The research is focused on implementation of complex genomic analyses of the liquid biopsy (circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, extracellular vesicles, free circulating biomarkers) in the diagnosis, follow-up and therapy of cancer patients. The minimal invasiveness and repeated samplings of liquid biopsy provides accurate and actual information about the current extent of the disease, the effect of therapy or the disease recurrence, thus enabling targeted treatment at the right time. The group members were engaged in translational research in the field of liquid cancer biopsy for more than 15 years and established several diagnostic methods to predict dissemination and/or progression of human cancer.
Optimization of genomic methods in the cancer diagnostics using liquid biopsy. The methodological procedures are crucial for handling with small amount of biological material and need to be optimized. Especially, for analysis of circulating tumor cells and circulating free tumor DNA, the purification, amplification and library preparation steps seem to be fundamental for high quality results. Validation of novel circulating biomarkers. The main research area is identification and validation of novel diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers in cancer using non-invasive liquid biopsy. The Srovnal’s group is focused on both, circulating tumor cells and plasmatic biomarkers detection in colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer since 2005. Currently, the effect of opioid drugs on cancer dissemination is in the spotlight.
| Project: | New prognostic and predictive factors in solid tumors |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Srovnal Josef M.D., Ph.D., Hajdúch Marián M.D., Ph.D. |
| Available: | 2 |
| Intended for: | Doctoral training |
| Summary: |
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the western countries. Early diagnosis and targeted therapy improve the therapeutic outcome. With the emergence of new biotechnologies, diagnosis can be made early and precisely, and the knowledge of tumor molecular genetics can identify the most appropriate therapy for a particular patient. The sensitivity of modern molecular methods makes it possible to characterize the tumor properties from sites remote from the primary tumor using patient's blood. The subject of the offered study program is the identification of new prognostic and predictive biomarkers of cancer using liquid biopsies. This is particularly the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating free tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating miRNAs. The aim of the project is to further implement a liquid biopsy concept into the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of solid tumors, especially colorectal, breast, lung and CNS tumors. These include therapy response and resistance monitoring, identifying new therapeutic targets and estimating disease prognosis. The project will provide training in widely-used, transferable techniques, including circulation tumor cells capture system, digital droplet PCR, reverse-transcription qPCR, RNA-seq, single cell analyses, xenografts models and other multi-omics methods. We are looking for candidates with a background in Molecular Biology, Medicine, Cell Biology or a related area, who are enthusiastic about investigating novel approaches in cancer diagnostic that have significant potential for public health. |
| Project: | New prognostic and predictive factors in solid tumors |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Hajdúch Marián M.D., Ph.D., Srovnal Josef M.D., Ph.D. |
| Available: | 3 |
| Intended for: | Doctoral training |
| Summary: |
3 places in full-time or combined form of study |
| Project: | Diagnostics and therapy of rare diseases |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Hajdúch Marián M.D., Ph.D., Srovnal Josef M.D., Ph.D. |
| Available: | 2 |
| Intended for: | Doctoral training |
| Summary: |
2 places in full-time study |
