Center for
interdisciplinary
biosciences

CAMO3E Project

Advanced imaging in the early diagnosis of esophageal tumours

Project code: 401101F618

Acronym: CAMO3E

The CAMO3E project is focused on the development and verification of innovative multimodal imaging approaches for the early diagnosis of esophageal tumors. Through the integration of advanced optical and biophotonic technologies, artificial intelligence methods and preclinical models, it creates a platform for the identification of new imaging biomarkers and the improvement of diagnostic procedures. The project will contribute to the development of cutting-edge biomedical research at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, strengthen its research infrastructure in the field of advanced imaging and support international cooperation in research, development and innovation. The results of the project will create the prerequisites for a more efficient transfer of modern diagnostic technologies to clinically oriented research and personalized medicine. The project is co-supported from the European Union through Programme Slovakia: Support for international cooperation in the field of research, development and innovation – Healthy Society Domain.

Principal investigator: RNDr. Veronika Huntošová, PhD.

Project duration: 01/07/2026 – 30/06/2028

BioPickmol

Vývoj nanosenzorických fotonických systémov na rýchlu detekciu vírusov využitím metód riadenej evolúcie proteínovýchplatforiem: prípad SARS-CoV-2

Funkcionalizácia povrchu čipu nanovrstvou molekúl špecifických proteínov vyvinutých metódou riadenej evolúcie vybraných proteínových platforiem. Tvorba nanovrstiev proteínov na detekčnom čipe bude prebiehať pomocou kontrolovanej špecifickej chemickej konjugácie, čim dosiahneme optimálnu efektivitu viazania a reprodukovateľnosť detekčných vlastností. Po nanesení vzorky inaktivovaného vírusu na funkcionalizovaný čip bude prítomnosť vírusu detegovaná na základe zosilneného ramanovského spektra povrchovými plazmónmi. Na detekciu signálu z funkcionalizovaných čipov bude vyvinutý detekčný systém bioRAMASCOPE. bioRAMASCOPE bude spĺňať špecifické požiadavky týkajúce sa detekčných limitov a spoľahlivosti prevádzky vyžadovaných pre detekciu vírusu SARS-CoV-2. Pomocou moderných selekčných metód proteínového inžinierstva sa budú vyvíjať artificiálne proteíny ako nové biologické entity s väzobnou funkciou, ktorá sa špecializuje na špecifické viazanie inaktivovaných vírusov. Na základe kombinácie viazania rôznych epitopov plánujeme dosiahnúť vysokú citlivosť a špecificitu vyselektovaných proteínových platforiem voči rôznym typom vírusov, vrátane SARS-CoV-2.

Hlavný riešiteľ: UPJŠ, doc. RNDr. Gabriel Žoldák, PhD.

Doba trvania projektu: 01/2021 – 06/2023

OPENMED

Open Scientific Community for Modern Interdisciplinary Research in Medicine (OPENMED)

Project OPENMED (participants: University of P.J. Šafárik in Košice (UPJŠ), Technical University of Košice (TUKE), University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVLF), Neurobiological Institute of the Biomedical Center SAV (NbÚ BMC SAV) and two partners from industrial sector – MM MEDICAL s.r.o. and JUHAPHARM s.r.o.) set as priority goals to solve selected problems of diagnosis and treatment of oncological, cardiovascular and viral diseases, CNS diseases as well as diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The uniqueness and originality of the OPENMED project lies in the meaningful use of the multidisciplinary environment of the universities in Košice and scientific research facilities, which are connected by complementary expertise in the fields of medicine, natural and technical sciences, and veterinary medicine. This connection, combined with an ambitious intention for technological transfer, represents a unique ecosystem of biomedical research in Slovakia. The intensive interdisciplinary cooperation between the project partners resulted in the creation of modern research areas connecting individual new biomedical fields, namely: i) nanomedicine and targeted therapy, ii) personalized medicine and iii) regenerative medicine and cell therapy. The overall goal of the project, the creation of a unique eco-system in the OPENMED consortium consisting of complementary scientific-research biomedical infrastructure and highly qualified professional personnel, will lead to the improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the treatment of the above-mentioned serious civilizational diseases through the application of the obtained research results in practice, and thus also to improve the health status of the population.

Project guarantor: doc. Mgr. Daniel Jancura, PhD.

Period: 1.11.2019 – 30.6.2023

CasProt

Fostering high scientific quality in protein science in Eastern Slovakia (CasProt)

Project objective: The main goal of the project is to increase the scientific capacity and grow the research potential of UPJŠ in Košice in the field of protein sciences. Its implementation will take 3 years. Top research teams of partner entities of the Technical University of Munich and the University of Zurich participate in the project. This project will lead to the development of technologies and the increase of the innovation potential of UPJŠ in Košice with the expected impact not only on eastern Slovakia but also on the whole country.
The results of the research will provide an understanding of the molecular basis of the regulation of GPCR function, as well as the improvement of a rational approach to the targeted development of new drugs. The project also significantly supports young scientists in the development of skills in the field of interdisciplinary biosciences, and one of the ambitions of the project is also to attract back experienced Slovak scientists working abroad for a long time. It is expected that the results of the project will lead to the creation of a patent and start-up company as well as to contacts with major industrial companies.

CELIM
The project 7FP EU (REGPOT)  „Fostering Excellence in Multiscale Cell Imaging“ (CELIM) is designed to energize the research potential of the University of P. J. Safarik in Kosice, Slovakia, by the enhancement of the existing network of collaborators with the selected excellent European Partners, centered around the theme of cell imaging, by the acquisition of a new technical infrastructure, and by the reintegration of highly experienced Slovak scientists contemporary working abroad.

