Laboratory for Evolutionary and Ecological Immunology












            ******************************************************************************************

            *
            ******************************************************************************************
            "We study genetics of evolutionary adaptations in immunity leading to animal disease resis






            ******************************************************************************************
            * Offer

            ******************************************************************************************
            We are open to a wide spectrum of collaboration with partners from applied research, indus

            and non-profit organisations.

            - Expertise in the field of evolutionary adaptations in vertebrate immunity

            - Highly qualified and enthusiastic human resources
            - Genetic, bioinformatic and immunological analyses of biological data and samples
            - Experience with animal field research (wildlife and veterinary research)






            ******************************************************************************************
            * Requirements

            ******************************************************************************************
            - Access to publicly relevant host-pathogen systems
            - New complementary technologies

            - Access to animals or biological samples
            - Novel methods in genetics, bioinformatics, cell and tissue culturing, immunophenotype de
            health monitoring






            ******************************************************************************************
            * Know-how & Technologies

            ******************************************************************************************
            Our aim is to investigate the association between genotype and environment in forming the 
            in health and disease.


            - Genetic mapping of interspecific and intraspecific variability in immune-related genes (
            recognition receptors – TLRs, antimicrobial peptides)

            - Investigation of natural selection acting on individual genetic variants (including pred
            protein functional changes in response to pathogen-mediated selective pressures)
            - Comparative immunology: characterisation of avian inflammation and identification of cyt

            responsible for modulation of inflammation in birds
            - Disentangling associations between the genotype, gene expression, immunophenotype, healt
            in natural avian populations and domestic breeds






            ******************************************************************************************
            * Main Capabilities

            ******************************************************************************************
            - Molecular genetics and bioinformatics
            - Avian cell biology techniques (mainly focused on innate immunity) and methods of avian h

            - Functional immunological testing in vivo and in vitro (e.g. inflammatory immune responsi
            of antimicrobial peptides)




            *=========================================================================================

            * Fields of Research
            *=========================================================================================
            Agriculture | Animal breeding | Biomedicine | Biotechnology | Nature protection | Veterina






            ******************************************************************************************
            * Key Research Equipment

            ******************************************************************************************
            - Fully equipped laboratory for molecular genetics (including cyclers, real-time PCR instr
            sequencing systems, etc.)

            - Cell and tissue culture laboratory
            - Luminometry, photometry and fluorometry (Varioskan Flash Multimode Reader)
            - Flow cytometry (LSR II)

            - Microscopic facility
            - Genomic sample biobank






            ******************************************************************************************
            * Achievements
            ******************************************************************************************

            Publications in respected international journals with high impact factors: Frontiers in Im
            Science of the Total Environment | Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology | Scientific 
            Functional Ecology | Journal of Evolutionary Biology | BMC Evolutionary Biology | Developm

            Comparative Immunology | Animal Behaviour | Genetics Selection Evolution





            ******************************************************************************************

            * Main Recent Projects
            ******************************************************************************************
            - 2018–2020: Vinkler M.: Impact of neuroinflammation on brain development and learning in 

            advanced birds. Charles University, grant No. PRIMUS/17/SCI/12
            - 2012–2014: Pattern recognition receptor allelic diversity in domestic chicken breeds (Th
            Foundation, grant No. P502/12/P179)

            - 2015–2017: Biology of ageing: mechanisms and patterns of senescence in free-living birds
            Science Foundation, grant No. P506/15-11782S)


            Participation in four other projects funded by the Czech Science Foundation, five projects
            Charles University Grant Agency and one project funded by the Grant Agency of the Academy 
            the Czech Republic






            ******************************************************************************************
            * Partners and Collaborations

            ******************************************************************************************



            *=========================================================================================
            * Academic Partners
            *=========================================================================================

            Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Brno, Czech Re
            University (Brno, Czech Republic) | Czech University of Life Sciences (Praha, Czech Republ
            Institute, University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, UK) | University of Cambridge (Cambridge, U

            National de la Recherche Agronomique (Jouy-en-Josas, France) | University of Oslo (Oslo, N
            Tech (Blacksburg, USA) | Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech
            Czech Republic) | Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Rep

            Czech Republic) | Pirbright Institute (Pirbright, UK)

            "Our research can contribute to improvements in biomedicine and biotechnology and is trans

            into applied practice in agriculture, veterinary science and nature protection."





            ******************************************************************************************

            * Are you interested in this expertise?
            ******************************************************************************************
            Please contact CPPT UK

            Web: www.cppt.cuni.cz/ [ URL "https://cppt.cuni.cz/"]
            Mail: transfer@cuni.cz
            Phone: +420 224 491 255






            ******************************************************************************************

            * Experts and their department
            ******************************************************************************************
            RNDr. Michal vinkler, Ph.D.

            Department of Zoology