Newsletter and Internal information 4/2025
10 Apr 2025, 13:42  |  Čeština

RECETOX Newsletter 4/2025

Internal information

RECETOX Events for Schools and the Publi

Dear colleagues,
We would like to remind you that if you are planning an event for schools or the public under RECETOX (e.g., excursion, science lecture, or participation in a fair), please contact Rozárka Jílková (rozarka.jilkova@recetox.muni.cz) in advance. She will ensure the necessary steps within Open Access, provide you with an attendance sheet, and will gladly assist you with the event itself if needed.
Thank you for your cooperation!

Events

Bike to Work

"Bike to Work" combines the joy of movement, care for health, and respect for the environment.
Just like last year, we are happy to support this initiative again.
We will cover the registration fee for the first two five-member teams that sign up.

Please send your registration details to: sabina.vojtechova@recetox.muni.cz

The MOOC online course: 'Atmospheric Research Infrastructures: Sharing the future of our atmosphere' !

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that the second edition of the online course (MOOC) "Atmospheric Research Infrastructures: Sharing the Future of Our Atmosphere" will start on May 12, 2025.

In this course, you will learn to:

  • assess the importance and benefits of atmospheric research,

  • describe different methods of atmospheric monitoring,

  • summarize the goals and structure of three Research Infrastructures (RIs): ACTRIS, IAGOS, and ICOS,

  • explain how an atmospheric RI works,

  • independently access and process data from these three RIs.

Registration is now open!

Sign Up&Course Details HERE.

Other Information

PhD opportunity at METU in a EU funded project

Middle East Technical University (METU) Bioprocess Engineering Research Group (BioERG) provides PhD positions with a unique opportunity to work within an international, interdisciplinary research network funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. The candidates will benefit from excellent research facilities, international collaborations, and specialized training in environmental biotechnology.
More information HERE.

RECETOX News

The EU has published reports on progress towards achieving zero pollution

The European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) have released the second Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report along with the fourth Air Quality Outlook Report. These documents provide a comprehensive overview of the EU’s progress towards achieving the ambitious zero pollution targets set for 2030. The RECETOX Centre, as a member of the Action Plan Stakeholder Platform, contributes to achieving these goals with its expertise.

Read article HERE.

People understand that air pollution needs to be addressed, but they often don’t realize that the problem affects them as well, says environmental epidemiologist Ondřej Mikeš

Ondřej Mikeš works at the RECETOX center as an environmental epidemiologist in the Human Exposure and Risk Assessment group, focusing on external exposures in epidemiological research. In the interview, he explains what air pollution research in Brno entails, how researchers communicate measurement results to politicians and the public, and why scientists are now trying to create a digital model of the entire city.

Read article HERE.

High levels of flame retardants found in Skoda car dust

In our daily lives, we are exposed to many chemicals that can have a negative impact on our health. Cars are unique indoor spaces that are often overlooked in terms of their contribution to human exposure to chemicals, and a recent RECETOX study published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment has found very high levels of flame retardants in Czech vehicles.

Read article HERE.
 

RECETOX Research Team Successfully Completes Project on Male Reproductive Toxicity Assessment Without Animal Testing

At the end of last year, the RECETOX center successfully completed a project funded by the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR) titled “Alternative Approaches in the Assessment of Male Reproductive Toxicity of Chemical Mixtures Without Animal Testing.” The project focused on potentially hazardous chemicals and their mixtures that can affect reproduction or reproductive health in men.

Read article HERE.

The European project focused on soil health assessment utilizes "citizen science" among other methods

The Soil Blitz sampling campaign, organized by the Soil Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Research Group at RECETOX in September 2024, has already produced results. During the campaign, members of the public in Brno carried out soil health surveys on their properties in the city. Participants were trained to become citizen scientists.

Read article HERE.

New study reveals how textiles trap harmful chemicals

The latest research of scientists from RECETOX, Masaryk University and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research reveals how various fabrics absorb and release harmful aromatic amines (AAs) compounds linked to cancer and other health risks.

Read article HERE.

Grant Office

Submitted projects

AZV
doc. RNDr. Petra Bořilová Linhartová, Ph.D., MBA (coPI) - Advanced tools for the investigation of bacterial and viral agents and their resistance to antimicrobials in the personalised care of children with otitis media

Elliott James Price, Ph.D. (coPI) - Targeting Gut Dysbiosis in Parkinson’s Disease: Exploring The Potential of Young Healthy Human Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Reducing Neuroinflammation and Neuroglial Senescence

Prof. MUDr. Martin Bobák, M.Sc., Ph.D. (coPI) - Development of GWAS based genetic risk scores for prediction of total and cardiovascular mortality in the Czech population

GACR

18 proposals were submitted, 15 STANDARDS projects:

