New Doctor in Ruzek Lab!
At the end of October 2024, we proudly celebrated the success of Mgr. Jiří Holoubek, who defended his PhD thesis titled "Tick-borne Encephalitis – New Insights into Virus Biology and Therapy" at the Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, MUNI. His work, under the guidance of Prof. Daniel Růžek and Doc. Luděk Eyer, represents a significant contribution to the understanding of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and potential therapeutic avenues.
Jiří's thesis is grounded in three first-author publications. His first study explored secondary RNA structures in the TBE virus genome and their interactions with molecules that could potentially form a new class of antivirals. The second study focused on the mechanism of porphyrins, compounds that inactivate viral particles, which hold promise for use as antivirals and as agents in the next generation of vaccines. His recent study delves into differences in flavivirus maturation processes between mosquito- and tick-borne viruses, shedding light on structural changes that impact infectivity.
These findings come at a critical time, as cases of TBE in humans and animals are on the rise in the Czech Republic and across the EU. Despite the availability of vaccines, there is a pressing need for targeted therapies—a goal that Jiří’s research brings closer by enhancing our understanding of TBE virus biology.
We are also excited to share that Jiří is currently seeking a postdoctoral position abroad to broaden his expertise in virology. We congratulate him on his achievements and wish him success as he continues to advance his career and make impactful contributions to virology research!
