Laboratory of Antibiotic Resistance and Microbial Metabolomics - Mikrobiologický ústav AV ČR, v. v. i.

Biology and chemistry of microorganism

Kameník & Balíková Novotná Lab

Our main area of focus is on the metabolites produced by various microorganisms, investigating their biosynthesis and functions. With two teams located in the Krč campus in Prague and in Biocev in Vestec, we are deepening our understanding of the microbial world through rigorous research and collaboration. Join us in exploring the exciting world of microorganisms!

What’s new?

10. 12. 2024

Adam Kraml, a high school student, joined our lab for hands-on internship

Focus of research

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Biosynthesis

Metabolomics

Resistance to Antibiotics

CluSeek

Biosynthesis

Microorganisms produce a broad spectrum of remarkable metabolites that we utilize as antibiotics, immunosuppressants, or anticancer drugs. We work on uncovering their biosynthesis, i.e., how bacteria make these complex molecules. Using state-of-the-art techniques of genetic engineering, enzymology, organic synthesis, and analytical chemistry, we aim to come up with novel more efficient antibiotics or other drug-leads.

Metabolomics

We have set up a platform for metabolomics, which aims to characterize a complex picture of small organic molecules in a sample. Together with information from other OMICS approaches, it enhances our understanding of living systems. Our strategy is based on recently developed computational tools and mass spectrometry technique, employing the recently acquired state-of-the-art TimsTOF instrument with ion mobility.

Resistance to Antibiotics

Resistance to current antibiotics is becoming global public health threat. We collaborate with Czech hospitals to get insight into one of the most problematic resistance mechanisms: methylation of ribosome. This research also revealed how microorganisms communicate with each other using natural antibiotics.

CluSeek is a universal tool that searches for diverse types of gene clusters, making it a valuable resource for researchers across a variety of biological fields.