Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
The Annual Conference of the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IMG), held on 28–29 May 2026, brought together researchers from across the institute to share scientific achievements, discuss future directions and celebrate outstanding research accomplishments. The programme reflected the breadth of research conducted at IMG, from molecular mechanisms of disease and genome editing to developmental biology, neuroscience and innovative therapeutic approaches.
In his annual director’s address, Petr Dráber framed the institute’s success around five interconnected pillars supporting IMG’s scientific mission. At its core are the research groups whose work advances our understanding of fundamental biological processes. Their efforts are strengthened by specialized research services, including advanced imaging, sequencing, proteomics and cytometry facilities, which provide researchers with access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise.
A third pillar consists of major research infrastructures, including Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Czech-BioImaging, CZ-OPENSCREEN, and ELIXIR CZ. These infrastructures provide researchers with access to advanced technologies, specialized expertise and wider scientific networks that support demanding experimental and data-driven work. Their value lies not only in equipment or services, but also in the fact that they make complex research more feasible, reproducible and collaborative.
The fourth pillar is the research environment and international collaboration. Regular scientific events with renowned speakers from abroad, close cooperation with neighbouring institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Universities, and the presence of researchers from many countries contribute to an open environment where ideas, expertise and new collaborations can develop naturally. This spirit was also reflected in the conference’s social programme, which brought employees together through a bilingual quiz, a barbecue and an evening of informal discussions and music.
The fifth pillar consists of the administrative and technical teams whose work is essential to the functioning of the institute. Whether managing research funding, ensuring compliance with legal and administrative requirements, maintaining infrastructure or providing IT support, these colleagues create the conditions that enable scientific work to proceed smoothly. Although their contribution is often less visible than research itself, it is an indispensable part of the collective effort behind every scientific achievement.
Together, these pillars form an interconnected ecosystem that enables discovery and supports the institute’s long-term development. While each pillar plays a distinct role, the conference highlighted a simple message: important scientific advances are rarely the result of individual effort alone, but rather of an environment in which researchers, facilities, infrastructures and support teams work together toward a common goal.
The conference programme reflected the remarkable diversity of research at IMG. Presentations covered topics ranging from host-pathogen interactions and inflammatory diseases to DNA repair, embryonic development, genome engineering, reproductive biology and neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers also presented advances in identifying new therapeutic targets and understanding the molecular basis of human disease.
Together, these contributions illustrated the strength of interdisciplinary research at IMG and its ability to address fundamental biological questions while generating knowledge with potential clinical and societal applications.
The conference also provided an opportunity to review the institute’s publication performance. In 2025, IMG researchers published 133 scientific papers, maintaining a level comparable to previous years. Particularly noteworthy was the increase in publications appearing in journals with high impact, with impact factor above 15, where IMG researchers published thirteen papers, demonstrating continued international visibility and impact.
Petr Dráber also reviewed several important developments within the institute, including organizational changes, support for research data management and open science, and preparations for major investments in scientific infrastructure that will strengthen IMG’s research capabilities in the coming years.
Petr Dráber also pointed to a broader discussion taking place across the research community about how the value of research should be measured. Publications, citations and international recognition remain essential indicators of quality, but there is growing emphasis on demonstrating the wider benefits that research brings to society. Whether through new medical approaches, technological innovations, education or public engagement, research institutions are increasingly expected to show not only what they discover, but also why those discoveries matter.
At IMG, this perspective is reflected in activities that help connect research with society in different ways. One example is the Czech Academy of Sciences Innovations Program (CASI), which supports the translation of discoveries originating at IMG and other institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences into practical applications and new companies. Another is support for science communication and public engagement. This year, IMG supported Sounds of Science, an initiative of the French Institute in Prague that brings together leading scientists, artists and the public through a unique combination of scientific lectures and musical performances. Tickets to the event were awarded to the authors of the best IMG publications and to PhD students who had been particularly active in science communication and public engagement. Although different in nature, both initiatives share a common goal: ensuring that scientific knowledge reaches beyond the laboratory and contributes to society.
A highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Director’s Awards for the Best IMG Publications of 2025. The awards recognize original discoveries that significantly advance knowledge in their field and have become an important tradition at the institute. They are made possible thanks to the legacy of former IMG Director Prof. Josef Říman, DSc., who wished part of his estate to be used to reward scientists and research teams for outstanding scientific achievements. In this way, the awards not only celebrate current accomplishments but also reflect a lasting commitment to supporting scientific discovery at IMG.
The first prize was awarded to a team led by Ondřej Štěpánek, with Veronika Niederlová as the first author, for a study published in Nature Communications that provides new insight s into the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes development in children. Using advanced single-cell analyses, the researchers examined immune cells shortly after disease onset and discovered a profound imbalance between stem-like and highly active effector T cells across both conventional and regulatory T-cell populations. By revealing previously unrecognized changes in the immune system, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of type 1 diabetes and may help guide the development of more targeted immunotherapies.
The second prize was awarded to a team led by Petr Jansa and Jiří Forejt for a study published in PNAS that sheds new light on one of the fundamental mechanisms underlying reproductive isolation and the formation of new species. The researchers identified a cluster of microRNA genes on the X chromosome that plays a key role in male hybrid sterility in house mice. Their findings provide a rare molecular explanation for how genetic incompatibilities arise between closely related populations and contribute to the emergence of reproductive barriers, while also advancing our understanding of fertility and genome stability.
The third prize was awarded to a team led by Lucie Láníková, with Veronika Zimolová as the first author, for a study published in Leukemia that investigated the effects of the inherited JAK2-R1063H mutation on blood cell formation. Using a combination of genetically modified mouse models, molecular analyses and clinical data from patients, the researchers showed that this genetic variant can disrupt the normal function of blood-forming stem cells, increase the risk of blood clotting complications and contribute to the development of myeloproliferative diseases and leukemia. The findings may help identify patients at increased risk of serious complications and open possibilities for improved diagnosis and personalized treatment approaches.
Together, the three awarded studies illustrate the breadth and impact of research carried out at IMG. Yet perhaps the most important message of this year’s conference was that discoveries are only one part of the story. Behind every publication stands a wider ecosystem of research groups, core facilities, infrastructures, support teams and collaborators whose collective efforts make scientific progress possible. By continuing to invest in this environment while seeking new ways to connect research with society, IMG aims to ensure that its discoveries contribute not only to scientific knowledge, but also to the world beyond the laboratory.
