AppliedandCellular Biotechnologies
The research group connects microbial biotechnology, materials chemistry, biospectroscopic methods, molecular biology and cell techniques. It focuses on the cultivation of microorganisms, the production of biomass and metabolites, the valorisation of waste materials and the development of advanced biopolymer materials with verified biological effects.
An important part of the research is the characterisation of microorganisms, biomass and bioactive substances, the development of probiotics and controlled-release materials, and the evaluation of bioactivity, biocompatibility and safety. The group emphasises interdisciplinary cooperation, links with the application sphere, international collaboration and the training of young researchers.
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Research team
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Research focus
- Biotechnological production of bioplastics based on polyhydroxyalkanoates, enzymes, provitamins, carotenoids and other metabolites, including enriched microbial biomass.
- Valorisation of waste substrates from the food industry, agriculture and other production sectors.
- Purification, extraction and isolation of biomolecules and biopolymers from natural materials, including molecular characterisation of their structure using modern instrumental techniques.
- Cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms and algae.
- Involvement of selected metabolites in the stress response of microorganisms.
- Physiology of microorganisms and its regulation.
- Monitoring and optimisation of biotechnological processes, including transfer to industrial scale (up-scale, down-scale).
- Isolation and identification of industrially applicable microorganisms from natural sources.
- Use of extremophilic microorganisms in biotechnology.
- Application of advanced techniques for analysing the viability of microbial cells.
- Preparation, characterisation and application of micro/nanofibres and micro/nanoparticles from biomaterials and the use of these products.
- Use of microorganisms for biodegradation processes.
- Determination of antimicrobial effects of natural substances on test microorganisms.
- Determination of potential toxic effects of natural substances and nanomaterials on human cells (cytotoxicity) and cellular systems (e.g. DNA/genotoxicity) in order to assess the safety of their use.
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Selected projects
- GA25-15806S – Biocompatible and flexible scaffolds with bio-origin
- Idestimulering NMBU 1650026225 – FUNCHITOMED
- MATFONDAVTALE, project Nº. 301834 – BYPROVALUE
- FW01010649 – Research and development of a new generation of incontinence aids
- Biotechnological process for the processing and valorisation of waste glycerol using carotenogenic yeasts
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Selected publications
- LANGOVÁ, D.; CÓRDOBA, M. A. M.; SORRECHIA, R.; HOOVÁ, J.; SVOBODA, Z.; MIKULÍKOVÁ, R.; CORREA, M. A.; PIETRO, R. C. L. R.; MÁROVÁ, I. Achyrocline satureioides Hydroalcoholic Extract as a Hypoallergenic Antimicrobial Substitute of Natural Origin for Commonly Used Preservatives in Cosmetic Emulsions. Plants, 2023, 12(10). DOI: 10.3390/plants12102027
- KOVALCIK, A. et al. Properties and structure of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) filaments for fused deposition modelling. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021, 183, s. 880–889. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.04.183; WOS:000675752200006
- VOSTREJS, P. et al. Biobased antimicrobial coatings: Layer-by-layer assemblies based on natural polyphenols. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2025, 7(6), s. 3601–3610. DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.4c03681; WOS:001445707500001
- KOVALCIK, A. et al. Conformal polypyrrole biointerfaces on porous PHA monoliths via oxidative chemical vapor deposition. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2026, 261, 115417. DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2026.115417; WOS:001669659500001
- DZURICKÁ, L.; HOOVÁ, J.; DRIBNÁKOVÁ, B.; SKOUMALOVÁ, P.; RAPPELLI, P.; MÁROVÁ, I. Nanostructures dual-delivery systems with antioxidant and synergistic approach for targeted dermal treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025, 26(19), Article Nr. 9485. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26199485
- DZURENDOVA, S. et al. Vibrational spectroscopy methodology for profiling of mixed carbon metabolism in carotenogenic and oleaginous Mucor circinelloides. Microbial Cell Factories, 2025, 24(1), 245. DOI: 10.1186/s12934-025-02868-w
- DZURENDOVA, S. et al. Raman spectroscopy online monitoring of biomass production, intracellular metabolites and carbon substrates during submerged fermentation of oleaginous and carotenogenic microorganisms. Microbial Cell Factories, 2023, 22(1), 261. DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02268-y
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Patents and utility models
- MÁROVÁ, I.; OBRUČA, S.; PŘIKRYL, R.; Brno University of Technology: Method for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) on an oil substrate. 304183, patent. (2013)
- OBRUČA, S.; PERNICOVÁ, I.; KUČERA, D.; NOVÁČKOVÁ, I.; SEDLÁČEK, P.; Brno University of Technology, Brno, CZ: Method for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates using an isolate of the thermophilic bacterial strain Aneurinibacillus sp. H1. 308626, patent. (2021)
- MÁROVÁ, I.; KUNDRÁT, V.; Brno University of Technology: Method for dissolving biodegradable polyesters. 308735, patent. (2021)
- MÁROVÁ, I.; POSPÍŠIL, L.; KUNDRÁT, V.; Brno University of Technology: Polymer fibre and method of its preparation. 306448, patent. (2016)
- HÁRONIKOVÁ, A.; MÁROVÁ, I.; KOSTOVOVÁ, I.; Brno University of Technology: Dry biomass of the carotenogenic yeast strain C.capitatum CCY10-1-2 for feed purposes. 28679, utility model. (2015)
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Collaboration and contract research opportunities
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Design and development of biotechnological processes
a) Selection of a suitable microbial producer and optimisation of media composition.
b) Application of waste substrates and circular economy principles.
c) Optimisation of already established processes. - Comprehensive analysis of microbial samples.
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Standard analyses of biological matrices:
a) Vitamins and provitamins – vitamins B, C, A, D, E, K, carotenoids, sterols, etc.
b) Phenolic compounds
c) Lipids – comprehensive analysis, total lipid content, fatty acid profile, SFA/MUFA/PUFA composition.
d) Carbohydrates – analysis of mono- and oligosaccharides, determination of β- and α-glucans.
e) Proteins. - Testing of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
- Testing of samples on human cell lines.
- Design of cosmetic formulations containing natural substances.
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Design and development of biotechnological processes
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