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Drugs and Biomaterials
Doctoral Programme,
Faculty of Chemical Technology
The Drugs and Biomaterials study programme focuses mainly on the fields of medicinal chemistry, drug analysis and the study of the structures of solid pharmaceuticals, research about and study of the properties of inorganic and polymeric materials for biomedical applications, pharmaceutical process engineering, and applied informatics for the pharmaceutical industry. CareersGraduates of this programme will be qualified for employment at universities, Czech Academy of Sciences institutes, and research and technology centres in the Czech Republic and abroad, mainly in the areas of basic and applied research of drugs and pharmaceutical forms, pharmaceutical technologies and biomaterials. Further employment opportunities for graduates are additionally to be found at R&D institutes, in analytical and control laboratories for industrial companies in these fields, and in public (governmental) administrative units, including professional R&D management positions. Programme Details
Vypsané disertační práce pro rok 2025/26Actively targeted polymer cancerostatics
AnnotationWe will synthesize and characterize high-molecular-weight polymer carriers of therapeutics and diagnostics with enhanced accumulation in tumor tissue due to the so called enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect or due to the active targeting using recombinant protein ligands. We will prepare copolymers based on N-(2- hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide including those containing in their structure bonds cleavable in human organism by various mechanisms. We will study various methods of covalent and non-covalent attachment of the targeting ligands to the polymer carriers; we will evaluate the structure-activity relationship of the synthesized polymer therapeutics and diagnostics. We will also investigate the effect of various cancerostatics on the antitumor activity of both targeted and non-targeted polymer conjugates.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Architecture of polymer-coated lanthanide nanomarkers for multimodal bioimaging
AnnotationVarious modern imaging techniques are recently widely used to monitor structural, functional and molecular changesin biological tissues. Each of these methods has its own advantages and limitations, such as low spatial or depthresolution and sensitivity, which make it difficult to obtain accurate information from the desired location. Multimodalimaging can compensate for these weaknesses and play an important role in optimizing medical research and clinicalpractice. This project will focus on the development and controlled synthesis of functional lanthanide nanoparticlescoated with biocompatible polymers in order to design novel multimodal cellular markers. Combining different lanthanides in a nanocrystal structure of particles will result in a trimodal probe for optical (down- and upconverting), ultra-high field MRI and enhanced X-ray CT imaging. Reactive functional polymers will be used to control the chemical and colloidal stability of particles and immobilize bioactive low-molecular weight compounds. In collaboration with biological institutes, the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of lanthanide nanomarkers as multimodal contrast agents will be evaluated in terms of their ability to stain cells, generate contrast, and eventually determine biodistribution of particles.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Biodegradable polymer systems based on thermoplasticized starch
AnnotationBiodegradable polymer systems show numerous applications in both human and veterinary medicine. We have recently developed and patented multiphase polymer systems based on thermoplasticized starch (TPS), polycaprolactone (PCL), and antibiotics (ATB). Morphology and properties of these systems can be adjusted by their composition and processing conditions. The basic TPS/PCL systems can be employed in technical applications, while the TPS/PCL/ATB systems can be used for the treatment of strong local infections such as osteomyelitis. The project comprises preparation of the above systems (by melt mixing), optimization of their phase structure (targeted modification of processing conditions), characterization of their morphology (electron microscopy), properties (macro- and micromechanical properties), and participation in biodegradability testing (for technical applications) and microbial susceptibility testing (medical applications, collaboration with Motol Hospital in Prague).
