatic alginate gelation processes. In addition to the conventional electrostatic crosslinking approach, the project will explore non-traditional gelation strategies (e.g. ionotropic gelation, non-solvent gelation, organic acid crosslinking) to broaden the scope of alginate-based materials. This entails investigating alternative crosslinking agents, exploring novel environmental conditions, and examining hybrid approaches that combine multiple gelation mechanisms. By embracing a diverse array of methodologies, the project seeks to uncover innovative pathways for achieving unique alginate gel properties and functionalities. The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute significantly to the field of biomaterials and biomedical applications, offering a more nuanced understanding of alginate gelation and paving the way for the development of tailored alginate-based materials with enhanced mechanical and transport properties. Ultimately, the project aspires to advance the design and fabrication of alginate gels for diverse applications, ranging from drug delivery systems to tissue engineering.

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

4. Hydration of biocolloids

   Study of hydration of several biocolloids (e.g. chitosan, hyaluronic acid, humic substances) by means of several methods chosen on the basis of students' review, study of phenomenons related to interactions of biocolloids with water and aqueous solutions (dissolving, dissociation).

   Tutor: Klučáková Martina, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Hydrogels with fibrous structures

   Hydrogels represent a versatile platform for a variety of biomedical applications – for example, in the drug delivery, as extracellular matrix models, or in tissue engineering. They mimic real biological environment like tissues or extracellular matrix. Such biological environments are essentially formed by a network skeleton in which fibrous structures are embedded. PhD study will start with a sufficiently thorough literature search and then will focus on preparation of hydrogels with incorporated fibrous structures and on investigation of the influence of the fibers on the properties of resulting hydrogels. Both constituents of the final composite will be selected from two biopolymer groups – polysaccharides and proteins. The effect of the fibrous structures on the properties of hydrogels, which are important for their potential applications in the field of biomedicine and drug delivery, will be studied in detail. Particularly rheological and transport properties will be addressed, taking into account the 3D structure of real cell environments or real tissues. Results will be discussed from the viewpoint of preparing hydrogels with properties tailored to a specific medical application and should lead to formulation of concrete composition and preparation procedure of a material suitable for a given application.

   Tutor: Enev Vojtěch, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Preparation and characterization of carbon quantum dots derived from lignocellulosic sources

   Carbon dots are defined as a non-toxic, water-soluble, highly fluorescent nanomaterial, less than 10 nm in size. This work will aim to synthesize quantum dots from readily available and cheap lignocellulosic sources, e.g. lignin, coffee grounds, and grape pomace. Suitable solvents that exhibit high and selective solubility of lignin will be searched. The synthesized quantum dots will be further functionalized with, e.g. polar functional groups. The photostability, optical absorbance properties, chemical stability, toxicity, antibacterial activity and photocatalytic efficiency of carbon dots will be studied. After an initial in-depth investigation, the dissertation will mainly focus on modifying and functionalizing the prepared carbon dots for use in photocatalysts and/or sensors for diagnostics.

   Tutor: Kovalčík Adriána, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Preparation and study of vesicular complexes with polymers

   This work is focused on the preparation and study of vesicular systems that, by their structure, surface charge and other properties, will be suitable for interaction with charged or uncharged polymers and together will form a water-soluble biocompatible complex that will be stable under physiological conditions. The study envisages the use of stationary, time-resolved and microscopic fluorescence techniques together with other available techniques such as dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, chromatographic methods, etc. As part of the study, in-depth knowledge of fluorescence techniques and procedures for the preparation of colloidal complexes will be acquired.

   Tutor: Mravec Filip, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Research and development of hydrogels based on hybrid and semi-interpenetrated networks of polyethylene glycol.

   The topic of the doctoral study focuses on the research of hybrid and semi-interpenetrated polymer hydrogels based on polyethylene glycol as a new platform for the design and development of biomaterials with tunable internal architecture, modifiable mechanical and transport properties. The first phase of the project will focus on optimizing the preparation of hydrogels based on polyethylene glycol chemical networks. The properties of these networks will subsequently be modified using two strategies – the preparation of hybrid networks by interpenetrating the chemical network of PEG with a secondary physical network, and by the addition of semi-interpenetrating non-crosslinked polymer components. The goal of the doctoral project will be to find the relationship between preparation, structural and morphological parameters and useful properties relevant for biomedical applications (mechanical, transport). Ultimately, the doctoral project aims to provide a platform for the design of hydrogels that can push the current limits of conventionally used hydrogels and open new horizons in their biomedical use.

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