Research focus
Our research group focuses primarily on studying the biological and immunological effects of brassinosteroids (BRs) and other plant and animal steroids, as well as related compounds. We are deeply engaged in exploring the relationships between the structure of BRs and their biological activity. Our goal is to create a library of synthetically accessible BRs and their derivatives and predict their biological activity through molecular modeling using the crystal structure of the brassinosteroid receptor (BRI1). This predicted activity is then validated using bioassays: the second internode bioassay in beans, assays on etiolated pea plants, and a sensitive bioassay on Arabidopsis thaliana. In collaboration with international research groups, we also study the biosynthetic pathway of BRs in plants. We synthesize specific precursors of this pathway, examine their biological activity, and use LC-MS methods to analyze endogenous levels of these phytohormones in plants.
Additionally, we work on the development and validation of purification protocols and LC-MS detection methods for profiling steroid compounds in animal matrices (blood serum/plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, cell lines, and tumor tissues) in relation to various types of cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
Vedoucí výzkumného programu
Team members
- Michal Kaleta
- Hana Svobodová
- Petra Amakorová