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Targeted radiotherapy for the treatment of hypoxic tumors
AnnotationTreatment of hypoxic tumors is complicated due to higher radio/chemo resistance resulting in the subsequently lower clinical outcome of the treatment. We propose to explore a new concept of self-assembled polymer radiosensitizers to overcome the problem low hypoxic tumor radiosensitivity. The proposed approach is based on restoration of radiosensitivity of hypoxic cancer tissue by actively hypoxia-targeted delivery of reactive oxygen species (ROS)- precursors as well as on selective decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in hypoxic tissue influencing the HIF-1 alpha system. The proposed concept utilizes hydrophilic biocompatible polymer-based carriers with hypoxia-targeting nitroaromatics systems. The doctoral thesis will be based on synthesis, chemical and/or physicochemical characterization and study of self-assembly properties of such multi-stimuli-responsive nanoparticles with external environment; the exact topic will take into account the student´s interests. The studied nanoparticles and injectable depot systems will be designed for diagnostics and personalized immunoradiotherapy and immunochemotherapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Optimized nanoparticles will be then provided to collaborating biological workplaces for in vivo testing.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Particle informatics
AnnotationDrug substances are typically produced in the form of crystals. However, the properties of these crystals can vary dramatically when considering various polymorphs or multicomponent drug solid forms (i.e., salts or cocrystals). The goal of this project is to characterize the surface properties of the drug crystals utilizing the crystal structure. As a part of the project, the student will be involved in the preparation of drug solid forms of interest and their characterization using single-crystal XRD, followed by the solution of the crystal structure. The obtained information will be used to predict properties of the crystal surface in terms of molecules present on the surface, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the surface, intermolecular interactions between molecules located on the crystal surface and to correlate these data with the properties of produced crystals (e.g., stability under elevated temperature or humidity, solubility or dissolution). Furthermore, we would extend the information about the crystal structure to the prediction of crystal-crystal interaction and their relation to the crystal flowability or prediction of bulk properties of crystals (e.g., hardness) and its relation to powder tabletability
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Chemical Engineering, FCE, VŠCHT Praha
Design and synthesis of novel methyltransferase Inhibitors
AnnotationThe Ph.D. student will design and synthesise novel methyltransferase (MTase) inhibitors targeting viral, fungal or human MTases. The student will use in silico approach to speed up the development of potential drugs, but the main part of the assignment will be the organic synthesis. Preparation of suitable ligands bearing a fluorescent tag will enable the efficient development of a screening assay.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS
Glycomimetic ligands for DC-SIGN receptor
AnnotationDC-SIGN is a carbohydrate-binding protein expressed on the surface of immune cells. Its targeting could be exploited in two ways: (1) to develop more efficient vaccines, and (2) to develop new treatments against certain pathogens. Despite the potential of natural carbohydrate ligands, their use in achieving specific delivery to DC‑SIGN expressing cells has largely been unsuccessful. In collaboration with the Molecular Drug Targeting Group from the University of Vienna, we have been working on the design and development of new glycomimetic ligands which bind DC‑SIGN with high selectivity and reasonable affinity. In the past years, we have identified several new scaffolds. The proposed PhD project will aim at performing structure–activity relationship study on these new DC-SIGN ligands. The major part of the thesis will be based on synthetic organic chemistry. The PhD candidate will learn the basics of carbohydrate chemistry and glycosylation reactions, as well as other organic reactions (use of orthogonal protecting groups, metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions…). Evaluation of binding affinity will be performed in Vienna and the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to learn the basics (either NMR-based techniques for protein–ligand interactions or cell-based techniques) during an internship.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Chemistry, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Surface energy heterogeneity of particulate matter
AnnotationFree surface energy is one of the important parameters in industrial applications and processes of powder and fibrous materials. Differences in surface energy affect interfacial interactions such as wetting, cohesion, or adhesion. As the wide range of uses of powders is controlled by surface reactions or interactions, the characterization of surface energies can be important information for improving surface properties (eg surface modification). General theories can only be applied to smooth, molecularly flat solid surfaces or particles. However, most interfaces for particulate matter do not have an ideally smooth surface or an ideally homogenized surface, so the work will focus on determining the heterogeneity of surface properties; heterogeneity of surface energy, and its relation to other properties of these substances.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Technology, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Inhibitors of methyltransferases – design and synthesis of potential new drugs
AnnotationThe PhD student will focus on the design and organic synthesis of new methyltransferase inhibitors, whether derived from viral, fungal, or human sources. In the course of developing these compounds, the candidate will employ in silico molecular modeling to streamline and accelerate the search and optimization of inhibitors. Nonetheless, the main emphasis of the project will remain on the organic synthesis of potential therapeutic agents. Additionally, the project will include the preparation of ligand analogs equipped with suitable tags, whether fluorescent or functional (e.g., biotin for pull-down assays, thalidomide for PROTAC technology).
