Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine

24/04/2026

🔬 On April 23, 2026, we held an engaging seminar focused on modern approaches to cell health assessment and advanced in vitro analysis in both 2D and 3D culture systems.

Participants had the opportunity to explore the latest technologies for evaluating cell health, uncovering metabolic changes in cancer cells, label-free real-time cell monitoring, and high-content imaging for detailed cellular characterization.

More info ➡ https://imtm.cz/news/eastport-seminar-how-healthy-are-your-cells-tools-discovering-truth

A big thank you to all speakers and participants for the inspiring discussions and great atmosphere. 👏

23/04/2026

🌟 This year, IMTM was once again represented by Marián Hajdúch, Petr Džubák, Josef Srovnal, and Martin Mistrík at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026, taking place April 17–22 in San Diego.

The AACR 2026's theme, “Precision, Partnership, Purpose: Advancing Cancer Science to Save Lives Globally,” highlights the remarkable progress in cancer research and its growing impact on patients worldwide. Several NÚVR - Národní ústav pro výzkum rakoviny research groups, including teams from the Olomouc node, are also presenting their latest findings and contributing to international scientific collaboration in oncology research. 🧬

Our researchers actively participated in the conference by presenting their scientific posters:

Marián Hajdúch – Epidemiological study of lung cancer related to the anti-smoking interventions in the Czech Republic
Petr Džubák – High-content morphology identifies autophagy-modulating compounds and their off-target action
Josef Srovnal – Molecular profiling of diffuse gliomas via liquid biopsy: Insight from circulating tumor cells and ctDNA analysis
Martin Mistrík – Mechanism of mitochondria-independent cuproptosis

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

08/04/2026

🧬Genetic code: What can DNA reveal about us? 🔎

Why do some people develop cancer while others do not—and how much of that risk can we actually influence? In an interview with Marián Hajdúch, it emerges that only around 10% of cancers are hereditary, up to 40% are linked to lifestyle, and the rest is shaped by a combination of chance and natural biological processes within the body.

➡ https://imtm.cz/news/genetic-code-what-can-dna-reveal-about-us

Marián Hajdúch, Medical Director of NÚVR - Národní ústav pro výzkum rakoviny and the initiator and director of the CzechGenome project, explains how genetic analysis can aid not only in diagnosis but also in prevention and individual risk assessment.

05/04/2026

We wish you a peaceful Easter. May you have the same curiosity and enthusiasm in discovering new things as children have when searching for Easter eggs. 🐣🐰🧬

27/02/2026

On February 24, we hosted a special seminar dedicated to the MACSima™ System, an innovative imaging platform that connects high-parameter data with true spatial resolution. The presentation was delivered by Bernd Müller-Zülow, Executive Senior Expert in Imaging & Microscopy at Miltenyi Biotec. ✅

The MACSima platform offers fully automated ultra-high-content imaging based on cyclic immunofluorescence, enabling researchers to analyze hundreds of markers within a single tissue section or cell sample without damaging the specimen. This approach provides precise spatial insight into cell localization and interactions within complex tissue environments.

23/02/2026

The STRIKE consortium met in Segovia on 9–10 February 2026 for its 6th Progress Meeting, hosted by Nanotech Solutions SL. With the project entering its final year, partners shared advances in magnetic nanomaterials for osteosarcoma therapy, theranostics, and liquid biopsy technologies.

IMTM and Palacký University were represented by doc. RNDr. Václav Ranc, PhD, and Sunčica Sukur, MSc, who presented the most recent results and discussed remaining challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The meeting was followed by an international workshop on dynamical magnetisation in nanomaterials, where early-stage researchers combined theory, hands-on training, and poster sessions to explore the biomedical potential of magnetic nanoparticles. 🚀

https://imtm.cz/news/strike-consortium-convened-segovia-6th-progress-meeting

18/02/2026

Marian Hajduch, Medical Director of NÚVR - Národní ústav pro výzkum rakoviny:

“Despite all the difficulties, the Czech biomedical research infrastructure is very efficient – with relatively little funding it is able to produce results that stand up well in international comparison.”

