PRVOUK Annotations ****************************************************************************************** * P01 - Theology as a Way to Interpret History and Culture ****************************************************************************************** The programme is based on two principles. Firstly, the theological faculties involved in t intend to coordinate their research activities with the aim of demonstrating their relevan it is not their intention simply to do research "in their own back yard", but instead to s "reads" its own tradition in interaction with the culture it finds itself in, how it "read history and the impact of the "Christian code" on it, and how it "reads" current cultural- antagonisms. With this broadly-based programme the theological faculties plan to enter int of interpretations of the historical and cultural phenomena of the milieu of our civilizat contribute to a deeper understanding of them which will overcome superficial antagonisms. Within the framework of this broadly formulated programme, the individual faculties have s the focuses of their research as follows: the Protestant Theological Faculty will concentr hermeneutics of the Christian tradition, in particular the Czech Protestant tradition, in history of Europe, with the aim of creating preconditions not only for a better understand phenomena that are being examined, but above all for practical mutual understanding among spiritual and religious traditions in Czech and European multicultural society. The Cathol Faculty has entitled its research focus "Christianity as the Code of European Culture", wh interlinking of knowledge gained from theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and h overall picture of spiritual culture and expressing the trends in its development and its Hussite Theological Faculty has defined its theme as "Confessionality and Nationalism"; in touches on a burning current issue – the need to remove the antagonisms preventing Europea dialogue between confessions and cultures. Within the framework of the programme it is planned to hold joint conferences on the indiv stabilize the research teams by inviting young researchers (doctoral students) to join, an create a single joint research programme. ****************************************************************************************** * P02 - Environmental Research ****************************************************************************************** "Environmental Research" is a truly interdisciplinary programme that connects research fro faculties and research centres of Charles University. It includes specialists from many fi and humanities including ecology, geology, chemistry, pedology, hydrology, atmospheric sci fields of medicine, economics, sociology, law, didactics, political science and other rela The aim of the programme is to improve our understanding of individual components forming and their interactions with each other and with human society. This also creates a basis f practically oriented problems related to environmental policy and regulation, management a education. The programme combines recent advanced methodical approaches in the study of biodiversity, processes, abiotic environments and the interaction of human society with the environment. explore these phenomena and processes on various spatio-temporal scales and to focus on in processes that operate on these spatio-temporal scales. Cooperation between science and th creates a good opportunity for the development of combined methodical and methodological a These include the use of high-tech approaches to studying biodiversity and natural process the flow of matter and energy in ecosystems, tracking of pollutants and other relevant com sophisticated analytical approaches, advanced statistical tools and mathematical tools inc tools of mathematical modelling, geographic information systems, data mining and other mat driven approaches applied to both natural and social systems and their interaction. This i the implementation of sociological data, sociological and economic analysis, and the imple various scenarios of the development of human society. These analytical approaches are the recommendations for policy, education and legislation. ****************************************************************************************** * P03 - Improvement and Support of Psychological Sciences ****************************************************************************************** The programme “Improvement and support of Psychological Sciences” is focused on the identi rectification of weaknesses in teaching, research and clinical practice at Charles Univers aim of the programme is to create an integrative concept and framework in psychology that collaboration and networking in this field. The third general aim is to define and establi strategies and tasks for the improvement of selected cross-institutional areas/topics in p theory and empirical research. The programme addresses the current situation at different Charles University: different approaches to similar issues, different standards of technic and facilities for research, different strategies and approaches to building research capa resources management, and a low degree of mutual collaboration and motivation for networki joint research and education programmes at Charles University and elsewhere. The programme is based on the identification of existing overlaps where it would be possib discussions on how better to interconnect and support joint activities and collaboration b institutions. We have three priority areas: theoretical psychology and methodology; clinic prevention of risk behaviour and counselling. The programme tasks and aims reflect the exi capacities of the participating institutions at Charles University with respect to the fac the teams at these institutions are also involved in other ongoing projects and programmes The programme aims to create a theoretical and methodological superstructure that can supp and teaching activities and act as a foundation for our outputs in all basic areas of inte practice (diagnostic tools, norms, counselling centres, preventive interventions etc.), ed training (new programmes, innovative approaches in training activities, textbooks, e-learn research (papers