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS
Kinetic, thermodynamic and structural aspects of forming solid dispersions of high-melting drugs
AnnotationHigh melting point drugs present a challenge in the formulation of amorphous solid dispersions, e.g. solid solutions with polymers, because the chemical stability of both the drug and the polymer makes it impossible to safely reach the eutectic melt formation temperature. Thus, solid dispersions are essentially formed by dissolving solid drug in the polymer melt, which creates both residence time and mixing requirements in the molten state, as well as requirements for compatibility of drugs and coformers to prevent undesired crystallization of the drug in the finished product. Therefore, this work will focus on the evaluation of compatibility of drugs and coformers by computational and experimental methods, stability of dispersions as a function of their composition and kinetics of drug dissolution in polymer melt. This main axis will be complemented by the study of the application properties of the formulations prepared with the possible support of an industrial partner. The work assumes a significant contribution to supervision from FHNW Basel.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Technology, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Microparticulate contrast agents transforming excitation signal for biomedical application
AnnotationThe project is focused on synthesis and characterisation of polymer particles for biomedical application, which can generate a contrast signal via a transformation of excitation pulse. Particles will be synthesised by heterogeneous polymerisation techniques, especially by dispersion and emulsion polymerisation, and by coacervation. Effects of a morphology and matrix composition of hybrid particles on contrast signal parameters will be studied. Effects of a type, amount and a distribution of transforming dye in polymer particles on contrast properties will be studied as well. The main aim of the project is to find conditions of synergy between properties of polymer matrix and converting dye. Testing on animal models will be done in cooperation with 1. Faculty of medicine, Charles University in Prague. "
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Modular synthesis of dendritic carriers of drugs for applications in regenerative medicine
AnnotationThe project is focused on the application of modular synthesis principles to a preparation of novel dendritic materials with properties tailored for medicinal applications, especially in the field of regenerative medicine. The first stage comprises the synthesis of a library of carbosilane building blocks (dendrons) using silicon atom as a branching point and bearing suitable peripheral functional groups (saccharide ligands, cationic groups, PEGyl chains etc.). These components will then be used for the construction of multifunctional macromolecular compounds with precisely defined dendritic structure. The application of prepared materials to the encapsulation of small molecule drugs, complexation of therapeutically active proteins and growth factors, and physically-chemical characterization of these systems will be an inherent part of the work, with emphasis on suitable pharmacokinetic and cytotoxic behavior. The work is a part of the research project supported from OP JAK fund; within this project the student will closely collaborate with external partners on the application of the prepared materials. Required education and skills • Master degree in organic chemistry, organic technology; • enthusiasm for experimental work and learning of new things; • team work ability.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the CAS
Model based design and optimization of wet granulation processes
AnnotationWet granulation is a key step in pharmaceutical manufacturing, responsible for transforming fine powders into granules with improved flow properties, uniformity, and compressibility. The most employed wet granulation unit operations, which are essential for pharmaceutical manufacturing, are high shear granulation and fluid bed granulation. In order to produce high-quality solid dosage forms, the challenge to develop robust frameworks for better control over critical quality attributes (CQAs) of granules is increasing. The aim of this research aims to address the limitations of empirical methods by leveraging mechanistic modeling and computational tools to model, simulate, and optimize high shear granulation and fluid bed granulation processes. In this research, mechanistic modeling will serve as the foundation for understanding granulation dynamics, including particle growth and breakage, binder addition and distribution, and drying kinetics. In order to facilitate a systematic approach to process optimization by enabling accurate representation of the underlying physico-chemical processes. The research will involve constructing models to simulate various operating conditions and understand their impact on granule properties, such as size, porosity, and moisture content. Experimental validation will play a pivotal role in refining this approach, using data sets from industrial granulation processes from laboratory to production scale. The validated models will then be applied to optimize granulation processes. By integrating this workflow, this research aims to address the challenges of scale-up, reducing variability and improving efficiency in process control of granulation. Therefore, the research will also have a core objective to advance the mechanistic understanding of granulation while also contributing to the adoption of model-based process development in the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring more efficient and reliable manufacturing aligned with Quality by Design (QbD) principles.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Technology, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Optimization of HME process and formulation of amorphous solid solutions
