Translational Research Unit

Translational Research Unit

Translational Research Unit (TRU) is a specialized facility of the 2nd Oncology Clinic of Medical Faculty Comenius University and NCI which focuses on translational research, i.e. the application of findings from basic research in clinical practice, as well as retrograde solutions of clinically significant problems in oncology using experimental approaches in vitro and in vivo on TRU animal models.

Biobank - is a specialized Translational Research Unit facility dedicated to long-term archiving of biological material with clinical annotations used in the implementation of research projects in TRU.

Translational Research Unit Director:

• prof. Michal Mego, M.D., D.Sc.
  E-mail: michal.mego@nou.sk

Researchers:

• Dr. MSc. Katarína Kaľavská, Ph.D
• Dr. Daniela Světlovská, Ph.D
• Assoc. Prof. Martin Boháč, M.D., Ph.D
• MSc. Silvia Schmidtova, Ph.D

Other professionals:

• Denisa Koleková
• Veronika Remenárová, MSc.
• Michaela Ďuratná
• Kristína Meszárošová

Main research topic

• Breast cancer
• Testicular germ cell tumors
• Circulating tumor cells
• Bladder tumors
• Probiotics

Projects and grants

1. MZ SR 2018/39-LFUK-13. Overcoming cisplatin-resistance in refractory testicular germ cell tumors via tumor stem cell marker-targeted therapy. Principal investigator: Dr. Chovanec Michal, Ph.D.
2. Grant VEGA 1/0327/19. Identification of the role of microbiome and immune molecular mechanisms of cognitive dysfunctions due to late toxicity of testicular germ cell cancer treatment. Principal investigator: Dr. Chovanec Michal, PhD.
3. Grant VEGA 1/0043/18. Use of model systems to study resistance mechanisms associated with chemotherapy failure in patients with germ cell testicular cancers. Principal investigator: Dr. Ing. Katarína Káľavská, Ph.D.
4. Grant APVV-16-0010. Identification and validation of signaling pathways associated with circulating tumor cells in breast cancer. Principal investigator: prof. Dr. Michal Mego, D.Sc.
5. Grant APVV-15-0086. Identification of biomarkers associated with late chemotherapy toxicity in germ cell testicular tumors. Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jozef Mardiak, Ph.D.
6. Grant VEGA 1/0044/15 Identification of factors involved in the release and migration of circulating tumor cells in breast cancer. Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michal Mego, Ph.D.
7. Grant APVV-0016-11. Identification of biomarkers associated with chemotherapy resistance in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michal Mego, Ph.D.
8. Grant VEGA 1/0724/11 Circulating tumor cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jozef Mardiak, Ph.D.
9. Grant VEGA 1/0722/11 Preventing irinotecan-induced diarrhea via probiotics. Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michal Mego, Ph.D.
10. Grant MZ - 2007/30-NOU-01: Complex patient care program for patients with germ cell tumors. Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jozef Mardiak, Ph.D.

Cooperative projects

1. Grant APVV-17-0384. Turning cisplatin-resistant testicular germ cell tumors into a curable disease. Principal investigator: MSc. Miroslav Chovanec Ph.D.
2. Grant APVV-14-0327. Identification of new biomarkers and alternative approaches to tumor DNA analysis applicable in diagnostics and prognostics of breast cancer. Principal investigator: Dr. Gabriel Minarik, Ph.D.
3. Grant VEGA 1/0614/12: The role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in urothelial cancer pathogenesis. Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Anna Gvozdjáková, D.Sc.
4. Grant APVV-0646-11: Role of bacteria in carcinogenesis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimír Zajac, CSc.