The research group focuses on the study of epigenetic mechanisms involved in cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response, as well as on translating these insights into the development of anticancer therapies and the identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers. The main area of research is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, with a particular emphasis on the development and optimization of combination therapeutic strategies, overcoming drug resistance, enhancing tumor cell sensitivity to cytotoxic, targeted, and immunological treatments, and studying the role of the tumor microenvironment together with the epigenetic mechanisms regulating its biological properties and cellular interactions. A second key research area is uveal melanoma, focusing on changes in chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation, and the identification of prognostic biomarkers. An important component of the group’s research is also the use of epigenetic markers in liquid biopsy approaches across the investigated cancer types.
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Head of the Research Group
Dr. Božena Smolková studies the molecular mechanisms driving cancer initiation and progression, with a focus on their biological relevance and clinical impact. She earned her PhD in Genetics (2005) at Comenius University in Bratislava. Her early work in genetic epidemiology explored genetic risk factors for multifactorial diseases. Since joining Cancer Research Institute in 2012 her research has shifted toward cancer epigenetics, focusing on epigenetic alterations, gene regulation, and their role in tumor development.
Employees
| Title | Name | Phone | ORCID | |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/32295 138 |
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| Ing., PhD. | 02/ 3229 5136 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 3229 5136 |
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| Mgr. | 02/32295136 |
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| MUDr. | ||||
| Mgr. | 02/32295136 |
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| Mgr. Bc. | 02/32295136 |
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| RNDr., PhD. | 02/ 32295 138 |
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| Mgr. | 02/32295136 |
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| 02/ 3229 5144 | ||||
| RNDr., PhD. | 02/ 3229 5136 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 32295 138 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 3229 5136 |
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