Laboratory of Cell biology and Cytogenetics

Dr. Ing. Miroslava Požgajová

Department of Genetics and Breeding Biology, SUA in Nitra: Ing. Alica Navrátilová, PhD.

Department of Plant Physiology, SUA in Nitra: Ing. Marek Kovár, PhD.

Comenius University in Bratislava, Department of Genetics

Slovak Academy of Science, Centre of Biosciences SAS, Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics

Max F. Perutz Laboratories in Vienna, Austria

• Investigation of the role of toxic elements such as Cd, Ni, and Al, or food-born and environmental contaminants on fundamental processes of all living organisms including cell growth, cell morphology, regulation of chromosome segregation during cell cycle
• Determination of the antioxidant status of the organism upon toxic element treatment and characterization of the possible positive effect of biologically active substances such as ascorbic acid against toxicity of the particular contaminant
• Determination of the cellular defense mechanisms on molecular basis

Schematic draw of the population intoxication by environmental toxicants, such as heavy metals, through the food chain.

– APVV-22-0294 – Functional analyses of TOR signaling pathway in the regulation of abiotic stress response in the fission yeast

– VEGA 1/0583/23 – Cell response to environmental stress derived by the TORC2 kinase complex signaling pathway

– 12-GASPU-2021 – Elimination of the toxic effect of acrylamide with the use of biologically active substances,

– ITMS2014+ 313011V336 (Drive4SIFood) – molecular consequences derived from food contamination

– ITMS2014+ 313012P694 (Frost) – determination of acrylamide toxicity to living organisms

– ITMS2014+ 313011W580 (Uranos) – analyses of the antioxidant capacity of the organism under stress conditions of the environment

– APVV-19-0598 – determination of the impact of beta glucan upon contamination of the living environment

Navrátilová, A., Kovár, M. and Požgajová, M., 2021. Ascorbic acid mitigates cadmium-induced stress, and contributes to ionome stabilization in fission yeast. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(12), pp.15380-15393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11480-x

Požgajová, M., Navrátilová, A., Šebová, E., Kovár, M. and Kačániová, M., 2020. Cadmium-Induced Cell Homeostasis Impairment is Suppressed by the Tor1 Deficiency in Fission Yeast. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(21), p.7847. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21217847

Pozgajova, M., Navratilova, A., Arvay, J., Duranova, H. and Trakovicka, A., 2020. Impact of cadmium and nickel on ion homeostasis in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 55(2), pp.166-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2019.1673613

Pozgajova, M. and Duranova, H., 2021. BIOLUMINOMETRIC ASSAY OF CELL ATP DETECTION UNDER STRESS CONDITIONS AND IN THE ASSESSMENT OF CLEANNESS OF THE FOOD PRODUCING COMPANY. Journal of microbiology, biotechnology and food sciences, 10(5), pp.e2584-e2584. https://doi.org/10.15414/jmbfs.2584

Klongová, L.; Kovár, M.; Navrátilová, A.; Fialkova, V.; Požgajová, M. Cornus mas L. Extract-Mediated Modulations of the Redox State Induce Cytotoxicity in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14, 4049. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/app14104049

Požgajová, M.; Klongová, L.; Kovár, M.; Navrátilová, A. 2024. Cell Protection by Oxidative Stress Mitigation Using Substances with Bioactive Properties. In : The Power of Antioxidants – Unleashing Nature’s Defense Against Oxidative Stress (Eds: Novo Barros, A. and Santos Abraão, A.C). doi: 10.5772/intechopen.1004522

Požgajová, M.; Kovár, M.; Navrátilová, A.; Fialková, V.; Chlebová, Z. 2023. Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) ethanolic extract protects yeast cells from hyper-and hypo-glycemic stress. Journal of microbiology, biotechnology and food sciences. 13 (4): e9817. doi: 10.55251/jmbfs.9817

Ďúranová, H.; Šimora, V.; Ďurišová, L.; Olexiková, L.; Kovár, M.; Požgajová, M. 2023. Modifications in ultrastructural characteristics and redox status of plants under environmental stress: A review. Plants. 12 (8): 1666. doi: 10.3390/plants12081666

Navrátilová, A.; Kovár, M.; Kopčeková, J.; Mrázová, J.; Trakovická, A.; Požgajová, M. 2023. Protective effect of Aronia melanocarpa juice against acrylamide-induced cellular toxicity. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B. 58 (2): 139-149. doi: 10.1080/03601234.2023.2172287

Požgajová, M.; Navrátilová, A.; Kovár, M. 2022. Curative Potential of Substances with Bioactive Properties to Alleviate Cd Toxicity: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (19): 12380. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912380

Kovár, M.; Navrátilová, A.; Kolláthová, R.; Trakovická, A.; Požgajová, M. 2022. Acrylamide-Derived Ionome, Metabolic, and Cell Cycle Alterations Are Alleviated by Ascorbic Acid in the Fission Yeast. Molecules. 27 (13): 4307. doi: 10.3390/molecules27134307

Navrátilová, A.; Kovár, M.; Trakovická, A.; Požgajová, M. 2021. Cell homeostasis alterations induced by environmental stress. Acta Fytotechnica et Zootechnica. 24 (3): 226-232. doi: 0.15414/afz.2021.24.03.226-232

Navratilova, A.; Kovar, M.; Trakovicka, A; Pozgajova, M. 2021. Nickel induced cell impairments are negatively regulated by the Tor1 kinase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 37: 165. doi: 10.1007/s11274-021-03130-2

Kovár, M.; Navrátilová, A.; Trakovická, A.; Požgajová, M. 2021. Ascorbic acid supplementation suppresses cadmium-derived alterations in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Slovak Journal of Food Sciences. 15: 423-432. doi: 10.5219/1618