Organization changes of CIISB at the Institute of Biotechnology
The CIISB facilities at IBT have been undergoing the following organizational changes.
Czech National Centre of the European Research Infrastructure Consortium INSTRUCT ERIC
The structural biology of today is the pharmacology, therapy, and biotechnology of tomorrow
A gateway to realm of structural data for biochemists, biophysicists, molecular biologist, and all scientists whose research benefits from accurate structure determination of biological macromolecules, assemblies, and complex molecular machineries at atomic resolution.
Open access to 10 high-end core facilities and assisted expertise in NMR, X-ray crystallography and crystallization, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography, biophysical characterization of biomolecular interaction, nanobiotechnology, proteomics and structural mass spectrometry.
A distributed infrastructure constituted by Core Facilities of CEITEC (Central European Institute of Technology), located in Brno, and BIOCEV (Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre), located in Vestec near Prague, Central Bohemia.
Open access for everyone
CEITEC Core Facilities
BIOCEV Core Facilities
News
CIISB Research Results
M. Lyčka, et al.: Proteomic Analysis Reveals Accompanying Anion‐Dependent Changes of Cadmium Toxicity During Arabidopsis thaliana Development, Plant, Cell & Environment, 2026, 10.1111/pce.70365
K. Byś, et al.: Structural transformation and charge regulation of natural rubber-derived polymeric anticoagulants, European Polymer Journal, 242 (2026) 114440, 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114440
Z. Knejzlík, et al.: Substrate cooperativity shapes competitive inhibitor responses in mycobacterial inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase, Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 41 (2026) 1, 10.1080/14756366.2025.2598479
V. M. Serianni, et al.: Molecular insight into 5′ RNA capping with NpnNs by bacterial RNA polymerase, Nature Chemical Biology, 2026, 10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5
R. Arshad, et al.: Cryo-EM structure of photosystem II supercomplex from a green microalga with extreme phototolerance, Nature Communications, 17 (2026) 1, 10.1038/s41467-025-65861-2
P. Sudzinová, et al.: Bacteria sense the antibiotic rifampicin through a widespread dual-promoter based alarm system, Nucleic Acids Research, 54 (2026) 2, 10.1093/nar/gkaf1407
I. Sedláček, et al.: Psychrotolerant enterobacters inhabiting the gut of Antarctic fishes of the family Nototheniidae and description of Enterobacter hoffmannii subsp. nototheniae subsp. nov., Czech Polar Reports, 15 (2026) 2, 10.5817/cpr2025-2-14
J. Jakubechova, et al.: Combined action of suicide gene exosomes from pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts and from mesenchymal stem cells as a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment approach, Cancer Cell International, 26 (2025) 1, 10.1186/s12935-025-04130-0
A. Sadžak, et al.: Oxidative degradation of polyunsaturated lipid membranes: Structural changes, mechanistic insights and flavonoid protection, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 709 (2026) 139894, 10.1016/j.jcis.2026.139894
CIISB Research Highlights
the best of science obtained using CIISB Core Facilities
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Chemistry Europe 2026
Significance
This study focuses on the structure‑guided engineering of a fungal quercetin 2,3‑dioxygenase to redirect its activity toward artificial flavonols. By combining structural analysis with targeted mutagenesis, the work demonstrates how substrate specificity and catalytic performance can be systematically modified. The results provide insight into structure–function relationships in metalloenzymes and highlight their potential use in tailored biocatalytic applications.
Kotik et al.: Redirecting a fungal quercetin 2,3‑dioxygenase toward artificial flavonols
ChemCatChem, DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202501823
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Nature Communications 2025
Zdenek Lansky, Head of group Structural proteins and their complexes
RGC-specific OPTN C-terminus truncation leads to progressive RGC and ON degeneration.
Significance
This study investigates the role of optineurin in axonal mitochondrial transport and highlights its importance for neuronal maintenance and recovery. By analysing mechanisms that support mitochondrial delivery to axons, the work provides new insight into cellular processes underlying neuroprotection and axon regeneration. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of how intracellular transport pathways influence neuronal survival and may be relevant for research into neurodegenerative and injury‑related conditions.
Liu et al.: Optineurin‑facilitated axonal mitochondria delivery promotes neuroprotection and axon regeneration
Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57135-8
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Springer Nature 2026
Department of Parasitology, Charles University
Significance
The leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases transmitted by female sand flies (Phlebotomus spp.). To assess Leishmania transmission risk, host exposure can be monitored via antibodies against vector salivary proteins. This study developed ELISA assays using recombinant salivary antigens from P. tobbi and P. papatasi to detect specific antibodies in dog sera from endemic areas in Türkiye.
Kolářová et al.: Development of new screening tools to evaluate dog exposure to Phlebotomus tobbi and Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies
Parasites & Vectors, DOI: 10.1186/s13071-026-07286-4
Quote of March
“If you want to understand function, study structure.”
— Francis Crick