AnnotationAmorphous solid solutions (ASSs) are used to improve the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. Despite their metastable nature, which commonly leads to a higher dissolution rate, the selection of suitable polymers and the optimization of the ASSs production process is a rather complicated task. To reduce the time and material requirements, in the proposed project, we plan to start with the screening of suitable polymers leading to solubility enhancement of the selected drug. In the next step, we will perform rheological characterization of the mixtures of promising polymers and selected drugs. This will consist of polymer-drug powder rheology and polymer-drug melt rheology measurement, resulting in the identification of critical process parameters of hot-melt extrusion (HME), i.e., powder flowability in the feeder, maximum feeding rate of the powder mixture into the extruder, minimum melting temperature of the polymer-drug mixture, maximum drug loading in the polymer-drug melt, viscosity of the polymer-drug melt and possible conditions for drug or polymer degradation. Since rheological measurement is fully automated and requires only a fraction of the material than HME itself, the proposed method will allow a significant reduction of time and material requirements for the optimization of HME. Obtained data will be used to construct dimensionless characteristics of the HME process suitable for easy setup of the process parameters and process scale-up. While HME is commonly used for the production of ASSs in the form of filaments, which are consequently milled into particles to be used in the final drug product, in the proposed project, we plan to extend the formulation of ASSs in the form of films or spherules. Taking advantage of HME as a continuous process, in the following step, we would extend this capability towards film formation or production of spherical particles. On-line Raman spectroscopy will be used to control the quality of the final product. This will be combined with off-line characterization (i.e., XRD, DSC, NMR, IDR measurement) to ensure the production of stable ASSs with enhanced drug dissolution rate.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Chemical Engineering, FCE, VŠCHT Praha
Growing Single Crystals and Structure Analysis of Multiple Component Crystals
AnnotationAPI's multiple-component crystals are a valuable option in modfying pharmacokinetic profile, stability of API etc. The application properties of any particular active compound are often rendered by means of the component is built in the structure. This work aims to prepare single crystals of salts, solvates, co-crystals and polymorphs of selected compounds, study potentional temperature dependent phase transitions, their complex characterization using a bundle of analytical methods accenting X-ray structure analysis and consequent correlation of parameters and solvent occupied voids.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Solid State Chemistry, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Advanced polymer drug carriers for cancer treatment
AnnotationPolymer drug carriers are non-toxic, non-immunogenic, and biocompatible polymer materials that target and control the release of biologically active compounds in the treated tissue, thus minimizing the side effects of carried drugs. The doctoral project theme will consist of synthesizing and studying the properties of tailor-made hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymers that are efficient as anti-cancer drug carriers. The theme is suitable for graduates of chemistry and, eventually, pharmacy. The student will learn new skills in the synthesis and characterization methods and can participate in biological characterization in internal or international cooperating laboratories. We offer exciting and varied work in a well-established team of Biomedical polymers, affording hi-tech equipment and material background.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Advanced drug design using artificial intelligence and nuclear magnetic resonance
AnnotationThis industrial PhD merges Cheminformatics, AI, and NMR to transform drug discovery. The candidate will refine AI|ffinity’s NMR-AI platform for virtual screening, hit discovery, and hit-to-lead optimization. Their focus includes: (1) enhancing 2D molecular representations using 1D NMR spectra to boost ligand-based virtual screening, (2) refining AI-driven structure-based hit-to-lead workflows harnessing 1D NMR restraints, and (3) innovating de novo design by integrating ligand epitope data from 1D NMR experiments. The candidate will also embed deep learning-powered screening and de novo generation into a reinforcement learning system, extracting ligand epitope information from 1D NMR data to identify novel bioactive molecules and to search commercial libraries. Promising compounds will be experimentally validated, driving iterative refinement and synthesis. The best leads advance toward in vitro assessment, and all newly developed computational methods will be integrated into AI|ffinity’s Drug Discovery platform.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Chemistry, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Polymer colloids as specialized carriers for intranasal transport of biologically active substances
AnnotationThe project is focused on the development, synthesis and characterization of novel polymer particles in colloidal form for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes via intranasal administration. The particles will be prepared by heterogeneous polymerisation techniques (dispersion or precipitation) and the main polymerisation reaction will be based on an aromatic substitution mechanism. Bioanalogic substances derived from aromatic structures of plant and animal origin will be used as monomers. The influence of reaction conditions on the morphology and composition of polymer particles and other physicochemical parameters determining the behaviour of polymer particles in biological environments will be studied. Subsequently, the particles will be derivatized for their detection using preclinical imaging methods so that their biodistribution and pharmacokinetics can be monitored after intranasal administration. Biological testing of the particles will be performed at the collaborating departments of the UEM CAS and the 1st Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University. The aim of this collaboration is to describe how the composition and morphology of the particles from the new polymer types affects the mechanism of each type of intranasal delivery further into the body. The researcher will be based in the laboratories of the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry at the BIOCEV Biotechnology Centre.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Polymer carriers for veterinary vaccines
