Introduction
EATRIS-CZ (open in a new window) is an abbreviation for European Advanced Translational Research Infrastructure in Medicine. It is one of the largest research infrastructures in the Czech Republic and involves the leading biomedical research and development centres. EATRIS provides access to a wide range of preclinical and clinical expertise and facilities.
The focus of IEM in the EATRIS infrastructure is mainly, but not only in the domain of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). IEM has the expertise and technologies that enable to perform research and commercial projects of basic and applied research in the development of ATMPs. IEM is accredited for the work with genetically modified organisms (in the first and second risk categories), embryonic stem cells and for the use of experimental animals (mouse, rat, guinea pig). Animal models focus on spinal cord injury, stroke and cerebral ischemia, healing of skin, bone, cartilage and cornea defects, as well as models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Using the stem cells we aim to develop in vitro 3D models for drug testing and brain tumour research, as well as to study the role of exosomes in the regeneration of spinal cord injuries or in the microenvironment of gliomas. We are also developing diagnostic methods to determine the severity of spinal cord injuries in patients. We further focus on preparation of artificial tissues and nano/microfiber scaffolds for the targeted drug release, as well as their application for the regeneration of bone and cartilage in clinical practice. Another component of our research is the testing of nanomaterials and the evaluation of the potential negative effects of nanoparticles on human health using advanced molecular techniques. We also test nanoparticles, in combination with stem cells, for treatment of eye and skin injuries in experimental models.
Breeding of animals and experiments are conducted under conventional or IVC conditions. For these purposes, a new facility for breeding has been established. For the state-of-the-art analyses of the brain activity, cell morphology and spatial gene expression, new equipment, including a macroscopic system for imaging the activity of the cerebral cortex, a system for studying changes in cell morphology and their behaviour, an EEG system and a system for spatial gene expression analysis have been obtained.