in prestigious journals, monographs, conferences, seminars etc.). ****************************************************************************************** * P04 - Institutional and Normative Transformations of Law in the European and Global Cont ****************************************************************************************** At the beginning of the 21st century law is undergoing transformations which are significa its form and also affecting its relation to the state. These changes manifest themselves e multicentrism of lawmaking (on national, European and international levels), in the transi hierarchical to a network-based organization of legal norms, in the growing role of econom and the need for national and transnational regulation of economic processes, in the judic law (the growing role of courts on the national and international levels), and in the prio human rights and the related under-prioritization of legal duties. The causes, manifestati of these processes need to be examined together with their interactions with social relati conditions in which the law operates. It will thus be necessary to examine the scope of the functioning of law (in relation to o systems), its methods of operation (including causes of the acceptance of law), its format in the process of legislative lawmaking, the growing significance of the judicial construc the restructuring of legal liability regimes (namely the range of sanctions and the wideni liability), changes in the relations between private and public law, and legal and non-leg stimulating the behaviour of others. In this context attention shall also be paid to the transformation of the functions of the well as the relations among institutions and entities on the state, regional/local, intern supranational levels (including the European Union first and foremost). Transitions also o of international law, which is changing from an inter-state (state-centric) system to a tr order with the growing influence of non-state actors. An important task will be the analysis of the constitutional system of the Czech Republic of the constitutionalization of international law) from the standpoint of its effectivenes the rise of attributes of the (postmodern) deconstruction of the modern conception of norm principles and values, on which law was hitherto based. ****************************************************************************************** * P05 - Private Law in the 21st Century ****************************************************************************************** The Czech legal order has experienced substantial changes relating to, and resulting from, the new codification of private law. These changes will affect the whole of society, as bo private individuals and legal entities will have to deal with them in their everyday trans regulative framework will bear upon all spheres of private life; in particular, it will di and govern civil, business and family relations including those with international element it will have a direct impact on all other relations of a private nature, whether relating employment, or other spheres. The primary focus of the research will be on what we currently denote as the object of civ general private law. Researchers will concentrate on essentially all “branches” of private proportionate manner; this will include both the codification which is valid and effective the newly adopted codes which are part of valid legislation but could be designated as lex become effective next year. One of the purposes of the programme is to produce an analysis of new, or reinstated, inst of private law including proposals for their application in judicial practice and well-gro recommendations for how domestic and foreign case law may be employed in this respect. The aim of the programme at a more specific level is to focus on such issues which arise f codification and which will be subsequently raised in practice during the course of adjust applying, the new integrating code. In this context, the objective of jurisprudence is to issues, to clarify the sense and substance of new legal constructs, and to seek purposeful interpretations of the new institutions and concepts. ****************************************************************************************** * P06 - Public Law between Europeanization and Globalization ****************************************************************************************** The process of Europeanization and globalization apply to public law primarily through nor mechanisms (mainly the legal order of the EU); national legal systems are compelled, wheth or indirectly, actually or potentially, to absorb them. The case law of the Union’s courts of the international judicial institutions of some international organizations, enhances t judicial precedents. In consequence of Europeanization and globalization, the branches of been subject to many changes, frequently resulting in a certain “neutralization” of the Cz legal order. The extent of neutralization in the branches of law where a substantial porti powers have been delegated to EU institutions (financial law, administrative law) is diffe to other legal branches where the Czech Republic has retained its sovereign powers, partic criminal law. In relation to the process of Europeanization and globalization, we analyze for neutralization and its impact upon national public law under the influence of global r measures (e.g. within financial markets). So-called “legal transplants” have been formed a consequence of Europeanization and globalization; these are legal concepts and institution legal orders penetrating national legal orders as a result of those processes. In 2012, in of public law created a list of such legal transplants in Czech law; they will be subject the following years. Emphasis is laid on concepts and institutions linking different branc law. Legal mechanisms for settling the debt crisis can be given as an example, as this con constitutional law, European law, financial law, administrative law and social security la analytical outcomes were produced in this area in cooperation with PRVOUK 04. The outcomes practice in the formulation of the Czech position with respect to the Treaty on Stability, Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union. An