The expert jury of scientific and investor representatives awarded the research on luminous enzymes second place. 28 technologies were entered into the competition, 12 of which made it to the final round.
Scientists from the Loschmidt Laboratories at RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, and the International Clinical Research Centre at St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno are working on the project Luciferase Reporter System with Extremely Stable Bioluminescence Signal.
Luciferases are glowing enzymes, typical of fireflies, for example. In their award-winning research, our scientists have succeeded in creating an artificial enzyme that glows much longer and more stable than the natural one. This enzyme will help to improve diagnosis, monitor certain diseases, and facilitate scientific research.
"The long-term vision of this research is not only to improve non-invasive biological imaging and diagnostics, but also to translate luminescence for practical applications - for example in photodynamic therapy, in the form of luminous plants or trees, and more recently, bioluminescent systems are also gaining popularity in art and architecture," explained research team members Daniel Pluskal and Martin Marek.
The invention of the scientists from the Faculty of Science of MU is protected by an international patent application, the filing of which was secured in cooperation with the MU Technology Transfer Office.
Scientist Luděk Sehnal, a successful applicant for several prestigious scholarships for which he and his family traveled the world, is finishing his work in Germany and plans to return to RECETOX. He wishes to pass on his experience and support the development of excellent science in the Czech Republic.
This June, the 20th-anniversary of summer school and training within the PARC project on chemical exposure and modeling will occur at RECETOX. Remember to register by April 28 via the form.
