Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine

05/08/2025

📺 “It’s a cost of prosperity,” says Marián Hajdúch, Director of IMTM, in an interview for ČT’s Horizont, commenting on the rising burden of liver cancer worldwide.

In low-income countries, up to 70% of liver cancer cases are linked to hepatitis B and C infections. “Universal newborn vaccination against hepatitis B has proven to dramatically reduce cases. It’s a key preventive measure we should expand globally,” he noted.

In developed countries, however, alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets are major drivers. Without significant changes in lifestyle and prevention, cases could double by 2050—including in the Czech Republic. 🍷 Is the healthcare system ready for this? “I’m afraid it’s not. And neither is the rest of the world,” said Hajdúch. ⚠️

Watch full interview in Czech ➡ www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10316155327-horizont-ct24/225411058050804/

28/07/2025

🧪 Novel blood-based biomarkers for optimizing therapeutic strategies in metastatic prostate cancer. The platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, and chromogranin A concentration—a protein found in neuroendocrine cells—are three important, easily obtainable indicators of failure of combined hormonal therapy in prostate cancer, measurable through a simple blood draw.

In the published study, which focused on patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, analysis of 16 different biomarkers identified three that independently predict failure of combined androgen deprivation therapy with androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. These are platelet count, CRP concentration, and chromogranin A concentration.

The results conducted by researchers from the Laboratory of Molecular Pathology at the Institute of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Palacký University Lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Palackého , which is part of the National Institute for Cancer Research NÚVR - Národní ústav pro výzkum rakoviny , the Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, and the Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Olomouc Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc , have been published in the international peer-reviewed journal Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

Original article in Czech 👉 www.tribune.cz/archiv/nove-krevni-biomarkery-pro-lepsi-rozhodovani-o-lecbe-metastatickych-nadoru-prostaty/ #

English version available here 👉 https://imtm.cz/news/novel-blood-based-biomarkers-optimizing-therapeutic-strategies-metastatic-prostate-cancer

16/07/2025

🌟 Palacký University has recently undergone a rigorous evaluation by an International Evaluation Panel, which focuses, among other things, on improving the quality of the research environment, the societal impact of universities’ scientific work, and the strategies for developing research institutions. During the three‑day program, the panel members visited all eight faculties and the IMTM. They had the opportunity to see our labs and research equipment. 🔬

The visit of the panel, composed of experts from foreign universities, was part of a national assessment of research organizations that takes place once every five years, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Czech universities in the field of science and research.

Foto: Martin Višňa

07/07/2025

FREE SCREENING PROGRAMS THAT SAVE LIVES 💫

☝️ Dr. Marián Hajdúch, Medical Director of the National Institute for Cancer Research:
“Lung cancer is a curable disease—if detected early. Unfortunately, more than 80 percent of patients are diagnosed at an advanced, incurable stage. That’s why it is so important to focus on early detection methods that are simple, reliable, and affordable.”

Some cancer deaths are preventable. If cancer is detected early through screening, lives can be saved. And screening is no longer just about breast cancer prevention—it includes several types of cancer. But for screening to work, people need to participate much more than they do now.

💡 SCREENINGY, KTERÉ JSOU ZDARMA A ZACHRAŇUJÍ ŽIVOTY
☝️ doc. Marián Hajdúch, lékařský ředitel NÚVR: „Rakovina plic je vyléčitelné onemocnění, pokud se diagnostikuje včas. Bohužel přes 80 procent pacientů přichází až s pokročilým a nevyléčitelným onemocněním. Proto je velmi důležité zaměřit se na takový způsob jeho časné detekce, který je jednoduchý, spolehlivý a cenově dostupný,“
👉 CELÝ TEXT A SEZNAM SCREENINGŮ: https://bit.ly/44AcgxH
Seznam Zprávy Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine

04/07/2025

Great news for all researchers and academics! 💡 The deadline for abstract submission has been extended. Now you can upload your abstract until September 1, 2025. 🌟

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION ➔ https://cancermeeting.cz

04/07/2025

🔬 July 2–4, 2025, our researchers gathered for the Annual IMTM REACTOR conference — an inspiring meeting in the heart of nature. 🌿 A day full of scientific discussions, sharing ideas across labs, and planning future collaborations in molecular and translational medicine.