important part of the programme includes ethical issues of the relation between public performance of public authority. The basis for the research in this area was laid in 2012 and political pre-requisites of public administration, independence of authorities and ind officers, discretion vs. correctness, consistency and transparency, effectiveness of work, and politicization of responsibility). The first diagnostic outcome will be available in 2 In addition to the above-mentioned cooperation with PRVOUK 04, we are also cooperating wit 05 programme in order to determine a more precise delineation of the changing borders betw private law. Private law is not conceived in the new Civil Code as a tool for governing so guarantee of the free creation of private life so that the widest space possible is preser initiative of an individual. The autonomy of will of an individual emphasizes the individu private law in opposition to the social character of public law. ****************************************************************************************** * P07 - Psychosocial Aspects of Human Quality of Life ****************************************************************************************** This programme can be seen as an interdisciplinary programme, representing human sciences key perspectives in terms of social changes and trends, and monitoring several specific as society (health, lifestyle, delinquency, etc.) in a transitional period in which the socia changing. Furthermore, the research addresses the perspective of the individual and his de society, how he perceives reality and the meaningfulness of life, and specifically how he ongoing social changes and how he deals with them. Areas of application for the research i psychology, psychiatry and social work, where societal changes have the most important imp individual. By approaching the issues via a variety of different yet complementary disciplines, the pr unique insight and is fully in line with global trends towards interdisciplinary research. The programme focuses on both research and application; it ranges from exploratory analyse employment of an interdisciplinary perspective and the eventual application of the researc social context, focusing on the areas of prevention and intervention. This approach can al the previous research and publication activity of the departments involved. The sociological and psychological contexts of the programme are related to the research p of the Ministry of Education, Youth and sports: Individual and Society in Transition and G (1999-2004); Development of Czech Society in the EU: Challenges and Risks - The Human Fact Potential Development, Adaptation and Personality in the Social Context (2005-2011). This programme involves three faculties (the Faculty of Arts, the 2nd Faculty of Medicine of Social Sciences), five disciplines (psychology, psychiatry, sociology, methodology, soc five different departments (Faculty of Arts - Department of Sociology, Department of Psych of Social Work; Faculty of Social Sciences - Department of Sociology; 2nd Faculty of Medic of Psychiatry). ****************************************************************************************** * P08 - Oriental Studies ****************************************************************************************** The study and research of Asia at the Faculty of Arts has a respected tradition reaching b years. The individual fields of study rooted in the philology of major languages of these complex interdisciplinary research on languages, literatures, societies, histories and cul perspective of their historical development and modern situation. The individual research projects each focus on one specialized field of study or method wi interdisciplinary perspective. Besides the study of the primary sources, which is an impor part of the research in all regions, we also place emphasis on direct contact with the stu field work and practical knowledge of the region in question. The individual fields of stu on characteristic and dynamically developing aspects of the languages, societies and cultu Knowledge of languages and of the relevant “terrains” is an essential precondition for app cultural heritage of these countries and for acquiring a good orientation in current event Besides their research activities and the production of new knowledge, our specialists als to the general public and provide relevant and up-to-date information about the societies, literatures and cultures of Asia o members of the public. They also prepare scholarly tran original literary works and offer informed analyses of the current situation in the indivi In our programme we stress the interconnectedness of teaching and research, which is evide that talented Master’s students and especially PhD students also take part in our research Visiting lecturers and professors from our target countries as well as partner European un further contribute to a high standard of teaching and research. The importance of research on Asia is growing with the increasing role of this continent o stage. Complex knowledge of the individual regions, including excellent knowledge of their facilitates a new insight into the problems of the regions in question and helps us to und transformations taking place there. It further contributes to the development of relations Czech Republic and these countries. Another important aspect is our international cooperat within Europe and other Western countries and also with scholars in our target countries. received in the countries of our professional interest, which generally contributes to a p the Czech Republic in these countries. ****************************************************************************************** * P09 - Literature and Art in Intercultural Relationships ****************************************************************************************** The programme is designed to integrate literary, artistic and historical disciplines at th Arts by studying the functions and transformations of art and media in a broader historica international socio-political context. This primary research is supplemented by applied re which include editing and translating the studied texts in order to make them available to academic public. The programme is