ICRC researchers have received two prestigious awards

The autumn months brought great news to the ICRC, confirming the exceptional work of its researchers. Two prestigious awards were granted. Pavel Krejčí, head of the Cell Signaling team, received the Praemium Academiae 2024 award from the Czech Academy of Sciences, and Martin Marek, a researcher in the Protein Engineering team, was awarded the Rudolf Lukeš Prize.

At the end of October, Pavel Krejčí, head of the Cell Signaling team and researcher at the Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, received the prestigious Praemium Academiae 2024 award from the President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Eva Zažímalová.

The award comes with a generous prize, which Pavel Krejčí plans to use for further research into the mechanisms of cell communication across eight sub-projects. These include the development of new treatments for growth disorders and the creation of tools for precise manipulation of complex intercellular communication systems at the organism level.

Martin Marek, a researcher from the Protein Engineering team and the Loschmidt Laboratories at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, and the RECETOX center, was recognized for his significant contribution to bioorganic chemistry of marine luminescence.

Photo: Barbora Ráčková

Martin Marek focuses on protein catalysts responsible for light production in living organisms, known as bioluminescence. “We have clarified the chemical steps that are key in the bioluminescence process. We showed where and how the energy-rich molecule, called luciferin, binds to the enzyme molecule,” he explains.

By understanding these processes, researchers can fine-tune enzymes to make them shine longer or more intensely. In the future, this discovery could lead to biologically-friendly light sources with zero electricity consumption.

The Rudolf Lukeš Prize is awarded by the Czech Chemical Society in cooperation with the Experientia Foundation. Martin Marek will receive the award at the November conference “Advances in Organic, Bioorganic, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry – Liblice 2024.” The winner was chosen from a large pool of candidates by an independent international committee composed of world-renowned chemists.