Seminář Igor Adameyko
2025-11-12 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Prague) | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“The atlas of placodal development helps to decipher their evolutionary origin”
In this talk I will present our single cell and spatial transcriptomics data, which I will place into the light of the current ideas about the placodal evolution. Neurogenic placodes are specialized embryonic ectodermal thickenings in the head that give rise to sensory neurons, sensory receptor and glial cell, and endocrine tissues. They, together with the neural crest, form the basis of the vertebrate cranial sensory and neurosecretory systems. Placodes are unique to vertebrates and represent a major evolutionary innovation that allowed the elaboration of the vertebrate „new head“ – the complex sensory apparatus and associated ganglia that support the information flows necessary for effective predation and movement. They may have evolved from ancestral epidermal sensory cell fields present in protochordates (like tunicates or amphioxus).

Single-cell course – laboratory methods
2025-11-18 - 2025-11-21 | Posluchárna 0.195 / Lecture room 0.195
Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to invite you to an intensive introductory three-day course on Single-cell analysis - from qPCR to sequencing, organised by the Institute of Biotechnology (Radek Šindelka) and the Institute of Molecular Genetics (Michal Kolář).

Dates: November 18, 19, and 21
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Krč Campus (IMG Lecture room 0.195 – Jágr’s hall)

This course will provide valuable insights and practical skills in the rapidly evolving field of laboratory methods for single-cell analyses and spatial transcriptomics. With a maximum of 25 participants, you’ll receive personalised attention and the opportunity to engage deeply with the subject.

In early December, a course on bioinformatical analysis will follow up with particular focus on single-cell RNA-seq data.

If you’re interested in joining us, please respond via email to sindelka@ibt.cas.cz as soon as possible, as space is limited.

We look forward to an enriching experience together!

Best regards,

Radek Šindelka & Michal Kolář

FlowJo™ 11 training
2025-11-18 09:30 - 12:30 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
Dear colleagues,
on November 18th 2025 we will organize FlowJo™ 11 training with Ioannis Panetas, Ph.D.- application specialist from BD.
FlowJo is a powerful cytometry data analysis software available to users of our Flow Cytometry Core Facility.
More information about FlowJo: https://www.flowjo.com/solutions/flowjo
This year, the training will focus on the new version 11, which, in terms of the user interface and some features, is quite different from the previous version. This training is therefore also suitable for more experienced FlowJo users who have not yet become familiar with version 11.

Tuesday November 18th 2025, 9:30 am — 12:30pm
Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Vídeňská 1083
142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
Hašek Auditorium

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Unveiling FlowJo 11, the future of data analysis
Come hear about the newest version of FlowJo Software! We’ll tour the new immersive workbench and discuss features unique to this version such as the Metadata Manager, Graph Gallery, virtual concatenation, charts, and integrated algorithms.
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Hands-on training for FlowJo 11
Attendees will be guided through the analysis of a shared data set. To participate, users are expected to bring their own laptop, complete all downloads and installs, and have an active FlowJo Portal license. Please follow the instructions here

If you don‘ have license on your laptop, please check yes in the related question in registration form and BD will send you temporary license.

There is no fee for the training.

If you want to attend, please fill the registration form: https://forms.gle/23UrU6fmdn7TxSxCA
Best regards
Matyáš Šíma

Seminář Nándor Nagy
2025-11-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Understanding the enteric nervous system development through the avian embryo model: implications for regenerative biology”
In this presentation, I will provide an overview of enteric nervous system (ENS) development from the perspective of the avian embryo. The ENS, often referred to as the “second brain,” originates from vagal neural crest cells that migrate into the developing gut and differentiate into neuronal and glial networks that regulate intestinal function.
Avian species, particularly chicken and quail, have long served as powerful model organisms for studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating ENS formation, because their embryos are easily accessible, rapidly developing, and highly suitable for experimental manipulation. Today, with new tools such as in ovo electroporation, retroviral gene transfer, and CRISPR-based editing, the avian model again provides unique opportunities to study enteric neurogenesis in vivo.
Integrating classical embryonic manipulation approaches with single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analyses now provides a comprehensive framework for understanding enteric neurogenesis, lineage diversification, and the evolutionary conservation of neural crest–derived systems across vertebrates.

