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13. Dec. 2024
Biophysicist Robert Vácha specializes in a rather unconventional field within the life sciences at CEITEC Masaryk University (MUNI) – he uses computer simulations to study interactions between proteins and cell membranes. In 2020, he was awarded a prestigious ERC grant that enables his research team to study and design so-called antimicrobial peptides that are capable of killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria and are also being tested for their effectiveness against cancer cells. He is currently looking for talented postdoctoral fellows and PhD students who are eager to join his team and contribute to cutting-edge research at an international level.
Robert, you focus on molecular mechanisms and primarily use computer simulations as your main tool. What are they good for?
Yes, computer simulations are our main tool, but we’re fully aware that the results need to be experimentally validated. So, what the simulations show us, we then test in our lab. This gives us quick feedback to see whether our models match reality.
This combination of simulations and experiments allow us to delve into vital processes in cells at the level of individual atoms, so computer simulations essentially work as an atomic microscope. The insights we gain are then used to design new drugs, treatments or biochemical tools. One of our most exciting projects is the developing antimicrobial peptides with exceptional properties that can help in cases where conventional antibiotics are no longer effective.
How did you get into the study of antimicrobial peptides?
During my doctoral studies, I began working on simulations of membranes that form the protective envelope of all living cells. While reviewing scientific literature, I came across special peptides that immediately caught my attention. I was fascinated by how diverse their modes of action can be – for example, disrupting cell membranes or influencing processes inside cells. At the same time, I was surprised by how little we understood about how they work and how their structure affects their behaviour. This motivated me to pursue this topic further during my postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge, where we developed a simplified model of these peptides. I later continued refining this model further during my time in Lund, Sweden, and used it after returning to the Czech Republic.
In 2020, I received an ERC Consolidator Grant, that allowed us to take our research a step further. Thanks to this grant, we can now study and design new antimicrobial peptides using a combination of computer simulations and fluorescence experiments. We've even managed to create the first peptides that are effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and even cancer cells. Initial tests on mice have been successful and confirmed their effectiveness, which is a huge step forward for us.
How do you see the field of protein interaction research evolving in the future?
The study of protein interactions is a fascinating dynamic field with enormous potential. Thanks to new technologies such as advanced microscopy, artificial intelligence or computer simulations, we can now explore molecular details in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. On the other hand, these interactions are incredibly complex. Protein complexes are constantly changing depending on the environment they are in, which makes studying them quite challenging. To better understand them, we need to combine different techniques and approaches. I believe there’s still a long road ahead, with much intensive research required before we can accurately describe how protein sequences influence their functions.
How do you collaborate with other research groups at Masaryk University?
The Masaryk University offers a broad range of expertise, and we always strive to collaborate with specialists in the specific area of each project. Besides working with colleagues at CEITEC, we collaborate most closely with the Faculty of Science – for example, with Vítězslav Bryja's group from the Institute of Experimental Biology or Kamil Paruch's team from the Institute of Chemistry. In the next phase of our research, we hope to extend our cooperation to the Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine, which would help us translate our findings into practical applications. In general, these collaborations allow us to share know-how and leverage diverse approaches, which is not only beneficial but essential for any research project.
In what other biological disciplines can your computer simulations be applied?
Computer simulations can be used in many biological disciplines. We mainly collaborate with structural biologists, molecular biologists, microbiologists, and virologists, who complement our findings with biological experiments. It is this interdisciplinary approach that I think is crucial – it links theoretical models with practical experiments, allowing us to better understand complex biological processes and come up with innovative solutions.
What opportunities do you offer to students and young researchers interested in joining your group?
Our group is open to all talented students and postdocs with an interest in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. Since we are a multidisciplinary team, we welcome people from various fields. Our group includes biophysicists, chemists, biochemists, physicists, and even computer scientists. It is this diversity that I think is a huge advantage because it allows us to approach problems from different perspectives.
For those who want to join us, we offer the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research, work with state-of-the-art technologies – including artificial intelligence, and thrive in an international environment. I want every member of the team to have the chance to grow professionally, so I encourage the team to participate in conferences and publish their results in high-impact journals. But beyond work, we also focus on team cohesion. We have regular meetings, but we also have lunches together where we discuss not just research but also other topics. My goal is to make working in our team not just a duty, but rather something that people enjoy and find fulfilling.
It's important to me that everyone feels like an equal part of the team. When we make decisions, everyone has an equal voice. I also emphasize not just scientific results, but also personal development of each member. Mentoring is a key part of my leadership approach – regular discussions and feedback are a given for me. In addition to project meetings, I also have individual meetings with each team member to discuss their goals, ideas or any challenges they’re facing. I want the group to be a place where people not only work but also feel comfortable and continue to grow.
Choosing someone new to join the research group is a big responsibility. What do you consider important in candidates?
Recommendations from the scientific community plays a big role for me. For example, one of our postdoctoral fellows joined us based on a recommendation from a former colleague at Cambridge who specializes in simulations of polymer and nanoparticles. At the time, he was interested in nanoparticles interacting with membranes, an area where we had considerable experience. A year after he completed an internship with us, I gave him a call and offered him a position in our research group. I already knew he would be a great asset to our research and that he would also fit in with the team on a personal level, which is something I consider just as important as having the potential to conduct high-quality science.
What do you consider essential for your research team to be successful?
For me, open communication within the team is absolutely essential, along with giving everyone the opportunity to share their ideas. I try to create an environment where everyone feels like part of a common goal and has the space to actively contribute. I really value openness, curiosity and teamwork. I think anyone wanting to join us should have a genuine passion for the field and be ready to tackle challenging scientific problems. Science isn’t just about creativity or clever ideas, it’s also about patience and perseverance. Sometimes it just doesn't go as fast as we’d like, and in those slower phases, it’s crucial to stay motivated and keep going.
As for resources, we’re fortunate to have state-of-the-art core facilities at CEITEC, and a powerful computer server room that provide everything we need for our work. In this respect, I really can't complain.
What are your plans for the future and how do you see your research group developing?
In the future, we plan to expand our research activities to study complex and asymmetric membranes that better resemble those in biological systems. Recently, we developed a method to experimentally prepare such membranes with precisely controlled composition. This is a significant breakthrough because it opens up opportunities to gain completely new insight into how these membranes behave. That’s one of the reasons we’re currently looking for new team members who would like to contribute to this research.
We also want to focus on studying membrane fusion, a process where two environments separated by a membrane merge. A typical example would be a lipid vesicle carrying a drug and a cell which the drug needs to be delivered.
Over time, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with industrial partners to translate our findings into practical applications, particularly in biotechnology and medicine. I see this as an area where our research has significant potential for real-world impact.
What would you say to students and young researchers considering a career in science, especially in your field?
The most important thing is to have a passion for discovery and not be afraid of challenges. It's also definitely helpful to have a positive attitude towards IT, because that's really a fundamental part of our field – everything else can be learned. I’d recommend building a solid foundation in the natural sciences and embracing an interdisciplinary approach. It’s often the combination of different disciplines that leads to the most exciting discoveries. If they’re interested in the work we do in our group, they’re welcome to reach out to me directly. I’d be happy to explain what our research involves. Here, they’ll learn modern scientific methods and gain experience that will certainly be valuable in their careers. Working in science requires a lot of hard work and patience, but the reward is immense satisfaction when you discover something new.
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