IPB - Institute of Physical Biology

The goal of the research at the Institute of Physical Biology USB is to study biological systems by exact physical, chemical methods with subsequent challenging and critical evaluation. The work proceeds mainly at two levels

• Biology of systems - it focuses on studies of adaptation of living organisms and their commonities at various levels of regulation and adaptation to external conditions. In order to reach this goal are utilised also randomly and specifically mutated organisms. Part of this activity is also development of new measuring techniques as well as mathematical methods of analyses of results and development of biotechnologies utilising the knowledge
• Structure and function of key proteins in the cell - it utilises all methods for establishment of structure and function of proteins and other biologically important molecules. It is an analytical complement to biology of systems. This activity includes also molecular modelling including ab-initio calculations.

The term physical biology, which means use of exact physical principles in studies of biological objects is increasingly spreading in science. It may be mentioned the foundation of international journal Physical Biology, the foundation of resarch institution with the key word Physical biology in its name and the foundation of courses of physical biology at universities worldwide. The Institute of Physical Biology was among the first institutions worldwide which included this scientific approach in its long-term scientific program.

The research at IPB is organised in four complementary directions whoich correspond to the scientific focus of institute departments. The departments are:/p>

Structure and function of proteins:
The department studies realtions between structure and function of proteins, dynamic changes accompanying functional processes at the level of proteins and studies of mutual interactions of subunits in protein complexes or interactions of membranes and proteins .

Molecular ecophysiology of photosynthesis
The goal is to study molecular mechanisms regulating expression of keay photosynthetic genes, synthesisand degradation of their protein products, assembly of these products into functional membrane copmplexes and physiological activity of these complexes. Focus is made on dependency of these processes on internal (cell cycle) as well as external environment (circadian cycle, changes in irradiance, nutritional and oxidative stress).

Biotechnology and photosynthesis
The goal is the development and utilisation of photobioreactors for production of selected strains of algae and cyanobacteria. There are developed screening tests for detection of bioactive compounds and methods of measurement of photochemical activities in situ.

Applied photobioloogy and image techniques
Research projects ate focused to imaging of structural and functional dynamics of cells, sub-cellular compartments and individual proteins and their mutual relations in biological system