Seminář Tomas Paulenda
2025-11-26 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“The immunoregulatory properties of the metabolite itaconate”
In this talk I will present my latest findings of the function of immunoregulatory metabolite itaconate. Itaconate accumulates in innate immune cells upon Toll-like receptor stimulation. In response to macrophage activation by lipopolysaccharide, itaconate inhibits inflammasome activation and boosts type I interferon signalling; however, the molecular mechanism of this immunoregulation remained unclear. Here, we show that the enhancement of type I interferon secretion by itaconate depends on the inhibition of peroxiredoxin 5 and on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. We find that itaconate non-covalently inhibits peroxiredoxin 5, leading to the modulation of mitochondrial peroxide in activating macrophages. Through genetic manipulation, we confirm that peroxiredoxin 5 modulates type I interferon secretion in macrophages. The non-electrophilic itaconate mimetic 2-methylsuccinate inhibits peroxiredoxin 5 and phenocopies immunoregulatory action of itaconate on type I interferon and inflammasome activation, providing further support for a non-covalent inhibition of peroxiredoxin 5 by itaconate. Our work shows Peroxiredoxin 5 as a novel Type I interferon regulator with big potential to future research of redox regulation of immune responses.

Course on scRNA-seq Data Analysis - IMG
2025-12-01 - 2025-12-03 | Posluchárna 0.195 / Lecture room 0.195
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) allows researchers to study gene expression at the level of individual cells. This approach can, for example, help to identify different cell populations in a complex sample and describe their expression patterns. To generate and analyse scRNA-seq data, several methods are available, all with their strengths and weaknesses depending on the researchers’ needs. This 3-day course will cover the main technologies as well as the main aspects to consider while designing an scRNA-seq experiment. In particular, it will combine the theoretical background of analytical methods with hands-on data analysis sessions focused on data generated by droplet-based platforms.

By the end of the course, participants will possess the following abilities:
• Distinguish advantages and pitfalls of scRNA-seq.
• Design their own scRNA-seq experiment, using common technologies like 10× Genomics.
• Apply quality control (QC) measures and utilise analysis tools to preprocess scRNA-seq data.
• Apply normalisation, scaling, dimensionality reduction, integration and clustering on scRNA-seq data using R.
• Differentiate between cell annotation techniques to identify and characterise cell populations.
• Use differential gene expression analysis methods on scRNA-seq data to gain biological insights.
• Select enrichment analysis methods appropriate to the biological question and data.
• Develop an scRNA-seq data analysis workflow from raw count matrix to differential gene expression with peer support and light guidance.

More information and registration at https://www.elixir-czech.cz/events/course-on-scrna-seq-data-analysis-2025

On behalf of the organisers,

Michal Kolář

—
Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics
Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Videnska 1083
142 20 Prague 4
Czech Republic

Phone +420 241 063 412
Email kolarmi@img.cas.cz <mailto:kolarmi@img.cas.cz>

Metabolomics and lipidomics: platforms, pitfalls, and practical tips
2025-12-01 15:00 | Kinosal, Vídeňská 1083, Praha
Doc. Ing. Tomáš Čajka Ph.D., Fyziologický ústav AV ČR, bude zajišťovat 21 th Metodologický seminář Krč – Biocev na téma:
„Metabolomics and lipidomics: platforms, pitfalls, and practical tips“, který se bude konat 1.12.2025 od 15,00 hodin v Kinosále FGÚ.
Anotace:
Metabolomics and lipidomics are rapidly advancing fields that have transformed our understanding of biological processes at the molecular level. Yet, designing an appropriate workflow and selecting from the many available analytical options can be challenging [1]. Since 2018, the Metabolomics Core Facility at the Institute of Physiology CAS (https://metabolomics.fgu.cas.cz) has offered fee-based services for analyzing polar metabolites, complex lipids, and exposome compounds (including drugs) in biological materials [2]. The scope of these services has steadily expanded, with approximately 5,000 samples analyzed annually using a multiplatform liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) approach. This lecture will present the current untargeted LC–MS platforms (LIMeX workflow) and introduce upcoming platforms. We will also discuss common pitfalls related to study design, metabolome coverage, and statistical analysis.
[1] Rakusanova & Cajka, Trends Anal Chem 180 (2024) 117940 (doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2024.117940)
[2] Cajka et al., Int J Mol Sci 324 (2023) 1987 (doi: 10.3390/ijms24031987)

