Specializations in Ph.D. study programme Molecular and Cell Biology

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

Programme Molecular and Cell Biology

Specialization Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics

Programme Director:
Ass. Prof. Marek Jindra, Ph.D.
Contact phone/fax: ++420-387775232; e-mail: jindra@entu.cas.cz

Co-operating institutions:
Biological Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Institute of Entomology; Institute of Soil Biology; Institute of Parasitology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology) and Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

Characteristics:
Independent thinking, good English, and motivation to strive to discover new things, even at the expense of one’s own comfort, are the main prerequisites to succeed in this programme. Students are guided toward independent scientific research in the fields of molecular, cell and developmental biology. They need to master molecular and genetic methods of work with diverse model organisms ranging from protists and yeast to plants and animals. Student projects are secured by supervisors active in international research. Topics of Ph.D. theses are derived from the aims of grant projects and rely on high-tech equipment as well as on international collaboration; most students experience a short assignment in a foreign partner’s laboratory. Their projects typically aim to clarify some of the fundamental issues of current biology, such as those concerned with the regulation of cell functioning or differentiation. Students are also trained in molecular cytogenetics, gene engineering and animal and plant genetics; a special attention is devoted to the techniques of genetic modifications.

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, as well as at institutes of applied research (health care, agriculture).

Areas of Ph.D. research:
Structure of proteins and nucleic acids. Function of mitochondrial proteins, mechanisms of transcription and RNA editing in parasitic protists (Trypanosoma, Leishmania). Evolution of the telomere structure. Sex chromosomes. Transcription factors and regulation of gene expression. Cell cycle and proliferation (growth factors, oncogenes and tumour suppressors). Development and differentiation (Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans models). Molecular basis of photosynthesis. Genes encoding silk. Molecular mechanism of circadian rhythms. Transgenic approaches in plants and animals. Functional genomics of plant viruses. Repetitive sequences in eukaryotic genomes. Development of DNA chips. 

Recently defended Ph.D. theses - Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics