Petra Čápová - Skotnicová

Within Roman Sobotka´s group, Petra specializes in the study of molecular and biochemical mechanisms that regulate the functioning of photosystems in cyanobacteria. Her research focuses on proteins and complexes that play a role in photosynthesis and in the biogenesis of thylakoid membranes where photosynthesis takes place. One of the significant results of Petra´s work is the study of the cyanobacterial protein BtpA, which is necessary for the initial steps of the biosynthesis of tetrapyrroles, precursors for the synthesis of chlorophyll, heme and bilins (Skotnicová et al., 2024). She also collaborates with Vendula Krynická on research on FtsH proteases in cyanobacteria (Koník et al., 2024; Krynická et al., 2023). As part of the ongoing OP JAK Photomachines project, Petra is exploring new methods for reprogramming regulatory pathways in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803, focusing on the histidine kinases Hik33 and Hik26, potentially with the aim of biotechnological use.