24 May

Masaryk University Rector's Awards

On the occasion of the academic holiday Dies academicus, Masaryk University awarded several prizes. The Rector's Prize for the best students in doctoral programs was awarded to Dr. Martin Toul. Dr. Barbara Kubíčková received the Rector's Prize for an outstanding dissertation.

19 May

Professor Jiří Damborský received the Medal of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic

At its 24th General Assembly, the Learned Society of the Czech Republic awarded Medals for merit in the science development and prizes to distinguished scientists, educators, and talented university and high school students. Jiří Damborský, head of the Loschmidt Laboratories at the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University, was awarded for his contribution to the development of science.

10 May

Professor Jana Klánová received an honorary doctorate from the University of Örebro

Professor Jana Klánová, Director of the RECETOX Centre at the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University, was awarded an honorary doctorate (doctor honoris causa) at Örebro University in Sweden. On this occasion, she presented her research at a public lecture and discussed collaboration with several research teams.

14 Apr

Forever chemicals as a ticking time bomb for future generations?

PFAS, thousands of artificial fluorinated chemicals. And nature doesn't know how to deal with them. These substances never decompose; they remain permanently in the environment. They accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals. That's how they get into our food, meat, milk, and eggs. We drink PFAS with our water, and they rain down on us in rainwater. 

29 Mar

Meet our new Brno Ph.D. talents

On 21 March 2023, the most talented doctoral students in technical fields and natural sciences received the Brno Ph.D. Talent Award. Five talents are from RECETOX. Read about their projects and motivation to do science.

15 Mar

Vědcem už na střední škole

15 Feb

Student Aneta Vrzalová: I learn to see the world in context

Although many people imagined Aneta Vrzalová as a medical student, she preferred to study Environment and Health at the RECETOX research center, Faculty of Science, MUNI. And she has never regretted her decision.

1 Feb

The founder of RECETOX, Professor Ivan Holoubek, is Professor Emeritus

Professor Holoubek, one of the RECETOX Center's founders, was awarded honorary title Professor Emeritus by the rector Martin Bareš for his long-term contribution to science and research.

30 Jan

Press release: Masaryk University hosts World Health Organization Collaborating Centre

The World Health Organization (WHO) often requires expert, scientific and technical support from other institutions. And one of them is also the RECETOX research centre of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University!

25 Jan

RECETOX as an active participant of Czech Presidency

Six months. That is how long the Czech Republic was at the helm of the Council of the European Union (CZ PRES). And RECETOX experts were actively involved in international decision making on contemporary environmental issues within the second Czech Presidency.

2 Jan

Press Release: Lightning Revolution. The luminous enzyme "luciferase" could replace electric light bulbs

Scientists Martin Marek, Martin Toul, and Andrea Schenkmayerová from the Loschmidt Laboratories, RECETOX, Faculty of Science, MUNI have described an innovative and sustainable way to light up streets in the future.

20 Dec 2022

Jana Vašíčková: The larva of a black soldier fly is the ideal of sustainability. A fascinating insect that eats everything it comes across.

The larvae of a black soldier fly. A research topic that fascinated the scientist Jana Vašíčková so much that she began to study it in detail. Read an interview with Jana to find out if the larvae of a black soldier fly were her love at first sight and why they are "synonymous" for sustainability.

9 Dec 2022

RECETOX researchers receive MUNI Scientist award

The award MUNI Scientist for outstanding results in scientific work gained RECETOX scientists prof. Petr Klán and doc. Klára Hilscherová. They received the award from Vice-Rector Šárka Pospíšilová in the historical premises of the Augustinian Abbey.

5 Dec 2022

Environmental chemist Branislav Vrana: To the first conference, we drove in an old Skoda Felicia

Scientist Branislav Vrana wanted to become a professional brewer or winemaker, but in the end, he became an environmental chemist. Read the interview with Branislav Vrana - scientist, adventurer, and enthusiastic historian.

