Ph.D. defence of Radim Jaroušek and Martin Šindelář

Two of our colleagues successfully defended their PhD theses this October, marking an important milestone in their scientific careers.

Radim Jaroušek focused on the regulation and pharmacological targeting of membrane-bound adenylyl cyclases (tmACs), key enzymes involved in cellular signaling through cyclic AMP. His research combined structural bioinformatics, chemical synthesis, and single-cell transcriptomics to uncover new mechanisms of tmAC regulation. He identified cholesterol derivatives and tailored forskolin analogues as potential isoform-selective modulators, particularly of AC7, which plays a crucial role in immune cell signaling. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of how structural differences among tmAC isoforms can be exploited for targeted drug development.

Martin Šindelář investigated the enzymatic degradation and physiological fate of hyaluronan (HA), a polysaccharide with growing applications in health and nutrition. His dissertation revealed that orally administered HA is not absorbed intact but is metabolized by specific gut microbes, notably Bacteroides species. By combining microbial genomics, metabolomics, and in vivo studies, he demonstrated that the beneficial effects of HA are mediated by its microbial breakdown products rather than by systemic absorption. His work deepens our understanding of host–microbiota interactions in HA metabolism.

We warmly congratulate both new PhD graduates on their excellent work and wish them continued success in their scientific endeavors.