  • Helge Hecht, Ph.D., M.Sc.; RNDr. Luděk Sehnal, Ph.D. in P 301 – Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Mgr. Peter Šebej, Ph.D.; Wudmir Yudy Rojas Verastegui in P 206 - Analytical Chemistry – Chemical and Structural Analysis of Atomic, Molecular and (Bio)Molecular Systems
  • prof. RNDr. Petr Klán, Ph.D.; prof. Ing. Vladimír Šindelář, Ph.D. in P207-Chemical and Biochemical Transformations
  • doc. Ing. Branislav Vrana, Ph.D. in P 209-Atmospheric Sciences, Hydrology, Physical Geography and Geophysics
  • doc. RNDr. Pavel Babica, Ph.D.; Mgr. Ondřej Adamovský; RNDr. Iva Sovadinová, Ph.D. in P503 - Food science, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Chemistry
  • doc. RNDr. Petra Bořilová Linhartová, Ph.D., MBA; doc. RNDr. Pavel Babica, Ph.D in P306 -Medical Sciences – Physiology and Biophysics, Pathology and Pathophysiology, Diagnostics and Therapy, Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Mgr. Albert Kšiňan, Ph.D. in P407-Psychology, Pedagogy, Kinanthropology

3 JUNIOR STAR projects:

  • Mgr. Albert Kšiňan, Ph.D in EX6 – Social Sciences
  • Helge Hecht, Ph.D., M.Sc in EX8 - Technical Sciences, Informatics
  • RNDr. Luděk Sehnal, Ph.D. in EX4 – Human Biology and Medical Sciences

New successful projects

Successful MSCA Doctoral Network - ELEGANCE
The European Commission has announced the results of the 2024 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks call. From 1,417 applications received, the Commission will fund a total of 149 excellent doctoral programmes with €608.6 million to train over 1,800 doctoral candidates in and outside academia in 133 standard Doctoral programmes, 8 Industrial Doctoral programmes and 8 Joint Doctoral programmes. Selected projects are coordinated by organisations in 18 countries and involve 9,335 organisations in 130 countries. Further information is available at the official MSCA website.

Among these outstanding proposals, we are thrilled to congratulate the Loschmidt Laboratories for the incredible success with their ELEGANCE project (Machine Learning for Integrated Multi-Parametric Enzyme and Bioprocess Design) which has achieved a perfect 100% evaluation score! This four-year project brings together 26 partners, including major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, to push the frontiers of protein design in Europe. The project is coordinated by the Technical University of Denmark with Dr. Stanislav Mazurenko leading the project at the Loschmidt Laboratories. Congratulations to all involved in the ELEGANCE project for this remarkable achievement!

Open calls

GACR

LA calls– USA, Germany, Austria – continuously calls

  • Luxembourg – deadline for Czech applicants 17.4.2025
  • Switzerland – deadline for Czech applicants 8.4. and 8. 10. 2025

MSMT - MOBILITY – France – documents RMU (deadline 29.5.2025)
MU – GAMU 2025: Horizons (continuously call)

If you are interested in submitting a project proposal please contact Mrs. Pavlína Dočkalová.

INTERREG

  • Austria - Czech Republic Cooperation Programme. More information on priorities available HERE. Deadline: 30.09.2029
  • Slovak Republic - Czech Republic Cooperation Programme. More details on programme documents can be found HERE.
  • Saxony - Czech Republic Cooperation Programme. More information on Priority 2: Climate change and sustainability is available HERE. Deadline: 20.05.2025
  • INTERREG EUROPE Cooperation Programme. More information about topics and the program area is available HERE.
  • Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Program for transnational cooperation. More information available HERE. List of regions is HERE.

If you are interested in submitting an INTERREG project proposal please contact Šárka Palátová and Eva Kuklínková

European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Postdoctoral Fellowships with applications accepted throughout the year (next cut-off date on 11 July 2025). For further funding opportunities see EMBO Fellowships, grants and career support.

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowships for Overseas Researchers with the deadline on 28 April 2025.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – Staff Exchanges with the deadline for submission of proposals on 8 October 2025. If you plan to apply or are interested in further information, contact Veronika Jálová.

Planned calls

Ministry of Agriculture

Země II (call announcement 16. 4. 2025) - research requirements

TACR
Prostředí pro život2 PP1 - preliminary parameters (call announcement 28. 5. 2025)
M-ERA.NET Call 2025 (deadline for pre-proposal 13. 5. 2025) – documents RMU
If you are interested in submitting a project proposal please contact Mrs. Pavlína Dočkalová.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF): The call is expected to open on 8 May 2025 with the deadline for submission of proposals on 10 September 2025. If you plan to apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship or are interested in further information, contact Veronika Jálová ASAP.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN): The call for MSCA-DN is expected to open on 28 May 2025 with the deadline for submission of proposals on 25 November 2025. Call info day organized by the European Commission will take place online on 24 June 2025.