14 Nov 2022

RECETOX again involved in global assessment of toxic substances

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) has a new member. For the first time, the Czech Republic was represented by the RECETOX scientist Katarína Řiháčková at the international meeting on global regulation of toxic substances.

10 Nov 2022

Press release: MUNI held a scientific symposium in Brussels and founded an international think-tank

Masaryk University, in cooperation with the RECETOX research center, organized an international scientific symposium on current environmental and health crises.

24 Oct 2022

Scientist Michal Bittner: Fulbright stay in Texas was one big ride!

A year ago, Michal Bittner was awarded the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. He moved with his family to Texas, USA, for the one-year research stay. Read an interview with Michal about his life and research in the southern USA.

24 Oct 2022

State of the Environmental Health in Europe: Scientific Solutions to Global Crises

Join the scientific event organized on the occasion of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and discuss with prominent scientists. 

20 Oct 2022

Minister and European Union representatives spoke at the CELSPAC biobank's opening ceremony

The RECETOX Centre officially opened the CELSPAC biobank. The new facility allows scientists to study the effects of the environment on human health in even greater detail than before.

7 Oct 2022

Young RECETOX scientists shared their experiences at the first RETRAIN Retreat in Telč

RETRAIN Retreat - an informal meeting of young RECETOX scientists. Its main aim was to introduce the researchers to each other, share mutual experiences and discuss interdisciplinary collaboration at RECETOX.

6 Oct 2022

Young and old tried their hand at being environmental scientists at the Researchers' Night

The Researchers' Night was once again held in the buildings of scientific organizations and universities. On 30 September 2022, visitors came to Masaryk University to get first-hand experience of what it is like to be a researcher.

15 Sep 2022

CELSPAC "Meeting of Generations" at the Brno Science Festival

This year's Science Festival was unique for the RECETOX Research Centre. On Saturday, September 10, 2022, as part of the festival, CELSPAC population studies participants met in the Rotunda of the Brno Trade Center to celebrate three decades of scientific research.

6 Sep 2022

Press release: The (C)ELSPAC population study opens its fourth decade

The CELSPAC population study is celebrating its 30th anniversary at the Festival of Science - this deserves a big celebration!

10 Aug 2022

New graduate Anna Brichová: RECETOX is a heartbreaker.

Anna is a fresh master's graduate in Environment and Health. She completed her bachelor's degree in Hradec Králové, and her passion for science and the environment brought her to Brno. 

22 Jul 2022

Director of RECETOX speaks at a meeting of European ministers

Professor Jana Klánová, Director of the RECETOX Centre, joined the EU Competitiveness Council, entrusted with Europe’s research and innovation agenda, and shared with the Ministers her practical experience in effectively using financial instruments for science and research.

1 Jul 2022

RECETOX and Czech presidency in the EU Council

Do you know how RECETOX will participate in the second Czech Presidency in the EU Council?

28 Jun 2022

Field trip to Košetice

Bachelor's degree students in Environment and Health spent a week-long internship at the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute's observatory in Košetice in the Vysočina Region. They had an ideal opportunity to try the application of theoretical knowledge in practice.

21 Jun 2022

Conferences of the BRS Conventions: Two weeks, three conventions, and many decisions.

The Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Conventions) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, for the first time in three years. And representatives of the research center RECETOX were there too.

10 Jun 2022

Ludovic Mayer: Don’t be scared to go far for new experience.

Ludovic Mayer is originaly from France. He has studied a doctoral program in Environment and Health at RECETOX for over two years. For his research project, he received a prestigious Brno Ph.D. scholarship. Talent (2020 - 2021).

3 Jun 2022

Marina Grossi: Brno is a great place to live and do research.

Marina Grossi is a Ph.D. student of Environment and Health: she focuses on Environmental Chemistry. After finishing her master's degree in Brazil, she decided to study in Europe, and luckily, she found RECETOX.