Seminář Tomáš Venit
2025-12-03 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Nuclear myosin 1 – from gene to function”
Mitochondria play a vital role in cellular metabolism by generating energy through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in most somatic cells. However, highly proliferative, undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells and cancer cells mainly rely on aerobic glycolysis for energy production. Recently, we reported that nuclear myosin 1 (NM1) functions as a tumor suppressor and a key regulator of cellular metabolism, directly controlling the expression of the mitochondrial transcription factors TFAM and Pgc1α. Its deletion alters mitochondrial structure, reduces OXPHOS gene expression, induces a metabolic shift toward aerobic glycolysis, and promotes tumor formation in mice. In this talk, I will move from tumor development to somatic tissues and share our latest findings from phenotyping NM1 knockout mice.

Seminář Jakub Rídl
2025-12-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Enigmatic germline-restricted chromosome of songbirds has different centromere compared to regular chromosomes”
Centromeres are an important part of chromosomes which direct chromosome segregation during cell division. Their modifications can therefore explain the unusual mitotic and meiotic behaviour of certain chromosomes, such as the germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) of songbirds. This chromosome is eliminated from somatic cells during early embryogenesis and later also from male germ cells during spermatogenesis. We used a combination of cytogenetic and genomic approaches to identify the centromeric sequences of two closely related songbird species, the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the thrush nightingale (L. luscinia). We found a 436-bp satellite repeat present in the centromeric regions of all regular chromosomes (i.e., autosomes and sex chromosomes). Interestingly, hybridization of the probe to this repeat on meiotic spreads suggested that this repeat is missing on the GRC. Our results indicate that the change of the centromeric sequence may underlie the unusual inheritance and programmed DNA elimination of the GRC in songbirds.

Seminář Mehak Nihal Shaikh
2025-12-17 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“ALDH1A1 inhibition as a therapeutic target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia”
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy leading to differentiation arrest of the myeloid compartment in the bone marrow. It is reported that high levels of ALDH1A1 inhibition promote chemoresistance in AML. Therefore, in my project we are studying the role of ALDH1A1 inhibition in AML using AML cell lines, mouse models, and AML patient samples. And lastly, we will show the effect of ALDH1A1 inhibition in combination with standard of care chemotherapeutic drugs as a potential treatment strategy for AML.

Seminář Veronika Niederlová
2026-01-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“CD8+ T cells in infection: Orchestration of the effector and memory fates”
In infection, naive CD8+ T cells differentiate into short-lived effector cells, which provide immediate protection against the pathogen, and long-lived memory cells, which retain immunological information long after pathogen clearance. Using single-cell multiomics techniques and in vivo tracking of individual clonal families, we show which factors drive the effector versus memory cell fate decision.

Seminář Viktor Bugajev
2026-01-14 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Multiple Layers of Control in Early Sphingolipid Biosynthesis”
Sphingolipids are fundamental components of cellular membranes and key mediators of intracellular signaling. Their de novo synthesis is initiated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is tightly regulated at the level of the serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) complex. ORMDL proteins are established canonical negative regulators of SPT activity, thereby maintaining sphingolipid homeostasis. In this seminar, we demonstrate that ceramides act as major regulators of ORMDL expression levels and identify a previously unrecognized ORMDL interactor that establishes a novel relationship between ORMDL expression and sphingolipid abundance, reminiscent of dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism observed in pathological conditions. These findings uncover an additional layer of control over the sphingolipid pathway and highlight unexpected flexibility in ORMDL-dependent regulation of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis.

