Main research interest

In general, I am interested in molecular phylogenetics and genomics of cyanobacteria from various points of view. Since my studies I have been involved with classification of cyanobacteria using DNA sequences and overall molecular evolution of cyanobacteria. After finishing my doctoral studies I have been focusing more on the study of genetic background of the biosynthesis of bioactive cyanobacterial compounds, and detection of the responsible genes.

Scientific expertise

DNA isolation and sequencing, including next-generation sequencing techniques, PCR, phylogenetic analysis, genome analysis, bioinformatic prediction of secondary metabolites. Classical and molecular identification of cyanobacteria and algae.

Description of the academic carrier

2014–now Research team head – Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology
2013–now PhD student/junior researcher – Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Centre Algatech)
2012–now Teacher – University of South Bohemia in České Budejovice, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany
2011–2017 PhD student/postdoc – Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences

Education

3’ 2015 Ph.D. in Botany, University of South Bohemia in České Budejovice Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Jan Kaštovský
1’ 2009 MSc. in Botany, University of South Bohemia in České Budejovice Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Jan Kaštovský

Most important research projects

2019–2021 International grant DFG-GAČR of the Czech Science Foundation (19-21649J) – Hunting down the Eagle Killer – Investigations into the cyanotoxin causing avian vacuolar myelinopathy – Principal investigator
2016–2018 Standard grant of the Czech Science Foundation (16-09381S) – Bioactive lipopeptides: genome mining, detection, and structure-activity – Co-principal investigator

The most important conference talks (aprox. 6 in total)

Mareš J. 2019. Cyanobacterial taxonomy: a botanical point of view. 21st Genomic Standards Consortium Meeting: Cyanobacterial taxonomy satellite meeting, Vienna, Austria. Invited lecture.
Mareš J. 2016. Molecular taxonomy of Cyanobacteria in the Genomic Era. 20th Symposium of the International Association for Cyanophyte Research, Innsbruck Austria. Invited keynote lecture.
Mareš J., Hauer T. 2013. Polyphasic study of the coccoid cyanobacterial genera Gloeothece and Cyanothece. 19th Symposium of the International Association for Cyanophyte Research, Cleveland USA.

The most important poster presentations (aprox. 14 in total)

Mareš J., Bártová M., Kust A., Čapková K., Vu D.L., Fewer D.P., Mattila A., Skulberg O.M., Mysterud I., Sivonen K. & Hrouzek P. 2018. Cytotoxic cyanobacterial lipopeptides puwainaphycins and minutissamides: gene cluster analysis and universal detection methods. 16th International Symposium on Phototrophic Prokaryotes, Vancouver, Canada.
Mareš J., Cantonati M. 2015. Phylogenetic position of a peculiar benthic epilithic cyanobacterium Geitleribactron purpureum from Lake Tovel (Italy), and its consequences to the taxonomy of Geitleribactron. The International Benthic Algae Taxonomy Workshop, Trento, Italy.
Mareš J., Hrouzek P. & Zapomělová E. 2012. Genomic analysis and secondary metabolite production in a non-indigenous, toxic cyanobacterium Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi (USAČEV) RAJANIEMI et al.. 14th International Symposium on Phototrophic Prokaryotes, Porto, Portugal.

Key current international cooperation

Prof. Timo Niedermayer (Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany)
Prof. Jeffrey R. Johansen (John Carrol University, Cleveland, USA)
Dr. Marco Cantonati (Museum of Natural Sciences, Trento, Italy)
Dr. David Fewer, Prof. Kaarina Sivonen (Department of Microbiology, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Finland)

Teaching and Tutoring

2012–now Permanent pedagogical activity at the University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic (Determination course of cyanobacteria and algae)
2013–now Advisor of 2 bachelor, 2 master, and 3 doctoral students.

Past student supervision

Kust A. 2019. Polyphasic analysis and secondary metabolite patterns in unbranched heterocytous cyanobacteria with different life strategies. Dissertation Thesis. Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia – Ph.D. advisor
Bártová M. 2019. Detection and monitoring of potentially toxic cyanobacterial lipopeptides. Master Thesis. Department of Medicinal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia – MSc. advisor
Dadáková I. 2017. Polyphasic study of the genus Gloeocapsa (cyanobacteria) using molecular analysis of single cells. Matsre Thesis. Institute of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno – MSc. advisor
Dadáková I. 2014. Subaerial cyanophytes/cyanobacteria in National Park Slovak Paradise (Slovakia)- species diversity, ecology and taxonomy. Bachelor Thesis. Department of Medicinal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia – BSc. advisor

Ongoing student supervision

Toledo Lemus M. A. Comparison of the classical polyphasic approach and the genome taxonomy workflow to characterize selected synechococcalean lineages (Cyanobacteria). Dissertation Thesis. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia – Ph.D. advisor
Kriuchkov A. Identification of toxic lipoeptide producers in cyanobacterial bloom. Bakalářská práce. Bachelor Thesis. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia – BSc. advisor
Martínez Yerena J. A. Biosynthesis and environmental monitoring of aetokthonotoxin. Dissertation Thesis. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia – Ph.D. advisor