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

Prices and awards

• 2015 The Josef Hlavka award for students and young researchers

Non-scientific skills and other activities

Lonely activities in the countryside or in my workshop, collecting, consumation and culinary processing of products of nature.

Volunteer activities

I voluntarily entered a marriage and I am raising two childern.