From September 11th to 13th, 2024, the fourth CYANOMETA workshop brought together an exciting blend of international researchers at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia. Experts from Serbia, Hungary, Czechia, and Poland gathered for a dynamic and immersive experience that combined engaging lectures, hands-on scientific practice, and a refreshing tour of the university's renowned botanical garden.

 

The first day kicked off with an inspiring series of lectures led by RNDr. Dajana Kecsey, PhD., and her esteemed colleagues from the Faculty of Plant Biology. Attendees delved into the fascinating world of cryptogams in proteomics, exploring the potent photoprotective and antioxidant properties of scytonemin—a remarkable cyanobacterial metabolite.

Presentation by RNDr. Dajana Kecsey, PhD.

 

Participants were also treated to a thought-provoking session on the invaluable role of the botanical garden in university research, which set the stage for the highly anticipated laboratory work. Researchers got hands-on with in vitro cultivation techniques and learned cutting-edge methods for identifying cyanobacterial metabolites using TLC and HPLC.

Presentation by RNDr. Richard Frenák

 

The excitement carried over into the second day, with a captivating lecture by Prof. RNDr. Martin Bačkor, DrSc., who unveiled his pioneering research on extremophile cyanobacteria and algae as a treasure trove of bioactive compounds. RNDr. Richard Frenák followed with an in-depth look into advanced isolation and identification techniques for cyanobacterial metabolites, providing invaluable insights for future research endeavors.

Presentation by Prof. RNDr. Martin Bačkor, DrSc.
 

Presentation by RNDr. Richard Frenák

 

The workshop wrapped up with an engaging introduction to phytochemistry, sparking lively discussions about upcoming research projects and setting the stage for the eagerly awaited next CYANOMETA workshop.

 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to RNDr. Dajana Kecsey, PhD. and Mgr.  Andrea Poganyova, PhD., the workshop organizers, and the entire team from the Faculty of Plant Biology, for making this event possible.

 

For a detailed overview of the workshop program and additional resources, visit the DOWNLOADABLE FILES section.