Specializations in Ph.D. study programme Physiology and Immunology

Faculty of Science - Ph.D. study programmes accredited in English

Programme Physiology and Immunology
Specialization Physiology and Developmental Biology

The programme consists of two sub-specialisations: 

• Anatomy and Physiology of Plants
• Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology

Programme Director:
Ass. Prof. Jiří Šantrůček, PhD.
Contact: phone: ++420-387772353; e-mail: jsan@umbr.cas.cz

Co-operating institution:
Biological Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology

Characteristics:
The Ph.D. course offers advanced education in several main branches of plant physiology and anatomy. It is supported by the experience of supervisors, renewed scientists working at the Institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, employing new biochemical and biophysical methods and hi-tech equipment in plant physiology, anatomy and ecophysiology projects. Subjects of the doctoral thesis are focussed on various topics of photochemistry of photosynthesis of higher plants, algae and cyanobacteria, on the structural and functional aspects of biomembranes and on interactions of the leaf and the whole plant with the environment (environmental and stress plant biology). The graduates will be competent in a broad scale of plant science research, agricultural, forestry, horticultural and biotechnology programs and should have advanced skills in scientific communication.

The degree Doctor of Philosophy ensures that the students are equipped with the necessary skills and methodological knowledge to undertake original research in their chosen field of study. They have all the necessary pre-requisites for leading positions in a broad array of biologically oriented fields of research and management. Graduates are expected to launch their professional career at research and education institutions including universities, at institutes of applied research and in institutions of nature protection and conservation.

Areas of Ph.D. research:
Photosystem (PS) II studies. Light induced degradation of PS II proteins. Structure and function of small PS II proteins. Adaptation of algae to abiotic stress. Fractionation of stable isotopes in photosynthesis and in plant metabolism. Function and structure of plant cuticle. Spatial heterogeneity of leaf and plant photosynthesis. Plant carbon economy and optimization of stomatal function.

Programme Director:
Prof. Ladislav Janský, DSc.
Contact phone: ++420-387772233 or ++420-221953247; e-mail:jansky@bf.jcu.cz

Co-operating institutions:
Biological Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Entomology

Characteristics:
Study discipline of animal physiology and developmental biology provides schooling in various general and specialised physiological fields. Basic research at molecular, cellular or organismic levels from the environmental aspect is being performed on insect, vertebrate and human models. Thesis advisors are well known scientists working actively in the field with the help of modern methodology. Students learn to use up-to-date methods of physiology, biochemistry, endocrinology, cell biology and immunology using computerised data acquisition systems and are trained to present their data at scientific meetings.

The degree Doctor of Philosophy ensures that the students are equipped with the necessary skills and methodological knowledge to undertake original research in their chosen field of study. They have all the necessary pre-requisites for leading positions in a broad array of biologically oriented fields of research and management. Graduates are expected to launch their professional career at research and education institutions including universities, at institutes of applied research and in specialised biological, medical and veterinary laboratories.

Areas of Ph.D. research:
Regulations and mechanisms of metabolic adaptations to cold in insects and mammals. Physiological basis of cold hardiness. Adaptations of anaerobic metabolism of fish. Cold adaptation in man. Physiological and immunological mechanisms of fever. Regulatory mechanisms controlling insect diapause and mammalian hibernation. Mode of action of brain-gut peptides at cellular and molecular levels. Insect hormones - control of secretion. Insect hormone agonists and antagonists - practical aspects.  Effect of  plant protective compounds on nutrients utilisation of phytophageous insects.

Recently defended Ph.D. theses – Physiology and Developmental Biology