focused on several major problem areas including cultura multiculturalism and canons as well as popular, trivial and commercial literature and art. areas are the relationships between literature and technology or utopias, the links betwee visual and performing arts, and interactions between literature and the political power of regimes. The principal cultural regions explored are Central Europe and English-speaking c The programme is based on close cooperation among academics and PhD students and builds on previous successful research projects including "Tradition and Multiculturalism in the Eng Countries" and "A History of Modern Literature in Supranational Context" (both under an um "Foundations of the Modern World Reflected by Literature and Philosophy"), and the output Centre of the Czech Avant-Garde". ****************************************************************************************** * P10 - Linguistics Programme ****************************************************************************************** The content of the programme reflects the breadth of interests of the participating partne and institutes concerned with linguistic disciplines at the Faculty of Arts are among the Czech Republic. At the same time they are the most distinguished ones of their kind in the boasting extensive research activities and prestigious publications issued in the Czech Re abroad. They often function as the country’s standard-setting and training centres, with t subsequently working as specialists in most other Czech universities. In this sense the ro of Arts is irreplaceable within both Charles University and the whole of the Czech higher The number of studied languages and the wide-ranging theoretical and methodological stance the Faculty the most comprehensive linguistic research institution in the Czech Republic. diversity of the participating (general and special linguistics) departments and institute includes components that cover most of the key aspects of language research. These compone representative of four complementary levels/perspectives of approach: (a) theoretical – ap viewed from the (b) general – specific perspectives where the object of research is either such (general linguistics) or particular languages (European and non-European, studied in or comparative manner); (c) synchronic (from (neo-) structuralist and functional positions (focusing on the historical background of language phenomena and their development); and f intradisciplinary – interdisciplinary perspectives (the latter involving linguistic resear broad socio-cultural context, involving different language communities and situations etc. psychological, contact, functional, or communicative, settings with the collaboration of s as sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, corpus linguistics, etc.). The Linguistics Programme is conceived so that its research outputs take into account the of EU language policy and its implementation, whether including outputs in the applied sph management, Translation Studies, lexicographic and didactic projects) and that of speciali education and preparation which contribute to the fulfilment of the framework strategy of one of the key priorities of EU language policy, or outputs in the theoretical sphere, bri the wider theoretical context and perspectives of this policy. ****************************************************************************************** * P11 - Czech National Corpus ****************************************************************************************** The primary objective of the Czech National Corpus (CNC), launched in 1994 at the Faculty is to build language corpora, i.e. large text databases which serve as a basis for basic a applied research. The CNC strives to continuously map and monitor the Czech language, its and development. CNC activities can be divided into two interdependent parts. Since 1 Janu first part of the CNC programme (building of corpora, their publication and improvement, a professional services and technical support) has been carried out within the framework of year infrastructure project funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The sec methodology of corpus mining and analysis, as well as linguistic mapping of Czech, its var development, based on corpus data) is covered by the PRVOUK programme (Czech National Corp The PRVOUK programme is focused on further promoting and enlarging as well as deepening co research of the Czech language in all its varieties. It focuses principally on basic resea also includes work on methodological issues and the production of applied outputs, such as grammar books, linguistics publications, monographs and papers etc. By building an ever la the programme strives to extend linguistic research possibilities into areas which have no available for corpus research. With the continuous growth of the CNC database, the question of how to use it as effective is becoming more and more important. The corpora of synchronic written Czech comprising 1. provide a solid basis for the research of various linguistic phenomena; researchers predom lexicology (collocations, phraseology, and terminology) and text (discourse analysis, styl to the unique research data in the corpora of spontaneous spoken Czech (3 mil. words), it to examine characteristic features of spoken discourse (from the lexical, morphological, s or sociolinguistic perspectives) and to compare them with the properties of written texts. a long-term perspective, the programme also focuses on diachronic research; the DIAKORP co the development of Czech from the 14th to the 20th century. It also focuses on the modern perspective (from the 1990s up to the present day). Special attention is given to contrast based on the InterCorp parallel corpus (139 mil. words) consisting of Czech texts aligned translations in different languages. The CNC corpora and research results are also used in university teaching: they provide va have resulted in a number of papers and theses at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, as well dissertations. ****************************************************************************************** * P12 - History in an Interdisciplinary Perspective ****************************************************************************************** The