The IEM CAS welcomed the President and Vice-Presidents of the Czech Academy of Sciences

At the end of May, the IEM CAS welcomed the President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Radomír Pánek, together with Vice-Presidents Miroslava Anděrová and Ondřej Beránek. The visit provided an opportunity to present the IEM CAS’s latest achievements and to meet with researchers and other staff members across the Institute.

The programme began with a meeting between the Academy’s leadership and the management of IEM CAS. Discussions focused on the Institute’s ongoing development, long-term strategy, expansion of research infrastructure, support for early-career researchers, and the opportunities and challenges facing Czech biomedical research in the years ahead.

The visit continued with a guided tour of selected facilities. Accompanied by the Institute’s veterinarian, Andrej Litvinec, the guests visited the new modular laboratory animal facility, one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the Czech Republic. Its state-of-the-art technological infrastructure provides excellent conditions for both specialist personnel and laboratory animals, enabling the conduct of demanding biomedical studies while maintaining the highest standards of laboratory animal care and welfare.

The delegation then visited the Microscopy Service Centre, where the Femtonics FEMTO3D Atlas super-resolution microscope was presented. This unique instrument enables advanced real-time imaging of living cells and tissues with exceptional spatial and temporal resolution. It allows researchers to observe dynamic biological processes as they occur and to gain detailed insights into the function of cells, neural networks, and other complex biological structures.

The next stop was the Department of Neuroregeneration, where the visitors were introduced to the Incucyte Live-Cell Analysis System. This platform enables long-term automated monitoring of living cells directly within an incubator without interrupting the experimental process. It provides valuable data on cell growth, migration, differentiation, and cellular responses to tested compounds.

The final scientific stop was the Department of Neurochemistry. Scientists presented their current projects focused on the function of the nervous system and showcased specialised equipment used for electrophysiological studies of ion channels and glutamate receptors. These molecules play a crucial role in neuronal signalling, and their dysfunction has been linked to a range of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.

The visit culminated in a meeting with researchers and other members of the IEM CAS. During his lecture, Radomír Pánek, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, presented the Academy’s current organisational structure, strategic priorities, budgetary situation, and vision for the future development of Czech science. His presentation was followed by an open discussion, during which participants had the opportunity to exchange views on research funding, science policy, support for excellence, international competitiveness, and the future direction of the CAS.