TIP
November 2024 in Science at our faculty
We bring you a selection of the most interesting things in science and research at our faculty in November.
Two Major Research Awards for Pavel Krejčí
Head of the research group at the Institute of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Pavel Krejčí received two major awards for his research in October. The Czech Health Research Council recognized his project as the most successful in the agency’s 10-year history, and he was awarded the Academic Prize by the Czech Academy of Sciences.
Pavel Krejčí leads the Cell Signaling research group at the Institute of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University. For a long time, he has focused on researching the complex mechanisms through which fibroblast growth factor (FGF) acts in the body. FGF plays a key role in cell growth and development, but its dysfunction can lead to serious disorders. Krejčí and his research team focus on cases where mutations in the FGFR3 gene cause various skeletal disorders, including hypochondroplasia, achondroplasia, thanatophoric dysplasia, and SADDAN syndrome. Their research aims to understand better how these mutations affect signaling pathways, which could potentially contribute to developing new treatments for these rare diseases. The project "Identification of New Treatment Options for Achondroplasia," representing a major advancement in treating this genetically determined growth disorder, was recognised by the Czech Health Research Council as the best project in the agency's ten-year history.
In October 2024, he also received an Academic Award from the Czech Academy of Sciences, where he is affiliated with the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, to support further research into cellular communication mechanisms across eight sub-projects. These include the development of new treatments for growth disorders. Krejčí may draw up to CZK 30 million over the next six years, covering research expenses, salaries, and equipment purchases.
Pavel Krejčí also established a clinical registry for achondroplasia patients and contributed to developing medications for individuals with this disorder. The first has been available to children in the Czech Republic since 2022. Another drug is currently undergoing clinical trials in Japan.