goal of this interdisciplinary programme is to strengthen research in the historical s related disciplines. The long-term aim of the programme is to contribute to the position o University as a leading institution for historical research in Central Europe. The program the particularly strong tradition of historical research at the Faculty of Arts. At the sa with the latest research approaches in the field and considers the impact of globalization The main aim of the programme is to examine the relationship between evolutionary and conf of human action in history as well as to answer the question of the extent to which histor are able to learn from history – both from their mistakes and from their achievements. The conception of a human as both an individual and a collective being who seeks his “happines social situations serves as a conceptual “bridge” unifying the entire programme. The resea capture interactions among analogies in historical processes and the diversity of values b The Faculty of Arts is an umbrella institution for a variety of historical disciplines whi systematically studied at its various institutes and departments. Those disciplines, toget interdisciplinary fields such as Ibero-American Studies, Balkan Studies and Central Europe create a complete corpus which benefits from mutual research cooperation. The interdiscipl of the programme stems from this conceptual and organizational context. The programme focu following traditionally strong research areas in historical science at the Faculty of Arts and chronologically oriented research of historical resources, political, social, economic history, comparative history, studies of nationalism and area studies. Another important aspect of interdisciplinarity within the programme stems from the coordi methods of historical disciplines with methods and theories from different fields such as political science, psychology, aesthetics, cultural anthropology and economics. Philosophically, the inspiration for the programme draws from its emphasis on "historicity "temporality". It seems apparent that we cannot simply apply social and cultural conceptio of historical phenomena; we also have to travel in a reverse direction, contextualize huma explain social and political processes in terms of their relations to the turning points i the often ambivalent impacts of human actions. The research within the programme thus aims analysis of national and cultural identities in the diachronic perspective. Particular eve analyzed while observing regularities as well as changes in human action and communication institutions and relationships, and in power structures. The programme is divided into following modules: ****************************************************************************************** * P13 - Rationality in Human Sciences ****************************************************************************************** Research in contemporary philosophy builds upon two traditions – continental philosophy an Saxon tradition, which stresses the study of language, logic and epistemology. There still approaches within the inner structure of the field: historic and systemic, which complicat Difficult as it may seem in both cases to synthetize the two concepts, it is necessary to bases and intersections. It is clear that the philosophical approach at the Faculty of Phi pay exclusive attention to only one direction in contemporary research: our broad-based in cooperation and our tradition forbids it. This is why the Programme strives to determine t for dialogue and cooperation. In a way it is possible to determine them quite precisely, a follows on from the results of the 2005-2011 research programme funded by the Ministry of and Sports: “Foundations of the Modern World as Reflected in Literature and Philosophy”, a the results of grant-funded research at the Institute of Philosophy and Religious Studies, (“Logical Bases of Semantics” 2009-2012, “Order of Knowledge, Order of Morality and Order the Philosophy of Plato” 2011-2013). The Programme, drawing from this research, delimitates themes in which different tradition and approaches can meet, and which are important for the cultivation of philosophy in the Indeed, it is anticipated that their significance will grow over time. The stress is on di the critical rationality which is characteristic of all fields of the humanities (although different methods). The Programme is divided into three modules. Each, within the framewor tradition, deals with problems also dealt with by other traditions. This is done in a way solution to become a basis for cooperation with other traditions. The goal is to create a which to cultivate philosophy - however internally differentiated it may be. The premise o division of the Programme is communication not only across modules but also across the spe The division is according to themes, and each theme accentuates a different methodological third module respects the need for interdisciplinarity as well as the fact that philosophy knowledge that must be confronted with the approaches of other disciplines. This module sh function to communicate across the boundaries of philosophical discourse. ****************************************************************************************** * P14 - Archaeology of Non-European Regions ****************************************************************************************** Research of ancient Egyptian civilization. Cultural and political adaptation of the North civilizations in ancient history (5000 B.C.