The advanced protein biotechnology consortium: A model for fostering economic growth and mitigating brain drain in Eastern Slovakia

Project code: 09-I02-03-V01-00021                                                 

Akronym/Acronym: APBC

The Advanced Protein Biotechnology Consortium is a project aimed at an international collaborative R&D model with excellent academic partners to address economic and social challenges in Slovakia while effectively mitigating the brain drain from Eastern Slovakia. The APBC project is strategically designed to foster sustainable development by leveraging the potential of protein biotechnology, setting up the conditions for the creation of intellectual property in the given area and the conditions to attract bio-production facilities in the long term. By focusing on this cutting-edge field, the consortium aims to drive economic growth, create high-skilled job opportunities, and enhance the overall competitiveness of Slovakia in the bio-industrial segment. Hence, APBC provides a model proof-of-principle concept for addressing the significant challenges in Slovakia, and we expect that our initiative will motivate other industrial segments as well.

Principal investigator: prof. RNDr. Erik Sedlák, DrSc.

Period: 03/2025-08/2027

Exploring the structural properties and therapeutic potential of the Hsp70 chaperone’s substrate-binding domain for the treatment of amyloidosis

Project code: 09I03-03-V04-00116

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by the improper folding and aggregation of light chain, leading to their deposition in various tissues. This impairs their functionality and results in serious health complications. Despite the severity of amyloidosis, there is currently no effective treatment aimed at suppressing light chain aggregation. In this project, we plan to elucidate the structural properties and therapeutic potential of the substrate-binding domain of the chaperone Hsp70 as a novel strategy to combat amyloidosis. To achieve this, we will employ a combination of molecular biology, biophysics, and structural biology techniques. The added value of the project lies in the establishment of protein crystallography as a new scientific discipline at UPJS, both at practical and theoretical levels.

Principal Investigator: RNDr. Michal Nemergut, PhD.

Period: 07/2024 – 06/2026

Breast cancer organoid on a chip for fluorescence lifetime imaging of autophagy and apoptosis induced by targeted treatment with designed ankyrin repeat protein

Project code: 09I03-03-V04-00007

Fluorescence lifetime is a unique parameter of a molecule that is very sensitive to the environment. Therefore, fluorescence lifetime imaging allows identification of local changes in cells with high spatial and temporal resolution. Replacing animal models for human disease is a high priority in our research. This project aims to create a breast cancer organoid composed of cells with various expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 to monitor subcellular and cellular interactions during targeted treatment. The organoid thus exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity and bridges the gap between cell cultures and in vivo models of cancer. The innovative approach of a hydrogel scaffold of recombinant spider silk proteins is proposed to grow cells on a chip. The cells on the chip are targeted by a nano-delivery system consisting of metal-based nanoparticles and a designed ankyrin repeat protein. The composition of the nanoparticles enables multimodal bioimaging and treatment.

Principal Investigator: RNDr. Veronika Huntošová, PhD.

Period: 07/2024 – 06/2026

 

Rational design of stable and catalytically effective haloalkane dehalogenase DhaA

Project code: 09I03-03-V04-00112

Haloalkane dehalogenases (HLDs) are known as microbial enzymes that can degrade synthetic halogenated compounds that are recognized as pollutants. Three archetypal enzymes (DhlA, DhaA, and LinB) have been extensively studied and modified by protein engineering. However, obtaining biotechnology-required qualitative traits of HLDs still represents a significant obstacle for researchers. This project brings original solution for possible enhancement of stability and catalytic activity of a group of haloalkane dehalogenases. The major achievement will be establishment of methodology for effective improvement of HLD by combination of methods of the rational design and protein evolution. To demonstrate efficiency of the proposed approach, well-characterized haloalkane dehalogenase DhaA will be chosen as a HLD representative.

Principal investigator: RNDr. Ivana Timková, PhD.

Period: 9/2024-6/2026

 

ExCasProt

Podpora rozvoja biotechnologického výskumu proteínov na východnom Slovensku

Fostering high scientific quality in protein research in Eastern Slovakia

Kód projektu: 09I01-03-V04-00041

Hlavým cieľom predkladaného projektu ExCasProt je pomocou metód riadenej evolúcie vyvinúť a identifikovať solubilné analógy GPCR proteínov, čo povedie k jednoduchšej manipulácii s nimi, lepšiemu pochopeniu ich štruktúry a funkcie.

Receptory spojené s G-proteínmi (GPCR) predstavujú dôležitú skupinu membránových proteínov. V organizme zohrávajú kľúčovú úlohu a narušenie ich signálnej dráhy je spojené s množstvom ochorení, preto sú relevantným cieľom farmaceutického priemyslu. Dizajn liečiv založený na detailnom poznaní štruktúry komplexov proteín-ligand je jedným z najefektívnejších prístupov v súčasnom výskume liekov. U GPCR je počet dostupných štruktúr obmedzený v dôsledku nedostatku štruktúrnych údajov spôsobených komplikáciami súvisiacimi s ich produkciou a izoláciou v natívnej forme. Hlavým cieľom predkladaného projektu ExCasProt je pomocou metód riadenej evolúcie vyvinúť a identifikovať solubilné analógy GPCR proteínov, čo povedie k jednoduchšej manipulácii s nimi, lepšiemu pochopeniu ich štruktúry a funkcie. Úspech v konkrétnom prípade nám poslúži ako dôkaz princípu, ktorý by mohol byť aplikovateľný aj na ďalšie proteíny z triedy GPCR.

Hlavný riešiteľ: Mgr. Mária Tomková, PhD.

Doba trvania projektu: 2/2024 – 6/2026