Photodynamic therapy:
Research on this topic is aimed on the experimental oncology. Photodynamic therapy with hypericin (HY-PDT) is a part of several research projects that focus on non-caspase signaling in programmed cell death induced by HY-PDT, role of ABC transport systems induction/modulation in the effectiveness of different chemotherapeutic agents and the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors on the efficacy of HY-PDT. Research on the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) is focused on the molecular characterization EpoR in cancer but also in normal human cells, with focus on the exact location of EpoR, an analysis of its features and description of EpoR isotypes.
Development of the spinal cord
Research is focused on development of nervous system using histological and immunohistochemical methods and electron microscopy. Using rat as our animal model we investigate developmental processes which include production, migration and reciprocal interactions between distinct neuronal and glial cell types in developing spinal cord and adjacent structures during the second half of embryonic development, first weeks of postnatal life and in the adulthood. Another goal of our research is to characterize various aspects of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine administration to the two most frequently used animal species in neurobiological research (laboratory rat and laboratory mouse).
Cell culture laboratory
This laboratory is used for work with primary cell cultures and the implemetation of particular experiments. Laminar flow boxes, CO2 incubators, light-irradiation device for hypericin activation and basic equipment for work with cell cultures is placed here.
Molecular biology laboratory
This laboratory is dedicated for molecular methods such as PCR, Western blot, chip capillary electrophoresis and is also equipped with devices for detection of absorbance, fluorescence and chemiluminiscence.
Analytical cytometry laboratory
This laboratory is equipped with flow cytometer BD FACSCalibur and cell sorter BD FACSAria IISORP that are capable of multiparametric fluorescent analysis of events (mostly the cells) prepared in suspension and/or their sorting into separate subpopulations based on arbitrary combination of analysed parameters. This approach can be used to identify and isolate rare elements such as stem cells, malignant or non-malignant cells etc.
The laboratory is also equipped with fluorescent microscope DMI 6000B (Leica) with micromanipulator and live cell imaging chamber and also with laser scanning confolcal microscope Leica TCS SP5 X, which is designed for three-dimensional microscopic analysis of static or dynamic, time-lapsed processes within the cells with optional flurescent spectral analysis. Structural changes of cells or their organelles, subcellular localisation of proteins, physiological parameters such as pH, mitochondrial membrane potential, Ca2+ level and many others are the standard applications for these instruments.
Immunohistochemical laboratory
Equipment in this laboratory facilitates immunohistochemical examinations and it serves for processing the tissue fort light, wide field or confocal microscopy. Tissue is sliced using microtome or cryotome and the lab is also equipped with light microscope, camera and software for morphologic analyses.
Plastination laboratory
Plastination laboratory serves for preparation of plastinated specimens for education and for research. The laboratory is equipped wit fixation systems, dehydration and impregnation unit and curing chamber.
Basic experimental equipment – see gallery
Unique laboratory apparatus