–1000 A.D.). The aim of the programme is to support the long-term research and teaching activities of t Institute of Egyptology at Charles University in order to ensure the continued exploration archaeological concessions at Abusir (Egypt), the Egyptian Western Desert and Sudan, and t further development of theoretical Egyptological research and the exploration of complex c at the Institute’s workplace in the Czech Republic. The research team will be engaged in t of the civilization of ancient Egypt above all based on the acquisition of original source its own archaeological research and their subsequent interpretation, including the investi relationships between Egypt and the neighbouring areas of the ancient Near East and North general level, the investigation will concern theoretical generalizations of the explored processes in terms of the development of complex societies in the Holocene. Based on the clearly defined and internationally respected profile of the Czech Institute (i.e. the search for and interpretation of sources related to the history of the oldest Eg further projects of basic research will be implemented, aiming specifically at the investi social, economic, political, cultural and religious history of ancient Egypt in the 4th, 3 millennia BC. Within this programme, ancient Egyptian society is understood within its broader cultural, historical context, because the development in Egypt itself influenced the situation in th of the Near East and north-eastern Africa in antiquity. The analysis and interpretation of acquired in this way and from a long timespan provide us with unique information that can knowledge and analysis of processes characterizing our current civilization and its develo The acquired sources and knowledge will contribute in a decisive way to our better underst to a radically different interpretation, of the rise and development of science, crafts an integration of ancient Egyptian civilization into the socio-cultural development of the wi North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Near East. ****************************************************************************************** * P15 - Schools and the Teaching Profession in the Context of Increasing Demands on Educat ****************************************************************************************** The programme is thematically structured into six areas dealing with (1) the transformatio resulting in new demands on teachers, focusing on their preparatory and follow-up lifelong the efficacy of school education and assessment of its efficacy in the local and internati focusing on desirable innovations; (3) children and teenagers (pupils and students) in rel changing structure of influences affecting their development, focusing on creating an envi to meeting the educational requirements of school education; (4) people with special educa i.e. people who are disadvantaged in various ways, focusing on their inclusion into mainst (5) upbringing and education with respect to value orientations, focusing on personal mora (6) educational policy, focusing on the availability of high-quality education as a factor integrity. Each of the above-mentioned areas is explored both individually and in interdis Besides the Faculty of Education, other faculties of Charles University have joined the pr namely the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Physical Education and Sport. The programme seeks to explore the theory of school, scho its participants taking into account the findings in terms of their application and innova ****************************************************************************************** * P17 - Sciences of Society, Politics, and Media under the Challenge of the Times ****************************************************************************************** The programme aims to perform highly qualified research into the social and political dyna contemporary world, based on international standards and interlinked with the development social scientific disciplines and inter-disciplinary cooperation. The Faculty of Social Sc to such an aim, as has been demonstrated by the course, results and evaluation of the rese from 2005-2011, which launched this trend. The development of disciplines and the encourag disciplinary cooperation will materialize within the boundaries outlined in the table belo Core sciences Political Science Sociolo Cross-sectional disciplines Area Studies Public and Social Policy The programme will of course also address other related disciplines, primarily in the sphe law, public administration and modern and contemporary history. As regards the content of the programme, it aims to: 1. Identify significant challenges, o threats emerging within Czech, European and global contexts; 2. Explore the behaviour and agents who face them within the transformation of politics, territories, administration an 3. Cultivate corresponding theoretical bases and methodological tools. A fundamental pre-requisite for the programme to work is the stabilization of the research Faculty in terms of human resources, qualification structure and finances, based on cooper senior academics, postdoctoral and doctoral scholars, selective support by teams and resea excellent results, and effective management of the programme. The organization and management of the programme reflects the effective cooperation of the council and coordinator with the heads of individual workplaces and the universal support apparatus. ****************************************************************************************** * P18 - Phenomenology and Semiotics ****************************************************************************************** The research focuses firstly on contemporary continental philosophy, specifically phenomen hermeneutics and philosophical anthropology. Secondly, it involves semiotic research drawi resources (post-structuralism, visual studies) as well as Anglo-Saxon domains of research, of communication, linguistics and urban anthropology. The philosophical aspect of the programme predominately consists in phenomenology and phil anthropology. It examines principal questions such as the relations between rationality an subjectivity and corporeality, life and mortality, the “givenness” of the world, the natur disclosure and the constitution of space and time. Associated fields of research include t of action, creativity and rhetoric in areas such as ethics and politics, but also in the p and aesthetics. Semiotic research focuses on post-structuralist approaches to the analysis of signs and co processes. The research examines the evolution of communication types caused by the new te The aim is to establish a philosophical basis for research with regard to the character an communication ranging from linguistics and anthropology to cognitive science. Major fields include the relation between representation and interpretation, forms of authorship and cr new media, the transformation of urban