Head: doc. RNDr. Jozef Hritz, Ph.D.
The Hritz group focuses on understanding the molecular mechanics of neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on protein misfolding and aggregation that drive pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Tau and α-Synuclein Pathologies: The group investigates the structural and functional dynamics of tau and α-synuclein—two hallmark proteins implicated in neurodegeneration. Their aggregation into insoluble fibrils is a defining feature of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia.
Post-Translational Modifications & Protein Interactions: Special attention is given to phosphorylation events and their role in modulating protein behavior. The interaction of phosphorylated tau with regulatory proteins such as 14-3-3 is a key area of study, shedding light on how cellular signaling pathways influence aggregation propensity.
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Methodology Overview:
Structural Biology Tools: The group employs high-resolution techniques like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) to visualize protein conformations and fibril architecture at atomic detail.
Protein Engineering & Labeling: Expertise in protein expression and purification enables the production of isotopically labeled proteins, including 19-F labeling for sensitive NMR detection and fluorescent labeling for real-time tracking of protein dynamics via fluorimetry.
Computational Modeling: Advanced molecular dynamics simulations, including enhanced sampling techniques, are used to explore conformational landscapes and predict interaction hotspots that may drive pathological transitions.
Junior researcher:
Iveta Haraštová
Postdoc:
Hana Nedozrálová
Leon Paul Jenner
LabTech:
Kateřina Králová
PhD candidates:
Aneta Kozeleková
Thomas Peter Fellmeth
Vojtěch Vařečka
Pavle Križan
Lucia Iľkovičová
Grad. students:
Jana Novotná
Eliška Pirnosová
Romana Halová
Lucia Mišániová
Undergrads students:
Viktória Kubišová
Terézia Jurašková
Ondřej Kutý
SOČ student:
Vilém Heger
Doc. Hritz's most significant grant success to date can be considered his leadership of the project "Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostics Innovation and Translation to Clinical Practice in Central Europe (ADDIT-CE)" (addit-ce.ceitec.cz; Horizon Europe, 2023–2026), which was successful in the highly competitive European Excellence Hubs call. Doc. Hritz is the main coordinator and researcher for CEITEC MU.
The project connects academic institutions, clinics, biotechnology companies, and patient organizations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is based on the finding that pathological changes in the brain occur more than ten years before the first clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease appear. ADDIT-CE therefore characterizes early molecular changes in detail with the aim of diagnosing them at the earliest stages, possibly even before symptoms appear. These innovative approaches are also being tested directly on clinical samples.
We are a multidisciplinary research team composed of scientists and students from diverse backgrounds—including Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Neuroscience. Our work focuses on the complex mechanisms of protein aggregation and neurodegeneration, approaching these challenges from many different perspectives. We offer various research opportunities and a collaborative environment for students at all levels of study, so if you are interested in working on your student project with us, do not hesitate to contact us.
Currently, there are no open PhD positions. If you are interested in our research, contact us.
Currently, there are no open postdoc positions. If you are interested in our research, contact us.
Total number of publications: 38
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY, year: 2026, volume: 170, edition: March, DOI
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY, year: 2026, volume: 63, edition: 352, DOI
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES, year: 2025, volume: 330, edition: November, DOI
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, year: 2025, volume: 305, edition: 2, DOI
The FEBS Journal, year: 2025, volume: 292, edition: 8, DOI
ACS Agricultural Science and Technology, year: 2025, volume: 5, edition: 6, DOI
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, year: 2024, volume: 63, edition: 49, DOI
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES, year: 2024, volume: 266, edition: Pt 2, DOI
Luminescence, year: 2024, volume: 39, edition: 12, DOI
Acta Neuropathologica Communications, year: 2024, volume: 12, edition: 1, DOI
Gabor Nagy (postdoc)
Jana Pavlíková-Přecechtělová (postdoc)
Tadeja Gao (postdoc) - postdoc in Brno and Australia
Vojtěch Zapletal (PhD)
Petr Louša (PhD) - data specialist in company in Prague
Zuzana Trošanová/Otoupalíková (PhD) - grant support/administration in Brno
Krishnendu Bera (PhD) - postdoc in Trieste (IT) and Bristol (UK)
Gytis Kučinskas (PhD) - ministry of health (LT)
Alena Hofrová (PhD) - biotech company in Brno
Veronika Weisová (Mgr) - biotech company in Brno
Hana Zigová (Mgr)
Ján Tungli (Mgr) - PhD student in Brno
Erik Župa (Mgr) - Phd student in Heidelberg (DE), postdoc in Princenton (USA)
Tomáš Brom (Mgr) - PhD student in Brno
Markéta Makovická/Váňová (Mgr) - biotech company in Brno
Norbert Gašparik (Mgr) - IT company in Brno
Katarína Monková/Červená (Mgr) - PhD student in Brno
Radek Crha (Mgr) - PhD student in Vienna (AT)
Alexandra Náplavová (Mgr) - PhD student in Aarhus (DK)
Jan Šimek (Mgr) - PhD student in Prague
Karin Ravaszová (Mgr) - PhD student in Prague
Viliam Volko (Mgr) - PhD student in Brno
Tomi Greňa (Mgr) - PhD student in Munich (DE)
Jaroslav Straník (Mgr) - PhD student in Prague
Miriama Mateášová (Mgr) - chemistry teacher