26 May 2022

"Best Poster Award" at RECETOX doctoral conference

RECETOX organized a doctoral conference where current Ph.D. students presented their research projects. The authors of the best posters received the "Best Poster Award."

26 May 2022

Brno partner city representatives visited RECETOX

Brno partner city representatives visited the RECETOX premises. With the director Jana Klánová, they talked about the long-term collaboration between the RECETOX research center and the City of Brno.

23 May 2022

Director Jana Klánová spoke at the Velvet Innovation Meetup

The director of RECETOX Jana Klánová presented the concept of the Brno Living Lab at the informal meeting organized by the innovation agency JIC.

19 May 2022

Peter Lenárt receives MU Rector's Prize for outstanding dissertation

Dr. Peter Lenárt received the award for outstanding dissertation from the Rector of Masaryk University.

18 May 2022

European Union and safe chemicals

The representatives of RECETOX held their third high-level Round Table meeting. The topic of the international meeting was the European Union's chemical strategy and the Roundtable members' recommendations on tools for safe and sustainable chemicals.

13 May 2022

Press release: European partnership PARC aims to protect human health from the harmful effects of chemical substances.

RECETOX will actively participate in the European project PARC, which will focus on health risks arising from exposure to chemicals.

5 May 2022

Natálie Šelleová: I'm not a lab person, but I want to change legislation as a scientist

Student Natálie Šelleová works as an intern for the National Toxic Substances Center and wants to change environmental and health legislation one day.

5 May 2022

The consortium of EIRENE met in Vienna

The EIRENE sonsortium met in Vienna to discuss the next steps to build the research infrastructure EIRENE.

29 Apr 2022

Global environment and health challenges

RECETOX, in cooperation with the Learned Society of the Czech Republic and the Brno Observatory and Planetarium, is holding a panel discussion on Global Challenges in Environment and Health.

14 Apr 2022

Kurz CŽV - Kontaminace životního prostředí

13 Apr 2022

The study of Environment and Health? Yes!

RECETOX is the right choice for your master's! Five current and former students explain why.

12 Apr 2022

One step closer to the therapeutic use of carbon monoxide

The prestigious Journal of Organic Chemistry has published an article on the current work of Prof. Petr Klán and his team.

3 Apr 2022

Lucie Ráčková: Studying isolation and stress in Antarctica. Next stop, space?

As a member of a polar expedition, researcher Lucie Ráčková went to remote Antarctica to study the stress of polar explorers and collect research data for further research.

31 Mar 2022

Aneta Žáčková: From French to bioinformatic analysis

During the covid pandemic, she was looking for an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge she gained online in practice.

24 Mar 2022

RECETOX at the final HERA conference

The HERA - Health and Environment Research Agenda for Europe project is over. RECETOX represented the Czech Republic in the project and participated in defining critical areas for international research.

18 Mar 2022

Martin Toul: Stroke treatment can be considerably more effective

Martin Toul, Ph.D. student from the Loschmidt Laboratories of the Faculty of Science, RECETOX Centre, and FNUSA-ICRC, has discovered new ways for the development of effective stroke treatment.

10 Mar 2022

Paula Marcineková: Doctoral studies at RECETOX surpassed my expectations

Paula Marcineková is a Ph.D. student of Environment and Health; she focuses on Environmental Chemistry. After studying in the UK and university in Norway, Paula decided to do her Ph.D. at RECETOX.

4 Mar 2022

Scientist Julie Dobrovolná: Stress is not our enemy

Professor Julie Dobrovolná deals with stress in her scientific work. In the interview, you will learn why it is essential to study stress in Antarctica and also the difference between stress during a covid pandemic and war.

21 Feb 2022

I want to get to the bottom of things: Interview with a student Monika Kuncova

Monika Kuncová is a student of Environment and Health. In this interview, you will find out why RECETOX is the right choice.

16 Feb 2022

Experiments are fundamental to science and fun: Interview with a student Tomáš Janoš

Tomáš Janoš studies Environment and Health at RECETOX. Read why this subject is the right call for him.

