Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics

The program is a product of the fusion of former independent Molecular and Cellular Biology with General and Molecular Genetics. We propose the fusion to reflect modern holistic approaches dominating in both fields that converge them to close proximity and bring benefits to both of them. The aim of the program is to provide excellent scientific education in the field of molecular and cell biology and genetics. The graduates thus should be proficient to accomplish research of the nature of living phenomena on molecular, cellular, tissue and organismal levels. To achieve this aim, students are systematically guided to advance their theoretical knowledge in the field and master practical skills in applications of modern methods of molecular and cellular biology, genetics and other related fields. The key themes include the study of genes and genomes and their expression in microorganisms, plants, animals and humans. Special attention is paid to their relations to pathological conditions. Research performed on microorganisms is focused preferentially on molecular diagnosis and genomics of selected pathogenic and clinically significant bacterial strains and their interactions with bacteriophages. Research on plants is concentrated mainly on the study of genes of model plants and plants used in agriculture. In animals and humans, research is focused on the genetical structure of populations, molecular diagnosis of prenatal and postnatal pathogenic situations, genetics of tumours, the study of signalling processes connected with the regulation of proliferation, differentiation and programmed cell death in tumour cells and detection of genetical factors associated with certain polygenic diseases. Students are free to perform independent research in well-equipped laboratories and experienced supervisors are nominated to guide them in this effort. Students are continuously confronted with progress in the field by discussions in regular laboratory meetings, institutional seminars or conferences. Successful conference presentations or published articles are awarded by a special stipend.

“Windows of the living cell universe wide-opened.”

Practical training

The students who are interested in applied research can collaborate with companies as Repromeda (assisted reproduction), MB Pharma (devising phage preparations) or to participate in grant projects funded by TACR leading to applied outcomes. We aim to further support contractual research with applied potential, search for suitable partners and provide them with option to collaborate with students interested in this kind of research.

Further information

Additional information can be found in following addresses:

Graduates find positions in various research institutes, universities, hospitals and other medical facilities and laboratories oriented to virology, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, pathology, etc. They are ready to perform independent research, draft scientific projects, create grant applications, experimental work itself, including rigorous interpretations of results and presentations in oral as well as written forms. They are also educated to act as teachers. Graduates from this program are sought-after by employers and many of them currently work on positions of leading researchers, university teachers, top managers and directors in various research and education institutions in the Czech Republic. Many graduates leaves for postdoctoral stays abroad, especially to westeuropean countries, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia. They often become highly-appreciated members of research teams there.

More information about admission process for international applicants in general can be found in the section Admission Process.

Date of the entrance exam
The applicants will receive information about the entrance exam by e-mail usually at least 10 days before the exam.
Please, always check your e-mails, including spam folders.

Conditions of admission
To be admitted, a candidate must obtain a total of 70 out of 100 points in the expert knowledge part and 60 out of 100 points in the language part.
Successful applicants are informed of their acceptance by e-mail and subsequently receive an invitation to the enrolment.

Programme capacity
The capacity of a given programme is not fixed; students are admitted based on a decision by the Doctoral Board after assessing their aptitude for study and motivation.