MSc. Zuzana Benešová

Biography

I have recently joined the Laboratory of Gene Expression as a PhD student. Previously I studied Molecular Biology and Genetics at Masaryk University in Brno, where I obtained my master's degree. My diploma thesis dealt with horizontal gene transfer among bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, so apart from my main field of study I became familiar with microbiology as well. In summer 2018 and 2019, I had an opportunity to work as a research assistant at the Crop Research Institute, where I learned many useful laboratory skills while working with plant pathogens. Molecular biology has a wide range of application and there is still a lot new to learn. During my studies I became very interested in neurobiology, but I also enjoyed learning about all kinds of methods of molecular biology and data processing. These are the reasons why I decided to say goodbye to bacteria and Brno, and why I applied for a PhD position in the research group of Lukáš Valihrach. Here, I am working on the role of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases, mainly in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alexander disease, utilizing RT-qPCR and single-cell RNA-sequencing. I enjoy eating good food and spending time with my friends. My hobbies include music, dancing, reading, winter sports and cycling.

Publications

1. Reactive astrogliosis in the era of single-cell transcriptomics. Matusova Z, Hol EM, Pekny M, Kubista M, Valihrach L. Front Cell Neurosci. 2023 Apr 20;17:1173200. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1173200.
2. Cortical glia in SOD1(G93A) mice are subtly affected by ALS-like pathology. Filipi T*, Matusova Z*, Abaffy P, Vanatko O, Tureckova J, Benesova S, Kubiskova M, Kirdajova D, Zahumensky J, Valihrach L, Anderova M.Sci Rep. 2023 Apr 21;13(1):6538. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33608-y. *equal contribution
3. Glioblastoma and cerebral organoids: development and analysis of an in vitro model for glioblastoma migration. Fedorova V, Pospisilova V, Vanova T, Cerna KA, Abaffy P, Sedmik J, Raska J, Vochyanova S, Matusova Z, Houserova J, Valihrach L, Hodny Z, Bohaciakova D.Mol Oncol. 2023 Feb 6. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.13389.
4. Recent advances in deciphering oligodendrocyte heterogeneity with single-cell transcriptomics. Valihrach L, Matusova Z, Zucha D, Klassen R, Benesova S, Abaffy P, Kubista M, Anderova M. Front Cell Neurosci. 2022 Oct 13;16:1025012. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1025012.