9 Feb 2022

RECETOX supports the Stick to Science initiative

RECETOX supports the Stick to Science initiative, calling for open and bordelless collaboration between European research institutions.

3 Feb 2022

From studies at RECETOX to dream job in Düsseldorf, Germany: Interview with Dr. Eliška Kuchovská

Dr. Eliška Kuchovská completed her Ph.D. at RECETOX and is working at the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Germany. Read about her studies, work, or why not test on animals.

27 Jan 2022

A negative effect of the pandemic: millions in the UK drink harmful amounts of alcohol at home

Dr. Albert Kšiňan comments on an article by the British newspaper The Guardian on increased alcohol consumption during the coronavirus pandemic.

20 Jan 2022

Toxicologist working at RECETOX, Brno, gets scientific award from the King of Sweden: Interview with Dr. Sebastian Lungu-Mitea

Since November 2021, Sebastian Lungu-Mitea, toxicologist, has been a researcher at RECETOX.Read an interview with him about his scientific career and life in the Czech Republic.

21 Dec 2021

From research in Antarctica to discover new antibiotics: Interview with Dr. Ludek Sehnal about his polar expedition

Scientist Ludek Sehnal shared his experience from the polar expedition to Antarctica, which he joined in 2015.

16 Dec 2021

It's an opportunity: Interview with Dr. Jaromir Sobotka about doctoral studies

Newly graduated Dr. Jaromír Sobotka shared with us his experience from his doctoral studies at RECETOX.

10 Dec 2021

RECETOX at the annual meeting of the regional centers of the Stockholm and Basel Conventions

RECETOX participated in the annual meeting of the Stockholm and Basel Regional Centers directors to discuss ongoing projects and joint plans for the following year. 

25 Nov 2021

MUNI Scientist Award for three RECETOXˈs researchers

Branislav Vrana, David Bednar, and Vladimir Sindelar were awarded by Sarka Pospisilova, the Vice-rector for research and doctoral studies, at Masaryk University.

23 Nov 2021

Jana Klanova and Ivan Holoubek receive commemorative Gold Medal

Jana Klanova and Ivan Holoubek were awarded commemorative medals by Tomas Kasparovsky, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.

19 Nov 2021

Gabriela Ksinanova receives prestigious award at an international conference

Our researcher Gabriela Kšiňanová won the Ferenc Bojan Award for Young Researchers at the prestigious European Public Health Conference.

29 Sep 2021

INFERNO - how do chemicals affect the reproductive health of firefighters?

On September 1, 2021, Dr Jana Navrátilová, a postdoc at the Exposure and Health Risk Assessment group, began her two-year Marie Skłodowska-Curie Widening Fellowship (MSCA_WF) funded by the European Horizon 2020 program.

18 Aug 2021

The PROSECO prospective study shows the dynamics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Czech population

Scientists from Masaryk University's RECETOX research center have published data from the first large-scale population-based study on the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in the Czech population.

18 Aug 2021

A year in Texas on a Fulbright scholarship

Dr. Michal Bittner is moving to Baylor University in Texas for one year. What are his plans and expectations?

13 Aug 2021

RECETOX contributes to the evaluation of the Stockholm Convention

Dr. Kateřina Šebková personally participates at the third evaluation of the Stockholm Convention. How does it work and what are the outcomes of evaluation?

30 Jul 2021

Children’s birth weight is significantly related to their behavior at school age

Research of the connection between the birth weight of a child and its behavior at a younger school age, which was carried out by a team of scientists led by prof. Julie Dobrovolné, was published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.

8 Jul 2021

The EIRENE project coordinated by the Masaryk University to be included in the ESFRI Roadmap 2021

RECETOX became the first Czech coordinator of the ESFRI research infrastructure with our EIRENE project, which will be included in the ESFRI 2021 Roadmap

1 Jul 2021

An article on the development of a new protein engineering method is showcased in the editor's Highlights of the prestigious journal Nature Communications

The method was recently published in the esteemed journal Nature Communications, where it was featured on the Editor’s Highlights page, which showcases the 50 best papers recently published in an area.