💡 More in the new episode of the Medical Tribune CZ podcast, Second Opinion.
➡ www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl_dopi1S5k&t=2s

💉 Doc. Marian Hajduch, lékařský ředitel NÚVR: "Navzdory všem potížím je česká výzkumná biomedicínská infrastruktura velmi efektivní – za relativně málo peněz dokáže produkovat výsledky, které v mnohém snesou mezinárodní srovnání."
💡 Více v nové epizodě podcastu Medical Tribune CZ, 2. NÁZOR.
👉 LINK V KOMENTÁŘI
🤝 Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine

13/02/2026

Expert Meeting & Discussion: The Future of Diagnostics and Research 🔬

We invite you to an expert meeting focused on the latest trends in the diagnostics and research of rare diseases within the international RD-Factory programme. Leading Czech experts will share their insights, including Assoc. Prof. Marián Hajdúch, together with other distinguished specialists.

Discussion topics:
🔬 From variant to diagnosis: What are the current possibilities for identifying genetic causes of rare diseases? How the CzechGenome project accelerates and improves the interpretation of genetic findings. Genetic diagnostics of rare diseases.
🧪 RD-Factory: From research on pathogenic variants to an international drug development programme.
💊 The path to treatment: How do we select genes and diseases for preclinical research?

📅 25 February 2026
🕔 17:00–19:00
📍 Czech Academy of Sciences, Národní 3, Prague

The event is intended for professionals, students, patient organisations, and journalists. We look forward to meeting you and discussing the path from diagnosis to treatment. 🫶

05/02/2026

On World Cancer Day (February 4), NÚVR - Národní ústav pro výzkum rakoviny highlights the growing role of genomics in cancer prevention and targeted treatment. 🫶

Press release 👉 https://imtm.cz/news/world-cancer-day-genome-key-understanding-cancer

Through the CzechGenome project, the first open reference database of genetic variants in the Czech population is being built, improving the interpretation of hereditary cancer risks. Early results confirm that inherited predisposition accounts for around 5–10% of cancers—underscoring the importance of population-specific genomic data for more precise prevention and care.

03/02/2026

Marián Hajdúch explains how a potential cancer drug is developed, from an initial laboratory compound to an approved medicine. It outlines the key stages of the process, including basic research, preclinical testing, and multi-phase clinical trials in patients. 🔬

Watch the whole interview 👉 www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/1096902795-studio-6/226411010100203/cast/1166895/

The segment also highlights how long and demanding drug development is, the importance of safety and efficacy testing, and the role of regulatory authorities before a drug can be used in clinical practice. ✅

20/01/2026

According to doctors, dozens of cancer cases are missed every year because standard Pap smear tests fail to detect up to 30% of tumors. These tests often catch only later cell changes, not the root cause: HPV infection. ❗️

“HPV DNA tests are much more sensitive and detect cancer risk in over 95% of cases,” says Marián Hajdúch, Medical Director of the National Institute for Cancer Research NÚVR - Národní ústav pro výzkum rakoviny . “They can identify the disease much earlier, before cells start to change.”

Despite this, insurance currently covers HPV DNA testing only three times in a woman’s life. Many European countries already offer regular HPV testing from age 25. Why is the Czech system lagging behind? Read more in the article 👇👇👇

Změňme způsob, jakým u žen hledáme rakovinu děložního čípku. Je nevhodně nastavený, tvrdí lékař a vědec Marián Hajdúch.

19/01/2026

We are pleased to highlight the 4th Congress of Airway Diagnostics and Intervention (DIDC 2025), held with the support of EATRIS Czech Republic and featured within the EATRIS Spotlight Programme. 💫

DIDC 2025 took place on December 1–2, 2025, in Prague and served as an important platform connecting clinical practice, preventive approaches, and translational research in respiratory medicine. The congress brought together Czech and international expertise, with a strong focus on multi-omics, digital health, and personalised medicine within the EATRIS-CZ network.
More info ➡ www.plicnikongres.cz

Eatris