AnnotationPreparing effective and safe vaccines is still a significant challenge for human and veterinary medicine. Using biocompatible, non-toxic, and non-immunogenic polymeric materials as antigen carriers or adjuvants can lead to the development of highly potent polymer vaccines while minimizing side effects. The topic of the doctoral thesis will be the preparation and study of the properties of new tailor-made hydrophilic and amphiphilic polymers that can be used as antigen carriers or adjuvants. The theme is suitable for graduates of chemistry and, eventually, pharmacy. The student will learn new skills in the synthesis and characterization methods and can participate in biological characterization in internal or international cooperating laboratories. We offer exciting and varied work in a wellestablished team of Biomedical polymers, affording hi-tech equipment and material background.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Preparation of organic single crystals based on pharmaceutical materials and characterization of their properties
AnnotationTopic of this work will be focused on preparation and crystal growth of volatile and subliming organic compounds with accent on active pharmaceutical ingredients (polymorhps, solvates, salts or cocrystals) from gaseous phase and solution in order to prepare large-volume crystals thereof. The work will be focused on sublimation apparatus design and optimization of the crystal growth procedure of organic compounds from gaseous state using horizontal two section resistive furnace with separate temperature regulation. This method is based on transferring (subliming) the starting material into gaseous state in the storage part of the growth system and its subsequent crystallization (desublimation) in the dedicated coolest place of the system. Setting of suitable temperature regime in both furnace sections defines and controls the growth rate of growing crystal. An integral part of the work comprises: (i) a new crystallization container divided into storage and crystallization stages will be designed, (ii) growth conditions (temperature gradient in the furnace, temperature regimes) will be optimized, and (iii) the physical, structural and optical properties of the prepared crystals will be characterized. Second part of this work will be focused on preparation of crystals of model organic compounds grown from solution. The solvents influence on the crystallization process and final crystal quality will be evaluated. Results of characterizations performed on crystals obtained from diverse procedures as well as of used procedures will be compared.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Solid State Chemistry, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Radioactive and fluorescent labeling of polymers and nanoparticles for medicine and preclinical testing.
AnnotationThis doctoral thesis focuses on the development and optimization of labeling techniques for polymers and nanoparticles in the field of medicine. The labeling allows for tracking and provides valuable information for therapy and next biological testing. The main objective of this work is to develop methods for radioactive and fluorescent labeling of polymers and nanoparticles.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Controlling of drug crystal properties during crystallization
AnnotationActive Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are commonly small molecules that are used in the form of particles prepared by the crystallization process. Properties of prepared crystals (i.e., physico-chemical but also formulation properties) are strongly dependent on the used drug solid form, their size, and crystal morphology. The process of spherical crystallization results in the formation of crystals assembled into spherical particles. The goal of this project is to investigate the possibility of using this procedure for the preparation of crystalline drug particles of various polymorphs and multicomponent solid forms (i.e., cocrystals) or even conglomerates containing multiple drugs in a single spherical particle. In addition, the process will be optimized to be operated in a continuous mode. Furthermore, the students will also be involved in the automation of the whole process consisting of the mixing of crystalizing streams containing a drug (drugs) and excipients but as the operation of the stirring unit where spherical crystallization is taking place using process analytical technology (characterization of particle size, shape, and composition). Obtained particles will be characterized by several analytical methods (i.e., SEM, XRD, DSC, NMR, measurement of the dissolution rate of a single particle) and their properties will be compared to those measured for crystalline particles of drugs prepared by classical cooling crystallization.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Chemical Engineering, FCE, VŠCHT Praha
Sequence-defined polymers intended as protein mimetics for diagnostics purposes
AnnotationThe growing societal pressure to limit the utilization of animal-derived products, particularly those employed in diagnostic procedures, has created a novel avenue for the exploration of synthetic macromolecules. The replacement of proteins' intricate structure with synthetic material represents a significant challenge, yet it is one that can be overcome through the application of cutting-edge polymer synthesis techniques, including Photo-RAFT or CuRDRP. The objective of this dissertation is to synthesize sequentially defined polymers based on methacrylamides or methacrylates with varying polymer chain architectures. The principal focus of this thesis will be on the organic synthesis of new monomers and the development and optimization of their polymerizations. Furthermore, the candidate will gain expertise in instrumental techniques for polymer characterization, including SEC, A4F, LC-MS, and NMR. The evaluation of the prepared materials in biochemical applications will be conducted in collaboration with domestic and foreign research institutes. During the course of the study, the opportunity to undertake a collaborative internship abroad will be made available. The candidate will be expected to possess a certain level of knowledge and experience in organic and/or macromolecular chemistry, as well as a willingness to learn new things in other fields, such as biochemistry or biology. The role will entail engaging and diverse work within a young, dynamic team in a well-equipped academic department.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Monitoring and prediction of tablet disintegration behavior using texture analysis