16 Jun 2021

EU Zero Pollution Action Plan: are we on the right track?

On 12 May, the European Commission published the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan. Despite improvements in many areas, pollution still places a major burden on human health and the environment in the EU (fine dust pollution remains the most serious problem - both European and global).

31 May 2021

EU Green Week 2021 – Zero Pollution

May 31, 2021 marks the beginning of the EU Green Week. It is dedicated to the EU’s ‘zero pollution ambition’ as well as other relevant European Green Deal initiatives, such as the climate initiatives, the upcoming Chemicals Strategy, and initiatives in the energy, industry, mobility, agriculture, fisheries, health and biodiversity fields.  

22 May 2021

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants celebrates twenty years and the Czech Republic rejoices with it!

On 22 May 2021, the Stockholm Convention enters the third decade since its signature and it is appropriate to look back and ask: has this important international treaty proved successful in limiting the production and use of persistent organic pollutants, so-called POPs?

11 May 2021

New book on Chemical Products and Processes

Prof. Martin Scheringer is the co-author of the new book published by Springer in first quarter of 2021. 

7 May 2021

Julie Dobrovolná from RECETOX on measuring stress

Interview of Julie Dobrovolná on the topic of measuring stress for Radio Prague.

5 May 2021

The European Commission has set up a round table on the EU's chemical strategy and RECETOX is its member

The first High-Level Round Table on the EU Chemicals Strategy took place on 5 May. Kateřina Šebková, director of the Regional Center of the Stockholm Convention, took part on behalf of RECETOX.

14 Apr 2021

Lack of collaboration between science and politics is harming the planet

Interview with Martin Scheringer from RECETOX, on significant threats against which scientists are unable to warn politicians sufficiently.

11 Apr 2021

70th birthday of Professor Ivan Holoubek!

On April 11th 2021, Professor Ivan Holoubek, one of the founders of the RECETOX and an important personality in science, research and teaching in the field of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), celebrated his 70th birthday.

29 Mar 2021

Scientists developed a microfluidic platform that may contribute to the effectiveness of synthesizing pharmaceuticals or training artificial intelligence

The Loschmidt laboratories team at RECETOX (SCI MUNI) led by Prof. Zbynek Prokop, together with colleagues from ETH Zurich, recently developed a new microfluidic platform for rapidly and effectively investigating enzymes and their properties.

8 Mar 2021

Passive sampling as non-invasive monitoring of water quality

Foppe Smedes, a recognized member of the research group of Dr. Branislav Vrana at RECETOX, summarised 25 years of his research and experiences on passive sampling in the form of a dissertation thesis, which was recently defended at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. 

19 Feb 2021

SCIENCE has published a call from scientists to create a global intergovernmental science-policy body for chemicals and waste

1 Dec 2020

The RECETOX environmental database has worldwide use

What have RECETOX databases in common with remote sensing and Earth observation? To know more, please, read this article. 

2 Nov 2020

Opinion paper – EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil

RECETOX provided the feedback to the EC about its Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil

8 Oct 2020

Rector's Award for Jana Klánová

Among the recipients of the Rector's Award is the director of RECETOX, prof. Jana Klánová who will receive the award for her "Extraordinary Results in the International Grant Competition."

25 Sep 2020

Researchers support global management of plastic waste

The management of plastics and plastic waste is a global problem which requires extensive collaboration among several disciplines and different parts of the world to come up with adequate solutions to reduce the impact of plastics in the aquatic environment. 

23 Sep 2020

An extensive study will investigate the immune system's response to COVID-19

An extensive serological prospective study focusing on the presence of antibodies to COVID-19 is guaranteed by prof. MUDr. Vojtech Thon, Ph.D.

