23. 5. 2025
In June, three students successfully defended doctoral dissertations in the Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics, and Virology study program at the Faculty of Science, Charles University. The research was conducted at the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS under the supervision of our scientists.
Congratulations to our new PhDs!
Nabayoti Borah
Insights into mycobacterial transcription: From HelD-mediated RNA Polymerase recycling to novel transcription factors
Supervisor: Doc. Mgr. Libor Krásný, Ph.D., Laboratory of Microbial Genetics and Gene Expression IMIC
Anna Smirnova
Molecular principles of translation reinitiation in mammals
Supervisor: RNDr. Leoš Valášek, Ph.D., DSc., Laboratory of Regulation of Gene Expression IMIC
Kristína Jendruchová
Identification of critical factors determining post-termination decision programming
Supervisor: RNDr. Leoš Valášek, Ph.D., DSc., Laboratory of Regulation of Gene Expression IMIC
We asked Dr. Nabayoti Borah a few questions about his doctoral studies:
What do you appreciate?
The greatest thing about doing a PhD at IMIC is the friendly and supportive environment – especially in our lab led by Libor Krásný. When I first arrived, I was like a baby molecular biologist. Over time, I learned a range of molecular techniques, designed my own experiments, and matured into science guy.
One other valuable lesson I learned was the importance of asking questions in scientific discovery. We had regular lab meetings and also “Big Lab” meetings every two weeks, where labs from across the Krč campus working on RNA came together. These sessions were not just about presenting results – they were about exchanging ideas, receive constructive critique, and refine hypotheses. These discussions – and the follow-up experiments they inspired – were instrumental in shaping my approach to problem-solving. I also learned the value of collaboration. My PhD thesis was defended alongside a paper published in Nature Communications, where a structural biologist (Tomas Koval, BIOCEV) was joint first author. Beyond research, I gained experience in grant writing and successfully secured a GAUK grant from the Charles University Grant Agency.
All of this was possible because of the lab’s unique mix of warmth, collaborative spirit, and scientific focus. Doing a PhD far from home (I am from India, by the way) is never easy, but Krasny’s Lab – and MBU as a whole – made it feel like home.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Learn to enjoy the slow and messy bit of research – scientific discovery is a marathon, not a sprint. And yes, please eat healthy snacks.
Your plans for the future?
I’m currently working on a project I began during my PhD in the same lab. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue postdoctoral studies that will allow me to build on my current experience while exploring new scientific opportunities.
Photo: Nabayoti Borah
