I am a scientific researcher with a background in the field of protein evolution and molecular biology. My current affiliation is with the University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Košice, Slovakia, where I work as a Scientific Researcher in the Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences. My primary research focus is on directed evolution, specifically its application in the development of therapeutic proteins. I am particularly interested in optimizing thrombolytic agents, with a current emphasis on staphylokinase (SAK).
Current position:
Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia (01/01/2021 – Present)
Research Focus: Protein Engineering
Key Research Areas: Directed Evolution Methods – Ribosome Display, Yeast Display, Protein Expression and Purification, Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques
Previous positions:
Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Center SAS, Bratislava, Slovakia (08/2018 – 15/02/2021)
Research Focus: Molecular Biology
Key Research Areas: Isolation of RNA, microRNA, DNA, protein, and exosome isolation from human tissues and cell cultures, Gene expression quantification using real-time PCR, Study of gene expression regulation at the microRNA level, Protein quantification using Western blot, Supervision of graduate students, Procurement of laboratory materials and equipment
IMUNA PHARM, Šarišské Michaľany, Slovakia (01/2014 – 10/2016)
Key Responsibilities: Department leadership, project preparation and management, infrastructure development; Collaboration with the Quality Department in drug registration; Implementation of modern technological manufacturing processes in GMP and GLP conditions; Vaccine development; Development and implementation of modern technological manufacturing processes in GMP and GLP conditions; Development of analytical methods
Education:
PhD Degree at the Laboratory for the Study of Mitochondrial Disorders, KDDL 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague (2006 – 2015)
Research areas: DNA/RNA, protein and lymphocyte isolation, sequencing, RFLP and HRM analysis, targeted mutagenesis of recombinant DNA; DNA diagnostics, implementation and optimization of new diagnostic methods
Dissertation topic: Cytochrome P450 Reductase, Structural-Functional Study of Antley-Bixler Syndrome
Master’s Degree from the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague (2000 – 2006)
Field of Study: Biology, Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics
Thesis: Hereditary Hemochromatosis, the Most Common Genetic Disorder in the Caucasian Population
Scientific Projects
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The Advanced Protein Biotechnology Consortium (APBC): A model for fostering economic growth and mitigating brain drain in Eastern Slovakia
(2025 – 2027, European Union – NextGenerationEU), Co-investigator
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Fostering High Scientific Quality in Protein Research in Eastern Slovakia (ExCasProt)
(2024 – 2026, European Union – NextGenerationEU), Principal investigator
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Study and Modification of Properties of Spider Protein Overexpressed in Escherichia coli
(2022 – 2025, VEGA 2/0034/22), Co-investigator
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Modification of Catalytic Properties of Haloalkane Dehalogenases by Protein Evolution Methods
(2022 – 2024, VEGA 1/0074/22), Co-investigator
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Identification and Validation of Biomarkers and Molecular Pathways of Late Toxicity in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
(2020 – 2024, APVV-19-0411), Co-investigator
- Exercise in Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Related Late Toxicity in Testicular Cancer Survivors
(2020 – 2023, VEGA 2/0164/20)
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Open Scientific Community for Modern Interdisciplinary Research in Medicine (OPENMED)
(2019 – 2023), Co-investigator
- Synergistic Effects of Exercise and Carnosine Supplementation in Parkinson’s Disease
(2018 – 2021, VEGA 2/0107/18)
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Molecular Mechanisms of Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis
(2017 – 2019, VEGA 2/0096/17), Co-investigator
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Innovative Therapeutic Procedures and Vaccine Production Technologies
(2013 – 2016), Co-investigator
Publications
Protein engineering and directed evolution
- Tomková M. et al. (2026)
Rapid screening of staphylokinase protein variants using an unpurified cell-free expression system.
FEBS Open Bio
- Nemergut M. et al. (2026)
Concentration-dependent dimerization of staphylokinase variants with engineered surface charges.
Protein Science
- Štulajterová M. et al. (2025)
Assessing the impact of His-tags on activity and stability of staphylokinase variants.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
- Toul M. et al. (2023)
Identification, characterization, and engineering of glycosylation in thrombolytics.
Biotechnology Advances
Protein biophysics and enzymology
- Dušeková E. et al. (2022)
Modulation of global stability, ligand binding and catalytic properties of trypsin by anions.
Biophysical Chemistry
- Dušeková E. et al. (2022)
Specific anion effect on properties of HRV 3C protease.
Biophysical Chemistry
Molecular and clinical research
- Ukropcová B. et al. (2020)
Cytokine profile in cerebrospinal fluid is modulated by exercise intervention.
Alzheimer’s & Dementia
- Schön M. et al. (2019)
Effects of running on adiponectin, insulin and cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid.
Scientific Reports
Earlier work (genetics and molecular diagnostics)
- Tomková M. et al. (2015)
Genetic variations in NADPH-CYP450 oxidoreductase in a Czech cohort.
Pharmacogenomics
- Tomková M. et al. (2012)
Identification of novel P450 oxidoreductase variants in human populations.
Pharmacogenomics