14 Sep 2020

RECETOX – short movie from TEAMING kick-off meeting

Check the movie, which has been taken during the kick-off meeting of the TEAMING project. It explains not only the focus of the project, but also of the RECETOX center.

14 Sep 2020

Julie Dobrovolná is one of the faces of the #EUwomen4future campaign

Julie Dobrovolná featured in the prestigious #EUwomen4future campaign aiming to celebrate women across the EU involved in the fields of science, education, culture, and sport.

2 Sep 2020

Consultations with the GMP DWH global users on its third update

The RECETOX organized online consultations with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) monitoring experts from around the globe facilitate their task in preparing the third regional reports under the Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention on POPs.

22 Jul 2020

Scientists and computer scientists have tested known drugs for a new coronavirus

Artificial intelligence helps in the fight against COVID-19 disease. Researchers at MUNI and FNUSA-ICRC used their own software to test several drugs that could block the virus.

18 Jul 2020

Confidence in vaccination depends on its safety, says an immunology professor. What should we not overlook?

Interview with prof. Vojtěch Thon on the issues of safe vaccination, immune system disorders and coronavirus.

8 Jul 2020

MUNI Epidemiological research bolstered by two prominent Czech scientists from University College London (UCL)

Thanks to a grant of 50 million crowns from the ERA Chair call, Martin Bobák and Hynek Pikhart from University College London will work at Masaryk University

18 Jun 2020

Julie Dobrovolná and Jakub Hofman: new professors at RECETOX

On Wednesday, June 17, the President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman signed the appointment decrees of new university professors. We are very pleased that among them are two representatives of the RECETOX Research center at Masaryk University.

9 Jun 2020

RECETOX Student Best Poster Award

On June 2, 2020, RECETOX announced the winners of the first "Best Poster Award" for the best poster presented at the new Ph.D. conference. 

7 Jun 2020

Martin Bobák: A person's health is most affected by his social background

20 May 2020

New EU strategies adopted

On 20 May 2020, the European Commission adopted a comprehensive new Biodiversity Strategy to bring nature back into our lives and a Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system. The two strategies are mutually reinforcing, bringing together nature, farmers, business and consumers for jointly working towards a competitively sustainable future.

26 Apr 2020

Toxic substances from the air, cosmetics and outdoor clothing. There is a unique laboratory from Brno

What research is taking place at the RECETOX at Masaryk University? Why is the center dedicated to this research and how important is it to cooperate with, for example, the city of Brno and the South Moravian Region? Read the article from Aktuálně.cz, where you will learn more.

20 Apr 2020

We don't have a cure, but we're definitely not without effective medication, says immunologist Vojtěch Thon

The immunologist's view of COVID-19, its spreadind and existing drugs that could help today. Read the interview for iDnes.cz with prof. Vojtěch Thon from RECETOX.

17 Jan 2020

Kick-off meeting of the CETOCOEN Excellence

On Thursday 16th of January 2020, the CETOCOEN Excellence project has been started. The partners met at the working meeting together with the representatives of European Commission and Research Executive Agency. 

16 Jan 2020

CETOCOEN Excellence project ceremonially launched

We launched the strategic TEAMING project, in which we will closely cooperate with our partners from UCL, ETH Zurich, BBMRI-ERIC and ICRC in the next seven years.

16 Jan 2020

RECETOX Lecture: Eran Bendavid

Prof. Eran Bendavid (Stanford University) gave the lecture on the topic "The effect of poor air quality on infant mortality" within the RECETOX Lecture series.

16 Dec 2019

John Paul Giesy received the honorary doctorate from MUNI

Prof.  John Paul Giesy received the honorary doctorate from the Masaryk University. 

28 Nov 2019

RECETOX is looking for volunteers: Investigation of the occurrence of pesticides in the human population

An international research project, in which RECETOX experts also participate, is to map and compare the situation in the Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungary, Netherlands and Spain.

18 Nov 2019

RECETOX seeks to hire a leading international scientist