space, and technologies of power and their impact o society. Also associated with the programme is an emerging contemporary discipline concerned with e hermeneutics of ancient and medieval texts. This is an interdisciplinary area of research conjunction with philology, philosophy, the history of the intellect, religious studies, m studies, etc. It focuses specifically on religious texts. In addition, the programme will develop further research in digital philology. ****************************************************************************************** * P19 - Interdisciplinary Social Sciences ****************************************************************************************** The following fields and problem-oriented interdisciplinary specializations are involved i the sociology of knowledge, institutions and organizations, gender studies, civil society studies, the study of management and supervision in social and healthcare organizations. T the programme is to support the development of a set of interdisciplinary specializations sciences and humanities that have not yet become firmly established at Czech academic inst It is also designed to create a flexible framework for integrating other emerging interdis specializations focused mainly on the study of current transformations in knowledge, cultu Basic research themes include: the crisis and reconstruction of modern institutions; the s and impacts of expert knowledge in general and, in particular, of social sciences and huma reproduction and transformation of the gender order; social innovation and the social econ civic participation and collective action; management processes and cultural dynamics in o The content of the programme reflects efforts to integrate approaches in the social scienc and to attain a balance between basic and applied research. It includes research projects at the application of knowledge in such fields as the third sector, the social economy, ge and the management and supervision of health and social organizations. The results can be administration, international and global organizations, the third sector, the corporate sp public. ****************************************************************************************** * P20 - Cultural, Social and Historical Anthropology ****************************************************************************************** The programme draws on the findings of the research project No. MSM0021620843 (“Anthropolo Communication and Human Adaptation”) and also on current research in the field of general (especially in such subdisciplines as behavioural, historical, cultural and social anthrop historical sociology and gerontology. The programme aims to create a space for the analytical and interpretative interconnection approaches to the study of human existence (drawing on humanities, biology and medicine). The research addresses forms of human behaviour, (social) action and cognition. Interest i only on the determinacy of species (as part of the process of hominization), but also on t cultural, social, generational and group conditionality and variability. Attention will be paid to the categories of memory (personal and group), consciousness and and also to the domain of interpersonal relations and relations between personal and socia The research will be concerned with the connection of these aspects with phenomena such as (including its artistic aspects), as well as their adaptability and evolving transformatio In addition to theoretical analysis, the research will also apply qualitative (interpretat empirical methods and quantitative analytical methods. Individual studies will draw on met biological, behavioural-evolutionary, philosophical, cultural and social anthropology, his historical sociology and medicine (i.e. gerontology). The programme will interconnect the approaches of these disciplines in an interdisciplinar thus fulfil one of the essential aims of this programme: to do anthropological studies on between “nature” and “culture”. The other important aim of the programme is to study the c between cultures and their subcultures, including the mechanisms, processes (of marginaliz origins of these subcultures. Another significant aim of the programme is to study the cor the behaviour, actions and cognitive ability of individuals and sociocultural systems from of their historical transformation. ****************************************************************************************** * P21 - History of University Science and Education ****************************************************************************************** The programme has been designed in accordance with the Long-Term Plan of the Institute of Charles University and Archive of Charles University. One of the key intentions of this pl collaboration with other institutions which focus on similar subjects. In this particular experts from the Institute of the History of Charles University and Archive of Charles Uni cooperate with specialists from the Institute of the History of Medicine and Foreign Langu 1st Faculty of Medicine. The programme focuses on the history of the Prague university and and Moravian universities, taking into account a broad chronological span but emphasizing the Early Modern Era up to the present day. University history (i.e. the history of the in a whole and of its constituent parts, the history of academic disciplines, the history of body, the impact of the university and the position of academically educated individuals i be analyzed in a broader context of social, cultural, and political history. A comparative be used especially in studying the development and function of Central European universiti era of national, political, and ideological conflicts in the 19th and 20th centuries. In t will also rely on our tried and tested collaboration with universities in Leipzig, Krakow, The academic team at the Institute of the History of Medicine and Foreign Languages has be cooperating with specialists from the Institute of the History of Charles University and t Charles University on various projects related to the history of medicine and medical facu number of years. The current team includes more experienced researchers as well as represe younger generation. Ultimately, the research should