Research

Enzymes provide delicate synchronisation of numerous processes using dynamic elements like tunnels and gates. Tunnels and gates mediate exchange of ligands between the solvent and enzyme’s active site or between two buried active sites. Mobile gates allow access of the preferred substrates and co-factors, while preventing the entry of non-cognate ligands, inhibitors or solvent. Targeting these natural hotspots can provide impressive refinement of valuable enzyme properties and represents a promising strategy in protein engineering.

Perfusion analysis is an important experimental technique used for diagnostics and evaluation of therapy response. Analysis based on magnetic resonance (MR) helps in identifying the state and dynamic behaviour of oncological and cardiovascular diseases and enables bettertreatment. MR perfusion analysis is done by means of estimating parameters describing tissue properties from the acquired signal. Accurate quantification of the parameters driving complex perfusion models requires low signal to noise ratio and high spatial and temporal resolution.

Thanks to rapid technological development, innovative imaging technologies enable observing previously hidden life processes inside cells, tissues and entire organisms. Therefore, imaging has truly become one of the main drivers of research in biological and medical sciences. CzechBioImaging is built as a distributed research infrastructure of imaging core facilities in the Czech Republic. It will offer open access to a broad portfolio of imaging techniques and expertise for acquiring completely new research data.

The research aim of the multidisciplinary project is to develop advanced nanoparticle systems for rapid imaging of thrombi in the cardiovascular system, especially in the brain (cerebral ictus), using in vivo imaging technique MRI. The efficacy of the system will be tested on preclinical rat and rabbit animal models. Contrast agents are based on nanoliposomes labelled with gadolinium complexes for rapid and sensitive imaging with the use of MRI.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective long-term treatment for motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). The most frequently used target is the subthalamic nucleus (STN). For some patients, the beneficial motor effects may be accompanied by cognitive impairment and other neuropsychiatric disturbances. PD is associated with impaired functioning of the basal ganglia, their interactions with cortical structures resulting in changed functional cortical connectivity.

The goal of the project is to boost the system of commercialization especially the process of Proof of Concept which will raise the number of commercialised research results of the ISI’s research teams in accordance with national initiative Prumysl 4.0. ISI’s research and development concentrates on the production of high-technology instrumentation and methodology. The reaching of commercializable level of scientific high-technology results is not only time-consuming, but mainly very expensive process.

Tuky tvoří významnou část organismu lidí a zvířat a zároveň mohou sloužit jako biomarkery v mnoha oblastech medicíny. Z tohoto důvodu je vhodné umět co nejpřesněji kvantifikovat tukovou složku (určit koncentraci), často označovanou jako tuková frakce (FF – fat fraction). MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) metodologie využívá fyzikálních vlastností vody a lipidů. MRI v kombinaci s vhodným zpracováním umožňuje detekovat tuk a kvantifikovat poměr vody a tuků ve zkoumané tkáni. Tyto specifické techniky jsou nazývány Dixonovy metody (dále jen DM).

The main aim of the project is the research, development and subsequent realization of the advanced length measuring systems that are currently unavailable on the market but the industry have already demanded them in order to ensure proper length measurement technology under limiting conditions.