Seminář Anna Koslová
2026-01-21 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Integration and reactivation of endogenous DNA viruses in unicellular eukaryotes”
Viruses infecting protists play important ecological and evolutionary roles by modulating microbial population dynamics and contributing to genome evolution through endogenization. Protist genomes contain tens to thousands of endogenous viral elements (EVEs), many of which appear intact and may represent functional viruses. Some EVEs are related to virophages—viruses that parasitize on larger “giant viruses” infecting eukaryotic hosts. Using an isolated virophage system, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying viral DNA integration and reactivation.

Seminář Hanna-Mari Baldauf
2026-01-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna 0.195 / Lecture room 0.195
“From virus-host interactions to a novel protein delivery tool”
The VIIRAL lab has advanced the understanding of species-specific virus-host interactions against retroviruses. This advancement facilitates now the development of a rabbit model against HIV, which is a long standing interest in the lab. We use virological, cellular, biochemical, and evolutionary approaches to decipher motifs/pathways that might be important for virus-host interactions. Furthermore, we have developed VICTORI, a novel protein delivery platform that can be tailored for the delivery of therapeutic proteins for different purposes.

Seminář Lorena Arranz
2026-01-28 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Therapeutic targeting of stem cells and their niches in myeloid malignancies”
Our research group “Stem Cells, Ageing and Cancer” aims at providing insights into mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cell malignant transformation, including interactions of this cell with its surrounding microenvironment, and a focus on inflammation, signaling oncometabolites and various cellular components of the stem cell niche. Our goal is the identification of novel therapeutic targets of potential clinical interest for myeloid malignancies.
We will give an overview of our research and present unpublished observations accepted in principle in Nature Communications, where we have uncovered an important role for the metabolite succinate and its membrane receptor Succinate receptor (Sucnr1) in the regulation of hematopoiesis in health and malignancy. Our work suggests that Sucnr1 signaling restricts hematopoiesis at least partially via the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell compartment and control of S100a9. The dysregulation of Sucnr1 emerges as contributor to malignancy, accounting for SUCNR1 expression as a predictor of prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and opening new potential therapeutic avenues for these patients.

Seminář Susana Minguet
2026-02-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Harnessing TCR Discoveries for the Next Generation of Immunotherapies”
Recent advances in synthetic immunology and CAR T cell engineering have highlighted the critical importance of signaling diversity for optimizing anti-tumor responses. Our work outlines the design of innovative cell-based cancer immunotherapies rooted in a molecular understanding of T cell activation via the T cell receptor complex (TCR–CD3). I will discuss how modulating receptor signaling interfaces and precisely recruiting kinases and adaptors can advance both fundamental immunology and translational therapies. Key noncanonical interactions between specific components of the TCR–CD3 complex and the Src-kinase Lck fine-tune T cell activation; when implemented in chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), these mechanisms improved in vivo tumor control and reduced T cell exhaustion. Supporting our rational design of next-generation CAR T cells, we demonstrated that harnessing CD3 chain diversity, rather than simply increasing signaling strength, enabled the generation of CAR T cells with enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and safety profiles.

Seminář Lucie Janečková
2026-02-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“NG2-lineage cell plasticity in ischemic brain repair: Roles of Wnt signaling”
Focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) leads to neuronal loss followed by extensive tissue remodeling, in which glial and vascular cell populations play indispensable roles. Among these, NG2 glia and perivascular NG2⁺ cells represent highly plastic cell types that actively participate in post-ischemic responses, yet their functional heterogeneity and regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this lecture, I will present our work investigating how these cell populations respond to ischemic injury and how modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling reshapes their cellular states and functions. By combining lineage tracing, transcriptomic analyses, and imaging approaches, we uncover changes in oligodendrocyte differentiation, perivascular cell behavior, and their contributions to tissue repair and regeneration. Finally, I will introduce an ongoing spatial transcriptomics study aimed at mapping cellular organization in the ischemic periphery and glial scar, highlighting emerging spatial patterns and open questions in brain regeneration.

