Pharmacology

PhD Thesis Topic:

Determination of the effect of natural anxiolytic substances on cytochrome P450 activity

Supervisor: doc. PharmDr. Ondřej Zendulka, Ph.D.

Doctoral study program: Pharmacology
Form: doctoral (present)
Department: The 1st Department of Neurology, St. Anne´s Univ. Hospital and Faculty of Medicine

Annotation: Natural substances and phytotherapeutic dietary supplements are often perceived by patients as a safer alternative or complement to treatment with synthetic drugs. However, unlike pharmaceuticals, these substances have not been systematically studied due to possible drug interactions. This dissertation will focus on compounds that have been shown to have anxiolytic effects, at least in in vivo animal models, and will investigate their effects on clinically relevant cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes are among the most important in the biotransformation of drugs and alteration of their activity is a common mechanism of drug interaction. It is known that some natural products can also induce changes in the activity of these enzymes, resulting in ineffectiveness or increased toxicity of concomitantly administered drugs. For selected natural products, the student will comprehensively evaluate their potential for drug interactions at the cytochrome P450 level using appropriate models involving both human and animal enzymes.

Funding of the research: No link to a grant project, 0,1 – 0,3 FTE (by agreement with the head of the department) + scholarship + full support in applying for other sources of funding (Brno PhD talent, travel grants, individual research projects etc.).

Position requirements: Completed university degree in natural sciences

Requirements for the student according to the Disciplinary Board: The minimum publication activity of a student within the study is 1 first-authored publication with an IF value above the median of the field or 2 first-authored publications in journals with an IF value in the 3rd quartile of the field (Q3). Successful completion of the programme also requires a minimum of 1 month of work experience abroad, which is an integral part of the programme. Students will also participate in pharmacology teaching as part of their studies. Excellent English language skills are required.

Information about supervisor: doc. PharmDr. Ondřej Zendulka, Ph.D.
https://www.muni.cz/en/people/167123-ondrej-zendulka
Publication activity: 41 publications
H-index in WOS: 8
Participation in grant projects: 3