Research Topic
We research the strategies that viruses use to escape detection by our immune system, which help them to replicate in our cells and, in some cases, establish lifelong infections that we can never clear. We have a particular interest in those virus-employed tricks that target proteins such as TNF receptors, cytokines, chemokines or interferons, as well as their molecular mechanisms, as these proteins released by our immune cells are fundamentally important in promoting immunity.
Individual working groups are dedicated to the research of viral immunology in order to contribute to the discovery of the molecular mechanisms of these important proteins both on the pathogen and on the host side. In our portfolio, we study various herpesvirus families, influenza virus as well as tickle encephalitis virus.
Furthermore, we are also interested in understanding the relationship between the three-dimensional structure of the protein and its function. The immune system is the perfect system for these studies because it has a unique ability to interact with virtually any pathogen it encounters. Using this knowledge, we try to modify the chemical structure of viral macromolecules to alter the quality and size of the associated immune response, and possibly eliminate the mechanism by which the microbe evades immunological recognition. These viral molecules, therefore, have a high pharmacological potential in immunomodulatory therapy.
Patents
Fuchsberger, N – HAJNICKÁ, Valéria – BARTÍKOVÁ, Pavlína; Patent Number: US 07439229, Patent Assignee: Evolutec Limited: Cytokine activity regulator molecules from tick salivary glands. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
NEMČOVIČOVÁ, Ivana – Benedict, CA – Zajonc, DM, Verma, S – U.S. patent US2017088600-A1; Composition for designing compound, protein or peptide that interacts with TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-R2 receptor, comprises TRAIL-R2 receptor or its fragment bound to ligand in crystalline form.
NEMČOVIČOVÁ, Ivana – Benedict, CA – Zajonc, DM – U.S. patent US2014134647-A1; Composition useful in antiviral drug for e.g. providing antiinflammatory response, comprises TRAIL-R2 receptor or fragment of TRAIL-R2 receptor bound to ligand in crystalline form.
Rajčáni, J – Matis, J – Leško, J – Leššo, J – KÚDELOVÁ, Marcela. Autorské osvedčenie vynálezu č. 265536, udelené Federálnym úradom pre vynálezy: Subjednotková vakcína proti rekurentnému herpesu a spôsob jej prípravy.
Photo Gallery
Head of the Research Group
Mgr. Ivana Nemčovičová, PhD.
| T: | 02 5930 2435 |
| @: | ivana.nemcovicova@savba.sk |
Dr Ivana Nemčovičová is a recognized structural biologist. She investigates molecular mechanisms of human cytomegalovirus and its immune interactions; her team developed an inhibitor of viral glycoprotein UL141 with potential for immunotherapy of cancers and autoimmune diseases. She has authored a notable paper on the structure and function of UL141 highlighted by Nature Reviews editors, and SAS award-winning publications on molecular mechanisms.
Employees
| Title | Name | Phone | ORCID | |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 425 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 460 |
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| doc. RNDr., DrSc. | 02/ 59302 440 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 460 |
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| PharmDr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 435 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 460 |
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| Mgr. | 02/ 59302 460 |
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| RNDr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 460 |
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| Mgr. | 02/ 59302 460 | |||
| RNDr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 440 |
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| RNDr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 425 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 435 |
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| Mgr., PhD. | 02/ 59302 425 |
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| Ing. | 02/ 59302 457 |
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