12. 06. 2025
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Geneticist Klára Vokáčová from the IEM CAS has received the prestigious Otto Wichterle Award, which is presented annually by the Czech Academy of Sciences to highly talented scientists under the age of 35 who have achieved extraordinary results in their field.
Klára Vokáčová has long been involved in research into circulating biomarkers that could improve the possibilities for early diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Her research combines molecular biology, genetics, and oncology, contributing to the development of personalised medicine that allows treatment to be tailored to the individual needs of every patient.
During her undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Science of Charles University, she focused on researching microRNA in the plasma of patients with colorectal cancer. As part of her doctoral studies at the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, she gained a deeper understanding of molecular biology, genetics, and virology. Since 2015, she has been working in the IEM CAS at the Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, where she has identified two circulating microRNAs with predictive potential for evaluating the effectiveness of colorectal cancer treatment. Together with a team led by Veronika Vymetálková, she discovered specific mutations in free plasma DNA that have proven to be a valuable tool for non-invasive monitoring of chemotherapy effectiveness.
The Otto Wichterle Award ceremony was held at Villa Lanna in Prague. We would like to congratulate Klára and wish her much success in her further scientific career!
For the IEM CAS, this award is a confirmation of the quality of its long-term support for young scientists. In 2023, the Otto Wichterle Award was also received by neuroscientist Kristýna Kárová. This repeated success also demonstrates the high level of the scientific environment and research of the IEM CAS across disciplines.
