At present, the department is studying the control of metabolism (energy homeostasis) at the level of the whole organism and at the level of a single cell, the influence of abiotic factors of the external environment on physiological functions (thermoregulation, adaptation), the energetics of muscle cells under the influence of various stimuli, as well as transport processes in the intestine, biological clocks and learning mechanisms. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of receptor signalling have also long been of interest. Membrane receptors for neurotransmitters, ion channels, and other signaling or regulatory molecules (e.g., trimeric G proteins and regulators of their function, adenylyl cyclases and phospholipases) have been investigated using molecular pharmacology, electrophysiology, biochemistry, and advanced imaging techniques. These experiments are performed on selected genetically engineered cell lines as well as on natural isolated organs or tissues. In general, various physiological processes are not only studied at the cellular level, but great attention is also paid to the complexity of the mechanisms governing the physiological functions of the whole organism.
Main topics of current research projects
- Molecular cardioprotective mechanisms of cold exposure
- Cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects of opioids
- Molecular mechanisms of addiction and tolerance during long-term opioid exposure
- Bioenergetics and cellular respiration, oxidative stress
- Biological clock and its regulation
- Disturbed biorhythms, sleep deprivation - effects on the cardiovascular and nervous systems
- Thermoregulation, hibernation, fever and adaptation to cold
- Signaling systems of receptors coupled to trimeric G proteins, mechanisms of hormone desensitization
- Effects of stress and nutrition on memory processes and learning
- Transport processes in the intestinal wall
- Apoptotic processes in the human endometrium