BIOSKETCH AND RESEARCH INTERESTS

My passion for understanding biological phenomena led me to obtain a PhD degree in Ecological and Evolutionary Biology at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, under the supervision of Martin Kašný. I focused on the molecular communication between platyhelminth parasites and their fish hosts, mainly on the interaction of specific parasite molecules with the host's immune system. Here I acquired skills in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology and proteomics. Currently, I am using multigene DNA analysis to identify species of enchytraeids and other soil-dwelling annelids to resolve their taxonomy and phylogeny. I am also interested in protein substances present in the venoms of prey-specialised spiders and the mechanism of their action.