Upcoming HE Calls – prerelease drafts
The upcoming collaborative Horizon Europe calls planned for 2025/26 have not yet been officially listed in the Funding & Tenders Portal. However, please contact the Grant Office for a list of preliminary calls if you are interested in Collaborative Actions.

Other news

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) 2025
Are you looking for funding for your postdoctoral stay? Or are you looking for a new postdoc for your research group? One of the Horizon Europe programmes – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – offers prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowships. The Postdoctoral Fellowships target researchers holding a PhD (maximum 8 years after obtaining PhD degree) who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills, gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors, and develop their careers. Researchers can apply for European Fellowships (12-24 months, to come to Europe or move within) or Global Fellowships (12-24 months in a third country + 12 months mandatory return phase in Europe). If you apply with MUNI (check if you comply with the mobility rule at the official MSCA-PF website), there are two other options for alternative funding of your research - ERA Fellowships and Operational Programme Johannes Amos Comenius managed by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. For further information or if you plan to apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, contact Veronika Jálová ASAP.
Call for MSCA-PF is expected to open on 8 May 2025 with the deadline for submission of proposals on 10 September 2025.

Support for MSCA-PF applicants:

1) RECETOX Grant Office (Veronika Jálová)

  • Explanation of MSCA-PF conditions and how it works
  • Providing information about the call, preparation and submission of the proposal
  • Help with building up the proposal considering all aspects of MSCA-PF
  • Individual consultations of proposals
  • Information and coordination of supporting activities at RECETOX/MUNI
  1. Grant Office at the MUNI Rectorate

MSCA-PF Training Day: 30 April 2025, 9:00-16:30, online. Registration here.

MSCA-PF Workshop: 29-30 May 2025, online. Registration will be open later.

Proposal consultations and reviews – applicants must send a draft of their proposal by 13 July 2025 and book a meeting no later than 30 June 2025 to coordinate the preparation process (applicant + supervisor + project coordinator (Veronika Jálová))

  1. Technology Centre Prague

MSCA-PF Information Day and Workshop for Applicants: 6-7 May 2025 (tbc)

NOTICE REGARDING TRAVEL ORDERS
If your travel order is rejected before the trip, you must always create a new one with the required adjustments. A new number will be assigned to the latest travel order. The original rejected travel order will remain in the system until the economic department cancels it. When the rejected order is deleted from the system, you will receive an automatic message from INET informing you that your business trip has been cancelled. This notification only pertains to the previously rejected order. The new travel order, which has been approved, remains valid. You can check it in INET (INET MU: Travel forms). Therefore, you must not worry that your business trip has been cancelled.

 

Selected publications

Below you will find selected publications:

  • Tourinho, P. S., Hochmanová, Z., Kukučka, P., Jegede, O., Silva, V., Aparicio, V., & Hofman, J. (2025). Effects of realistic pesticide mixtures on the springtail Folsomia candida. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgaf057
  • Edebali, Ö., Goellner, A., Stiborek, M., Šimek, Z., Muz, M., Vrana, B., & Melymuk, L. (2025). Characterizing the distribution of aromatic amines between polyester, cotton, and wool textiles and air. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EM00015G
  • Pereira, P. C. G., Parente, C. E. T., Guida, Y., Capella, R., Carvalho, G. O., Karásková, P., Kohoutek, J., Pozo, K., Přibylová, P., Klánová, J., Torres, J. P. M., Dorneles, P. R., & Meire, R. O. (2025). Occurrence of current-use pesticides in sediment cores from lakes and peatlands in pristine mountain areas of Brazilian national parks. Environmental Pollution, 372, 126005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126005
  • Szaraz, D., Bohm, J., Cerulova, S., Bodokyova, L., Danek, Z., Machacek, C., & Borilova Linhartova, P. (2025). Bacterial genera in the fluids from apical periodontitis‐related radicular cysts: An observational study. International Endodontic Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.14220
  • Szaraz, D., Ksinan, A. J., Machacek, C., & Borilova Linhartova, P. (2025). Developmental odontogenic cysts with special focus on the occurrence of multiple cysts and syndromic association: a single-centre cross-sectional study from the Czech Republic. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 20(1), 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03623-5
  • Osredkar, J., Kumer, K., Godnov, U., Jekovec Vrhovšek, M., Vidova, V., Price, E. J., Javornik, T., Avguštin, G., & Fabjan, T. (2025). Urinary Metabolomic Profile in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(5), 2254. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052254

Newcomers at RECETOX

Dear collegues,
You can see an overview of our new team members HERE.
We welcome new colleagues to the center and wish them a lot of work success!

We are looking for new colleagues

Currently, we have these open vacancies:
We would be grateful for sharing them as well, or if you already know about a great candidate for one or few of the positions, feel free to recommend them to us by sending their CV to rcx-hr@recetox.muni.cz

Save the date

 

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Masaryk University

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