AnnotationThe disintegration kinetics of tablets is a determining step for their overall dissolution behavior, as it determines the size and specific surface area of the fragments produced during their disintegration. This kinetics depends on the rate of penetration of the disintegration medium into the tablet microstructure, both into the pores and swelling components of the tablet, and the ability of the internal dissolution and swelling processes to disrupt the tablet cohesion. The aim of this work is to study the kinetics of water absorption into the tablet as a function of its composition and microstructure by means of textural analysis and microscopic measurements, to study the resistance of the tablet to erosive effects as a function of the amount of absorbed liquid as well as the size of the fragments formed as a result of these processes. The knowledge obtained should then be used to develop a fully or partially predictive model capable of predicting disintegration behavior based on the microstructure of the tablet and the physical properties of its components.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Technology, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Studying the behavior of fish populations using biotelemetry data
AnnotationBiotelemetry is a modern and effective method for monitoring fish populations, with the key advantage of enabling the collection of valuable data on fish movement and behavior without the need for recapture at the end of the study. This method allows for the long-term observation of population dynamics; however, the resulting time series often contain gaps due to limited signal availability or other environmental factors. The objective of this study is to design and implement suitable extrapolation methods based on Markov processes to compensate for missing data and ensure more robust analyses. A crucial aspect will also be the identification of unobserved states within the fish population using Hidden Markov Models (HMM), which will help improve the understanding of population dynamics even in situations where direct observation is not possible. The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of ecological processes affecting fish populations while providing valuable tools for optimizing aquaculture practices and improving fisheries management strategies.
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Study place:
Department of Informatics and Chemistry, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Study of the skin barrier formation and the possibilities of its restoration at the molecular level
AnnotationThe molecular mechanisms of the formation of the intercellular lipid matrix, which is crucial for high quality skin barrier function, are still not well understood. This work will aim at unraveling these processes using biophysical techniques on model membranes (SAXS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, etc.), and membrane permeability will also be studied in this context. Based on these findings, the conditions for the design of topical lipid formulations capable of restoring the disrupted (diseased) skin lipid barrier will be defined.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Technology, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer systems for biomedical applications
AnnotationSelf-assembly of (macro)molecules is of crucial importance in the architecture of living organisms. Supramolecular systems have their key properties critically dependent on self-assembly and find use in the area of biomedical applications especially if they are able to reversibly react to external stimuli (changes in pH, light, redox potential, ultrasound, temperature, concentration of certain substances). The doctoral thesis will be based on chemical and/or physicochemical preparation and study of self-assembly of such multi-stimuli-responsive nanoparticles with external environment (pH, redox potential and temperature responsiveness); the exact topic will take into account the student´s interests. The studied nanoparticles and injectable depot systems will be designed for diagnostics and personalized immunoradiotherapy and immunochemotherapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Optimized nanoparticles will be then provided to collaborating biological workplaces for in vivo testing.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Synthesis and application of polymeric scavengers interacting with cationic amphiphilic peptides by charge compensation
AnnotationBiocompatible polymer ions have been intensively studied as promising materials in the therapeutical and diagnostical fields of nanomedicine. Recently, it was demonstrated that polyanions with a high charge density are able to suppress the biological effects of the cationic amphiphilic peptide (CAMP) melittin from bee venom by binding it to the polyplex complex. In the future bio-inspirited nanostructures loaded by toxic drug inside release the drug in the needed place. Drug will be honey bee poison melittin. Needed place will be cancer. The cathelicidin is an element of innate immunity, that plays an important role in the development of the pathogenic process in psoriasis. Both cathelicidin and defensins are CAMPs are expected to behave similar to mellitin from the point of view of interaction with polyanions such as polyacrylic acid. Thus, scavenging these peptides by locally administered polyanions should break the cytokine storm cycle, leading to the induction of psoriasis, and thus suppress it. The series of nanogels acids will be prepared using microemulsion polymerization technique. In vitro testing (hemolysis on mouse erythrocytes) of obtained materials will be performed. Chemical, physical and biomedical investigation will be performed.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
"Synthesis and application of polymeric scavengers interacting with cationic amphiphilic peptides by charge compensation."