And after the science? Relaxing walks and wellness time to recharge for new discoveries ahead. 💡✨

Download the abstract book 2025 ➡ https://imtm.cz/news/scientists-recharge-and-collaborate-9th-imtm-reactor-conference-2025

27/06/2025

We really enjoyed those moments at Festival Slunovrat! 🌞 Thank you all who came — your questions and kind company made it so special! 😊

17/06/2025

Congratulations to Milan Urban on his appointment as professor! 👏🔬

At a ceremonial event in Prague’s historic Carolinum, newly appointed professors of Czech universities received their official appointment decrees from the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, and Minister of Education Mikuláš Bek. Among them were several distinguished figures affiliated with Palacký University Olomouc — including Milan Urban. 🌟

Professor Milan Urban has been researching the medicinal chemistry of natural compounds with anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects since 2012, teaching and conducting research at both the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science at Palacký University. He is also actively involved in the activities of the National Institute for Cancer Research. His main goal is to guide promising compounds toward real-world applications while uncovering their mechanisms of action at the molecular level. 🧪

More info ➡ https://imtm.cz/news/congratulations-milan-urban-his-appointment-professor

16/06/2025

💡PERMED: T2BA Consortium & Scientific Board Meeting at IMTM

On June 12-13, 2025, IMTM hosted the PERMED: T2BA Consortium Meeting alongside the T2BA Scientific Board Meeting (NCC Council). The aim of the PerMed T2BA initiative is to develop personalized diagnostic tools and targeted therapies tailored to specific patient groups. This important gathering brought together leading experts to discuss progress, share insights, and strengthen collaboration in the field of precision medicine.

09/06/2025

Genetics in the Spotlight: From solving crimes to predicting cancer
🧬 Jadrná věda Stage, Slunovrat Festival 2025
📅 Friday, June 20, 2025 | 🕔 5:00 PM
📲 Reserve your spot in the Slunovrat app

Genetics helps doctors and patients — but also detectives, courts, crime victims, the wrongly accused, or single mothers. It’s all about decoding DNA and interpreting it correctly.

Professor Jiří Drábek, head of the Oncogenetics and Forensic Genetics group in Olomouc, is developing cutting-edge methods for both cancer diagnostics and criminal investigations. Whether it’s cancer or a criminal, he’s always on the case.

Dr. Josef Srovnal focuses on liquid biopsies — a less invasive way to analyze tumors via blood samples. His work includes genetic diagnostics of cancer syndromes and rare inherited diseases.

See you there! 👋

Genetika v hlavní roli: Pomocník při vyšetřování zločinů i v nástroj pro předpovídání rakoviny / Jadrná věda stage Festival Slunovrat 2025 - pátek 20. 6. 2025, 17:00 (možnost rezervace místa v apllikaci Slunovrat)

Genetika pomáhá lékařům a jejich pacientům, ale také policejním vyšetřovatelům, soudům, obětem trestných činů, nespravedlivě obviněným nebo svobodným matkám. Vždy jde o to vytěžit maximum informace z nukleové kyseliny DNA ve vzorku pacientovy tkáně nebo na místě trestného činu a správně ji interpretovat.

Opavský rodák profesor Jiří Drábek vede výzkumnou Skupinu onkogenetiky a forenzní genetiky, také v Ústavu molekulární a translační medicíny LF UP a FN Olomouc, který je součástí Národního ústavu pro výzkum rakoviny. Testuje somatické mutace ve vzorcích bioptické nádorové tkáně a vyvíjí nové genetické metody pro kriminalisty. Ať už jde o zločince, nebo rakovinu, je jim neustále na stopě.

Jedním z hlavních témat doktora Josefa Srovnala, vedoucího výzkumné skupiny Genomika a cirkulující biomarkery v Ústavu molekulární a translační medicíny LF UP a FN Olomouc, který je součástí Národního ústavu pro výzkum rakoviny, jsou tzv. tekuté biopsie. Na rozdíl od klasické biopsie, která vyžaduje odběr vzorku nádorové tkáně a může být pro pacienta značně zatěžující, tekutá biopsie umožňuje analýzu molekulární charakteristiky nádoru prostřednictvím biomarkerů získaných z běžného odběru krve. Josef Srovnal se ve své praxi věnuje genetické diagnostice nádorových syndromů a vzácných geneticky podmíněných onemocnění.

Moderují Jelena Lenka Příplatová a David Černý

06/06/2025

☢️ NUCLEAR MEDICINE - Assoc. Prof. Miloš Petřík is developing radiolabeled peptides that bind to receptors on tumor cells, enabling precise imaging using PET and SPECT. These same molecules also deliver a cytotoxic dose of radiation directly to the tumor, paving the way for targeted and less invasive radionuclide therapy. In the interview, he explains the principle of theranostics and shows how these innovations are advancing personalized cancer treatment. 💫

02/06/2025

💡 From 26 to 28 May 2025, early-stage researchers (ESRs) involved in the STRIKE project participated in the Summer School entitled Magnetic Nanocarriers - Synthesis, Functionalisation, and Biomedical Applications, hosted at the Regionální centrum pokročilých technologií a materiálů, Palacký University Olomouc.

More info ➡ https://imtm.cz/news/summer-school-within-strike-project-magnetic-2025

The event offered ESRs an intensive programme focused on the synthesis, functionalisation, and characterisation of magnetic nanomaterials and carbon-based nanomaterials, including their derivatives. Particular emphasis was placed on advanced characterisation techniques, such as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and a range of molecular spectroscopy methods. These included Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS), and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS). A big thank you to all speakers, organisers, and attendees for making this event a success! 🤝🧲🧬