Read a selection of the best achievements in science and research at our faculty during the first month of spring.
Achievments
The CONSCIOUS II educational project, carried out at the Department of Pharmacology, ranked among the 36 best projects in the Czech Republic in the field of international education and was among the top 6 projects in the Flexibility and Innovation category at the DZS Awards 2025. The awards were presented at a ceremony on March 18, 2026, at the National House in Vinohrady, Prague. Ladislav Dušek, Head of the Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, was honoured by the Association of Social Service Providers of the Czech Republic for his long-term contribution to the development of social services in the Czech Republic. Since 2019, he and his colleagues from the IBA have been working on the ELFis (End of Life Care Information System) project, which aims to optimise social, health, and palliative care services.
SCIENCE INTO PRACTICE
Brain Awareness Week saw record attendance. Lectures on neurosurgery, neurology, and psychiatry attracted both the general public and students, presenting the latest trends in brain research, including the impact of artificial intelligence. The festival is part of the international public awareness campaign Brain Awareness Week. In the Czech Republic, the 27th edition was held under the auspices of the Czech Academy of Sciences. In recent years, our faculty has also been working closely with university hospitals. Over the course of four days, it offered ten lectures, followed on Friday, March 13, by a thematic program at CEITEC, where interested participants could also take part in laboratory tours.
article of the month
The authors published an article focusing on fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1). This naturally occurring protein can lower blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells and is therefore a promising candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, its clinical application has so far been limited by adverse effects associated with strong stimulation of cell proliferation. The authors therefore focused on developing modified FGF1 variants with reduced proliferative activity. Through targeted modifications that affect the protein’s binding to cellular receptors and heparan sulfate, combined with enhanced stability, they successfully generated two promising variants. Laboratory experiments demonstrated a markedly reduced ability to promote cell proliferation while maintaining effective glucose-lowering activity in an animal model of diabetes, without the risk of hypoglycemia or weight gain. An additional significant advantage is their increased stability and improved behaviour in vivo, which are key attributes for the development of safe and effective therapeutics. The study thus represents an important step toward a new generation of protein-based drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
med muni in media
In March, experts from many scientific fields appeared in the media. Czech Radio aired an interview about research into sepsis and its long-term effects on the immune system, as well as endometriosis, Czech Television offered guidance on how to maintain mental well-being in today’s world, which is plagued by war, environmental anxiety, and fear of the future, while CNN Prima News reported that researchers from our faculty participated in testing a unique probiotic nanonit. You can find an overview of all media coverage of our faculty here.
let´s introduce
Pavel Krejčí’s Cell Signaling research group focuses on studying the molecular mechanisms of FGFR3 fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling. This signalling pathway plays a key role in the development of skeletal dysplasias, including hypochondroplasia, achondroplasia, thanatophoric dysplasia, and SADDAN syndrome. The team is engaged in analysing the composition of signaling complexes and identifying cellular effectors in chondrocytes, as well as the mechanisms of cell differentiation regulation mediated by FGFR3. A significant portion of the research is also dedicated to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies, such as FGFR3 inhibitors or therapies based on C-natriuretic peptide (CNP). These projects lead to intensive collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and help develop new treatment options for patients with genetic disorders of bone growth.
interesting events
What can you look forward to in April? For example, another Research Breakfast event, featuring a meeting with Fulbright scholar Marci Lobel. In May, we’ll be hosting Research Day, a showcase of the best research from our faculty. You can find an overview of all events in the Event Calendar.
stetoskop podcast
In March, the Stetoskop podcast continued with two episodes from the series Lessons in Psychiatry. Doctors from the Psychiatric Clinic at Brno University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University spoke with our editor about managing stress, and in the final installment of this series, they discussed supervision as an effective tool for preventing burnout.
another news
Everything that's happening in science and research at our university. Read about interesting events and the achievements of our scientists and researchers in January.
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Do you have a new publication, project, or award to share? Do you know someone who has achieved something noteworthy? Write to us at research@med.muni.cz.
The main objective of the ERASMUS+ SENSITISE project is to develop a comprehensive curriculum to increase awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical trials. The project seeks to support the participation of underrepresented groups in clinical research, thereby improving the quality, generalisability, and transferability of research outcomes.
Here is our April roundup of news and achievements from the world of science and research.
