The Laboratory of Growth Regulators (LGR) was established in 1996 as a joint facility of the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Science of Palacký University. The purpose of the LGR is to conduct research in the field of molecular and physiological mechanisms of the action of growth regulators in living organisms and to develop the necessary technology. The LGR focuses on scientific research and teaching in the field of Experimental Biology, especially on the preparation of new growth regulators with potent biological activities, on the development of relevant analytical methods, and on the study of functions and effects on the growth and developmental process in cells, tissues, and whole organisms, including the development of drugs derived from plant hormones. Research into genes, the mechanisms that regulate their expression, and the development of mutant organisms with controlled gene expression are also included in the LGR’s scientific profile.

Researchers at the LGR work mainly with cytokinins (CKs), but recently they have also worked with other groups of plant growth regulators. The phytohormones cytokinins promote cell division, or cytokinesis, in plant roots and shoots. They are involved primarily in cell growth and differentiation but they also affect apical dominance, axillary bud growth, and leaf senescence. These hormones are present in very low concentrations in plant cells. One globally renowned contribution of the LGR in this field is the expansion of a number of CKs, especially the aromatic CK topolins and their anti-tumour derivatives. Olomoucine was the first in a line of anti-tumor agents derived from cytokinins. Development of other, more effective inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases, key enzymes of cell division cycle like bohemine, roscovitine, olomoucine II and others followed. Roscovitine was licensed by Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.cyclacel.com) and under its commercial name, Seliciclib®, is undergoing phase II clinical trials for the treatment of Cushing disease in the USA.

However, the development of anti-cancer drugs is not the only field that the LGR deals with. We also developed a product which makes the skin youthful aids in the treatment of skin diseases. Cytokinins, which also retard ageing in humans, were used in this development and licensed to the American company Pyratine Plc (www.pyratine.com) in the USA. The product under the trade name Pyratine® was introduced onto the market in 2010. This not only treats skin roughness, wrinkles, and pigmentation, but is also effective for treating various forms of acne.

The LGR has also been successful in agricultural research. For example, we discovered how to increase the amount of endogenous cytokinins using an inhibitor of cytokinin degradation called INCYDE. The application of this compound can increase the yield of a number of agricultural crops and improve plant stress resistance. Another biostimulant MTU primarily prevents the breakdown of chlorophyll and increases its content in the leaves. The UK-based company IntraCrop (www.intracrop.co.uk) combines the substance MTU with the natural biostimulant pidolic acid in the product Status®. This approach offers complementary modes of action to increase plant response by combining effects of MTU on photosynthesis and pidolic acid on nitrogen assimilation. In normal conditions, Status increases green leaf retention and improves nutrient use efficiency, resulting in higher yield and quality. Under stressed conditions, Status protects the photosynthetic apparatus and improves plant resilience, resulting in quicker stress recovery and yield protection.

During the last decade, the Laboratory of Growth Regulators has become one of the most publication-active teams of both the IEB and UP. Research groups publish in prestigious international journals and annually submit a number of national and international patent applications. LGR also cooperates in these fields with a number of research groups in the Czech Republic as well as abroad. Our multidisciplinary research team is composed of experienced plant physiologists and biochemists, as well as organic and analytical chemists. Many students are involved in the research during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Experimental Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Botany, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. Members of the laboratory give lectures in, for example, general botany, plant physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and molecular biology, etc.

LGR guarantees the teaching for biological study programs “Experimental Biology” and “Plant Experimental Biology”, including fully established bachelor, master and doctoral courses. These degree programmes cover rapidly developing biological and medicinal disciplines, with a strong focus on practical applications. They equip students with broad biological knowledge combined with a clear focus on modern experimental methods and approaches in biology and biomedicine. Graduates acquire the expertise, technical competence and experimental skills required for subsequent in the fields of fundamental and applied research, biological and medicinal laboratories, food and pharmaceutical industries, sanitation, agriculture and biotechnological companies. The students are also equipped to work not only as independent scientists or research workers, but also as leaders of scientific and management teams. The “Experimental Biology” master study programme includes all the specialised courses required to equip graduates with the laboratory skills and methodological expertise required (according to act N. 96/2004 Sb.) for employment in medical facilities.