Seminář Pranav Gulati
2026-02-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Initiating Mechanisms of Autoinflammatory Osteomyelitis: dysregulated neutrophil recruitment and tyrosine kinase signaling”
Autoinflammatory diseases result from inappropriate activation of the innate immune system in the absence of infection. Loss of PSTPIP2, a membrane adaptor protein, leads to the development of one such disease Chronic Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CMO), an autoinflammatory disease in mice which serves as a model for Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO) in humans. Neutrophils are essential for murine CMO initiation and contribute to tissue damage, but the early events that trigger their pathogenic activity remain poorly defined. Our work shows that early alterations in neutrophil signaling and migration precede both classical inflammatory cytokine responses and the appearance of overt disease symptoms. Pharmacological inhibition of some of these early pathways reduces disease severity and neutrophil activation. Together, these findings identify the initiating mechanisms of sterile bone inflammation in the mouse model of autoinflammatory osteomyelitis and provide potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Seminář Poulami Banik
2026-02-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Characterization and targeted rescue of a novel PRPF31 mutation in retinitis pigmentosa”
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disease characterized by photoreceptor loss. Mutations in the PRPF31 gene cause approximately 10% of cases of autosomal dominant RP. In this project, we characterize a novel intronic pathogenic variant in the PRPF31 gene. We provide evidence that the novel RP mutation activates a cryptic splice site, inducing the expression of an abnormal transcript. The resulting protein is unstable, and patient cells exhibit lower expression of PRPF31 and other splicing factors. To correct aberrant RNA splicing, we applied modified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to improve PRPF31 splicing in patient cells. We differentiated the patients‘ induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and demonstrated that ASO treatment improves PRPF31 splicing and increases PRPF31 protein levels in patient’s RPE cells. These findings suggest that ASO-based splicing correction is a promising therapy for this currently untreatable disease.

BD Biosciences – Lunch and Learn Seminar
2026-03-03
Dear colleagues,
We would like to invite you to join Lunch & Learn seminar focused on Panel Design Strategy in Flow Cytometry. This session is designed to support anyone involved in planning, optimizing, or performing multicolor flow cytometry experiments by providing both conceptual guidance and practical demonstrations.

More information and registration.
Flyer

Registration is free.

Best regards

—

Matyáš Šíma, Ph.D.

Seminář Vladimír Varga
2026-03-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Towards understanding life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei”
Trypanosoma brucei is a unicellular eukaryotic parasite of mammals causing sleeping sickness in humans. T. brucei is transmitted by the tsetse fly. In the fly trypanosomes migrate from the gut to salivary glands, which is associated with a defined sequence of changes to cells of the parasite. We have established an in vitro approach enabling us for the first time to study these life cycle transitions during initial stages of trypanosome migration. Hence, we were able to describe associated changes to trypanosome morphology, cell cycle, motility as well as to its proteome and metabolome. This revealed that the initial life cycle transitions represent a continuous plastic process rather than a sequence of irreversible decisions. Furthermore, it let to identification of a molecule in the trypanosome environment, which is critical for triggering cell cycle arrest during these transitions. Thus, our work opens new possibilities to understand complex biology of this important human parasite.

Seminář Diego André Florian Joseph
2026-03-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“The Fall of the Helicase of Dicer”
Dicer is an RNase III endoribonuclease that processes pre-miRNAs and dsRNAs into small RNAs of ~21–28 nt, serving the miRNA and RNAi pathways. In mammals, Dicer’s ability to process long dsRNA is constrained by its helicase domain. Consequently, the miRNA pathway predominates, and RNAi is considered vestigial. This constraint comes from a crucial interaction between the HEL1 subdomain of Dicer and its catalytic domain, which maintains Dicer in a “closed” conformation, making it highly selective. In the absence of HEL1, Dicer adopts an “open” conformation that reduces substrate selectivity and activates RNAi. Until now, this was the only interaction known to confer substrate selectivity and restrict RNAi activity. Here, we show that Dicer contains an additional region within its helicase that contributes to substrate selectivity. Analysis of Dicer’s AlphaFold structure revealed four major intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) adopting loop-like conformations. IDR1 is enriched in negatively charged residues and is predicted to interact with the positively charged RNA substrate channel of Dicer. Removal of IDR1 recapitulates the phenotype observed in the absence of HEL1, suggesting that HEL1 subdomain is not the only region in Dicer responsible for substrate selectivity.

