News from UP

Scientists from the Department of Biophysics of the Faculty of Science of Palacký University Olomouc collaborated with the French cosmetic brand Guerlain and LVMH Recherche on a research program related to the development of a unique range of products aimed at slowing down skin aging processes. The knowledge gained in the laboratories of the Faculty of Science of Palacký University Olomouc (UP) was highlighted in the new Orchidée Impériale Gold Nobile – The Goldessence, which represents a new milestone in modern skin care based on scientific research.

Olomouc scientists used advanced biophysical and optical methods, which allows for detailed monitoring of biological processes in the skin, to demonstrate novel properties for the core ingredient technology of the Orchidée Impériale Gold Nobile range. The research focused in particular on the so-called ultra-weak photon emission – very weak light signals emitted by skin cells and which can serve as an indicator of aging.

Ultra-weak photon emission as an indicator of aging

“Our results show that ultra-weak photon emission can be a sensitive indicator of changes in the skin associated with aging. Thanks to unique measurement technologies, we are able to monitor these processes and better understand how their course can be influenced,” said the head of the research team, Ankush Prasad from the Department of Biophysics.

The new product formula uses an active ingredient extracted from the Dendrobium nobile orchid (Gold Nobile), which is associated with the restoration of UPE emissions close to those of normal skin cells, as compared to senescent cells. Biophysical analyses helped to clarify the mechanisms by which this ingredient contributes to improving the appearance of the skin, its radiance and reducing visible signs of aging.

Connecting science and luxury cosmetics

The Faculty of Science of Palacký University began cooperation with the Guerlain cosmetics house, which is part of the LVMH group, in 2022. This partnership was subsequently followed by a three-year contract focused on further research into mechanisms related to the modulation of ultra-weak photon emission in human skin and their contribution to cellular functions.

“This project is an example of how basic research in biophysics can find concrete applications in practice. Connecting the university environment with an industrial partner allows scientific knowledge to be transferred into real products,” added Ankush Prasad.

Research with an impact on everyday life

The project confirms the growing importance of collaboration between academia and industry and shows that cutting-edge research conducted at the UP Faculty of Science can contribute to innovations in areas of everyday life, including modern skin care.

Science made interesting, science made accessible, science everywhere. Once again, Olomouc is hosting the Academia Film Olomouc international festival, organized by Palacký University.

Although yesterday’s opening ceremony traditionally kicked off at the cinema, AFO isn’t just there. The entire city literally belongs to it. Thousands of visitors can look forward not only to dozens of films from around the world, but also to discussions, concerts, walks, and other events.

And as Rector Michael Kohajda notes on the festival website, AFO is more than just a film festival. “Academia Film Olomouc has long demonstrated the important role the university plays not only as a place for education, science, and research, but also as an active part of our society. The festival is one of the most striking examples of fulfilling the so-called third role of the university—it opens science to the public, promotes dialogue, and contributes to understanding the contemporary world. I greatly appreciate that students from Palacký University play a significant role in its organisation. Here, they gain valuable experience, learn to communicate scientific topics clearly, and develop skills that extend beyond their field of study and their academic work itself.”

So don’t hesitate. It’s definitely not too late. The programme for the 61st year is packed with films and events. Basic admission is free; all you need is accreditation on the festival website. We’ve written about the festival in detail here and here.

Due to the ongoing war, the number of Ukrainian students at Palacký University has increased. At the Department of Slavic Studies in the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University, this situation has also turned into an unexpected opportunity. Here, Ukrainian students are translating selected Czech legal regulations into their native language. In doing so, they are contributing to the reforms necessary for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

The Department of Slavic Studies at the UP Faculty of Arts has joined the project Czech Legislative Assistance to Ukraine, which aims to support Ukrainian lawmakers in preparing the reforms necessary to align with the European legal system. Students enrolled in the course Professional Text Translation 4 (KSU/7POT4) are participating in the project. There are ten native Ukrainian speakers.

As part of their studies, they translate selected Czech laws, for example, in the areas of animal protection, hunting, nature and landscape conservation, or veterinary care. The completed translations are then reviewed by a Ukrainian lawyer and subsequently forwarded to government institutions in Kyiv. There, they serve as a basis for preparing and approving new legislation.

For their work, students receive not only a course grade and three credits, but also a certificate of completion of the translation practicum.

“We joined the project because we can take advantage of the presence of native Ukrainian speakers who know Czech. Under expert guidance, they are able to translate legal texts into a form that a Ukrainian lawyer needs only to review and forward to the relevant institutions. For the students, it is also an opportunity to help their country while studying in the Czech Republic,” said Radana Merzová, head of the Ukrainian Studies section at the department.

The project combines teaching with practical experience and also represents a concrete contribution by the university to supporting Ukraine during this difficult period. It builds on a cooperation agreement between Palacký University and the International Institute for Development and Transformation Cooperation.

Even very low concentrations of pesticides can disrupt the microbiome of aquatic invertebrate larvae, thereby affecting their health and resilience to stressors. This is the conclusion of a new study by researchers from the Faculty of Science at Palacký University and the University of Ostrava, which focused on dragonfly larvae.

The results of the study, titled Trace amounts of insecticide, herbicide, and their combination disrupt the bacterial and fungal microbiome of a nontarget aquatic invertebrate, were published in the prestigious journal Environmental Pollution.

The researchers monitored the effects of two commonly used pesticides on the larvae of the common darter (Sympetrum vulgatum). They focused on the herbicide metazachlor, applied primarily in rapeseed fields against common weeds, and on the insecticide etofenprox, which is used against insect pests. Using molecular methods, they analyzed the larvae’s microbiome—a collection of tiny microorganisms consisting primarily of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microscopic life forms—and found that the insecticide caused the most significant changes. It reduced the diversity of the microbiome, altered the composition of microbial communities, and disrupted the relationships between individual microorganisms. The combination of both substances did not have a stronger effect than the insecticide alone, but it did influence the way microbial communities form.

Even low concentrations of pesticides disrupt microbial balance

“A key finding is that changes in the bacterial and fungal microbiome of the larvae were observed even at extremely low concentrations of pesticides, which were well below levels commonly found in aquatic environments. This concentration can be imagined as a single drop of the substance in a volume of water equivalent to roughly one hundred thousand Olympic-sized swimming pools. The results thus show that even minute amounts of these substances can disrupt sensitive biological processes,” said the study’s lead author, Hana Šigutová, from the Department of Zoology at the Faculty of Science, UP.

According to the scientists, pesticides can also suppress potentially beneficial microorganisms and promote the growth of species associated with disease, as well as with the breakdown of foreign chemical substances. “Because the microbiome can significantly influence the resilience, health, and ability of its hosts to cope with stressors, trace exposure to pesticides in non-target aquatic organisms represents a serious problem that is still overlooked,” added study co-author Petr Pyszko from the Department of Biology and Ecology at the Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava.

Natural environments enhance organism resilience

The research also showed that a naturally formed microbiome can play an important role in host resilience. Larvae collected from the wild had a richer microbiome and greater diversity of microbial communities than individuals reared under laboratory conditions and exhibited higher resistance to pesticides. According to the authors, this suggests that natural microbial colonization may help organisms better cope with environmental stress.

“For a more accurate assessment of ecological risks, it is therefore necessary to monitor not only direct toxic effects but also subtle changes in microbial communities, including the fungal component, which remains largely unexplored,” concluded Hana Šigutová.