AnnotationBiocompatible polymer ions have been intensively studied as promising materials in the therapeutical and diagnostical fields of nanomedicine. Recently, it was demonstrated that polyanions with a high charge density are able to suppress the biological effects of the cationic amphiphilic peptide (CAMP) melittin from bee venom by binding it to the polyplex complex. In the future bio-inspirited nanostructures loaded by toxic drug inside release the drug in the needed place. Drug will be honey bee poison melittin. Needed place will be cancer. The cathelicidin is an element of innate immunity, that plays an important role in the development of the pathogenic process in psoriasis. Both cathelicidin and defensins are CAMPs are expected to behave similar to mellitin from the point of view of interaction with polyanions such as polyacrylic acid. Thus, scavenging these peptides by locally administered polyanions should break the cytokine storm cycle, leading to the induction of psoriasis, and thus suppress it. The series of nanogels acids will be prepared using microemulsion polymerization technique. In vitro testing (hemolysis on mouse erythrocytes) of obtained materials will be performed. Chemical, physical and biomedical investigation will be performed.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS
Utilization of inter-and intra-molecular interactions in modelling of drug-polymer systems
AnnotationInterparticle interactions play a significant role during the process of micelle formation, stabilization of nanoparticles during antisolvent precipitation, stabilization of drug molecules in supersaturated solution during drug dissolution, or even in the process of selection of suitable polymers to prepare amorphous solid dispersion. In this thesis, we would like to utilize quantum mechanics and all-atom molecular dynamic simulations to tackle the above-mentioned challenges. The first studied system will contain a selection of suitable polymers to prepare an amorphous solid solution (ASS) with the selected drug while maximizing the long-term stability of ASS. In addition, we plan to study the interaction of selected polymers with a drug in a water environment to maximize drug solubility and prevent drug precipitation from supersaturated solution. The second studied system will consist of surfactant molecules (both synthetic and natural) in a water environment where we plan to study the impact of concentration of surfactant molecules, length of hydrophobic and hydrophilic chains, presence of ionic strength or temperature variation on the formation of micelles/surfactant molecule coils. Particular attention will be considered when drugs are added to this system, where the goal will be to understand the solubilization of drug molecules in the surfactant micelles. Obtained results will be compared with available experimental data containing the solubility of the drug in a polymer, time evolution of drug concentration in the supersaturated solution stabilized with polymer, or permeation measurement of drug molecules in the presence of surfactants and polymers. Simulations will start from quantum-chemical calculations of the COSMO-RS type to enable the first and relatively quick qualitative estimation of Hansen's solubility parameters and can thus serve in the initial screening of suitable polymers. In the next step, molecular dynamic simulations will be used to simulate the polymer-drug affinity in a real system arrangement (ideally including basic experimental knowledge).
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Chemical Engineering, FCE, VŠCHT Praha
The use of surface energy as a tool for the formulation applications
AnnotationPharmaceutical products are sophisticated mixtures of numerous compounds that can be liquids or solids. However, there is still the problem how to select them efficiently without costly and time-consuming tests that are associated with the complexity of the drug development. Surface energy could be used as powerful prediction tool to perform such selections. The aim of this work is to provide a new perspective on the prediction of component compatibility (API and excipient) for formulation design for the production of solid dosage forms based on the surface properties of their components.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Technology, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
Development of advanced nanoparticle formulations for topical drug delivery
AnnotationNewly developed drugs often have a problematic physicochemical profile resulting in very low bioavailability. Nanoparticle formulations offer a possible solution. This work will deal with the formulation of selected active ingredients into different types of nanoparticles and study their efficacy on bioavailability to living tissue.
Contact supervisor
Study place:
Department of Organic Technology, FCT, VŠCHT Praha
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Updated: 21.1.2022 15:24, Author: Jan Kříž