Seminář - Srikant Ojha
2026-03-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Plectin Loss Disrupts Mechanotransduction and Attenuates
Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation”
Liver fibrosis, a hallmark of fibroproliferative disorders that contribute to nearly 45% of global mortality, is primarily driven by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In response to injury-induced tissue stiffening, HSCs undergo mechanosignaling-dependent activation and deposit excessive extracellular matrix (ECM), perpetuating a self-sustaining fibrotic loop. We sought to disrupt this process by targeting plectin, a cytolinker protein central to mechanotransduction. Using an HSC-specific plectin knockout (KO) mouse model, we observed significantly reduced ECM accumulation following carbon tetrachloride–induced injury. In vitro, plectin-deficient HSCs displayed impaired proliferation, migration, and focal adhesion formation. Single-cell transcriptomics further revealed attenuated activation signatures in KO HSCs. Together, our findings establish plectin as a key regulator of HSC mechanosignaling and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target to alleviate liver fibrosis.

Seminář - Michael Sixt
2026-03-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium
“Mechanic and energetic principles of leukocyte locomotion”
During metazoan development, immune surveillance and cancer dissemination, cells migrate in complex three-dimensional (3D) microenvironments. These are crowded by cells and extracellular matrix, generating mazes of differently sized spaces typically smaller than the diameter of the migrating cell. Most mesenchymal and epithelial cells actively generate their migratory path using pericellular tissue proteolysis and transmit traction forces via specific adhesion receptors. On the contrary, amoeboid cells such as leukocytes employ non-destructive strategies of locomotion and do not hold on to extracellular substrates. This raises the question how these extremely fast cells negotiate dense tissues. We discovered that leukocytes are able to migrate in the total absence of transmembrane force coupling. Instead, active deformations of the cell body can impose normal forces on the substrate and thereby generate propulsion. We are actively investigating how these normal forces are triggered and generated by the collective activity of the actin and microtuble cytoskeleton and develop new approaches to measure the energetic demands of the process.

Innovation Days in Bioscience Imaging – Vision for Life
2026-04-21 - 2026-04-23 | Posluchárna Milana Haška / Milan Hašek Auditorium

AI-based Segmentation and Tracking
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-21 | IMG
Learn practical workflows for image segmentation, cell tracking, and denoising using modern deep-learning tools (StarDist, Cellpose, Omnipose, Noise2Void, DeepImageJ, TrackMate, Delta2, ZeroCostDL4MIc, Zeiss arivis Cloud).
More information & registration:
https://course.img.cas.cz/aist/
Registration deadline: May 4
Best regards,
Martin Čapek, Michaela Blažíková, Jan Valečka and Pavel Krist (Zeiss)

Super-Resolution in Light Microscopy - practical course
2026-06-08 - 2026-06-10 | IMG
Dear colleagues,

we would like to announce the upcoming practical course Super-Resolution in Light Microscopy (SLM 2026), which will take place June 8–10, 2026 at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague.

Some of you may know our EMBO Practical Course on Super-Resolution Microscopy, which we bi-annually organize at IMG. The SLM course is a complementary event focused primarily on extended hands-on training, allowing participants to spend more time working directly with the methods and data processing workflows.

The three-day course combines short theoretical introductions with practical sessions in small groups. Participants will work with several super-resolution approaches including SIM, SMLM, STED and optical reassignment methods – Airyscan and SoRa.

The practical sessions are organized in collaboration with the Microscopy unit at the Institute of Experimental Medicine (IEM CAS).

The course is open to an international audience and the number of participants is limited to 15 to ensure an intensive training format.

More information, programme and registration details are available here:
https://course.img.cas.cz/slm/

Registration deadline: May 5, 2026

Please feel free to share this announcement with colleagues who might be interested.

Best regards,

Ivan Novotny & Michaela Blazikova

Ivan Novotny, Ph.D. | Light Microscopy Core Facility

+420 296 44 3192, 3168

+420 777 270 279

ivan.novotny@img.cas.cz

www.img.cas.cz