result in the creation of a new, comprehensive, and easily history of Charles University, which would (especially in terms of methodology and interpr elaborate and supplement the History of Charles University I-IV (published by the Institut of Charles University and the Archive of Charles University in the Karolinum Press, 1996–1 from the Institute of the History of Medicine and Foreign Languages will not only collabor overall project of researching the history of Charles University, but will also create a b dictionary for the period 1945–2008 and publish specialized monographs. ****************************************************************************************** * P22 - Theoretical Study of Complex Phenomena ****************************************************************************************** The long-term research programme of the Centre for Theoretical Study (CTS) is devoted to t phenomena that, due to their complexity, overreach the conceptual frameworks of individual and thus demand multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration. Examples of such ph the structure and dynamics of the biosphere at large spatial and temporal scales; the dyna and cultural landscapes and their interaction with the development of human societies; the and the emergence of suburban space; collapses of complex systems and communities; or coll making in developed societies. Our approach to the study of complex phenomena is quite uni Charles University as well as within the international research community), as it is not l detailed explorations from the point of view of individual disciplines and the subsequent these particular views, but also encompasses theory building, i.e. the establishment of ge through which it is possible to interpret complex phenomena. We collaborate with many rese abroad, especially in the USA and the UK, but also in other European countries. Complexity studied from the mathematical perspective by means of computer simulations. Although we ad in the CTS as well, perhaps more important for us is examining the common features of comp in different disciplines. We have published many papers on these topics in renowned journa multidisciplinary journals such as Nature or PNAS, and several books and book chapters (pu by international publishers, e.g. Cambridge University Press or Wiley-Blackwell). The team characterized by transdisciplinary interests combined with a high level of expertise in in of study, and is being continuously renewed by recruiting young researchers. The further d theory of complex phenomena at the CTS thus promises major achievements in both research a ****************************************************************************************** * P23 - Economics and Finance ****************************************************************************************** The programme is run jointly by Charles University’s Centre for Economic Research and Grad (CERGE) and the Institute of Economic Studies (IES) at the Faculty of Social Studies. It a providing financial support to teams engaged in research in the fields of economics, econo finance, and (ii) utilizing institutional funding to enhance the quality and further the d these fields at Charles University. The programme aims to support the publication of high-quality research in renowned general specific journals, developing closer cooperation among senior and junior researchers from and fostering further cooperation with workplaces worldwide. Despite the strict financial constraints imposed by the inadequate funding rules applied a University, CERGE and IES have nevertheless managed to produce high-quality studies in sev modern economics and econometrics, which were published in 2012 in renowned international • American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics (AIS 6,955/IF 3,8), • American Economic Review (AIS 5,674/IF 2,693), • Review of Economics and Statistics (AIS 4,397/IF 2,664), • Journal of Econometrics (AIS 2,839/IF 1,349), • Economic Journal (AIS 2,715/IF 1,945), • Europhysics Letters (AIS 1,173/IF 2,171), • Energy Economics (AIS 1,139/IF 2,344) a • Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control (AIS 1,091/IF 0,855). This represents a unique achievement in publishing within the field of social behavioural (economics, sociology, psychology), which is unprecedented in the Czech Republic. Within the framework of Charles University, CERGE and IESalso cooperate closely in (i) fin research via the GAUK (Charles University Grant Agency) system, (ii) the “Centre for Advan Studies” project (a University Research Centre within the UNCE scheme), and other informal projects (e.g. in the Czech Science Foundation Centre of Excellence, doctoral studies, joi contractual cooperation in accredited programmes, etc.). ****************************************************************************************** * P24 - The Molecular, Cellular and Pathophysiological Basis of Diseases ****************************************************************************************** The aim of the programme is to study large-scale molecular medicine in human diseases of e exogenous origin and to clarify their relevant physiological, developmental and adaptive m Several departments and laboratories collaborate in several fields on the following topics 1.Inherited genetic diseases: identification and study of large-scale genetic causes and m rare diseases (e.g. kidney, myocardium and eye diseases); development of new diagnostic on genomic sequencing; study of mechanisms in hereditary lysosome and mitochondria disor glycosylation disorders and of metabolism of iron, heme, purines and sulphur compounds. 2.Developmental, epigenetic and adaptive mechanisms: normal and pathological cell differen proliferation including stem cells; regulation of transcription, posttranslational modif proteins, biogenesis of microRNA; cell and tissue adaptive reactions and interactions of nanomaterials. 3.Host-microorganism interactions: biology of selected bacterias and Protozoa; pathogenesi infectious diseases; host reactions and interactions with viruses, prions, bacterias and 4.Ethical aspects of molecular medicine, regenerative medicine, biobanking, ethical dilemm and genomics. The research is based on several model systems including bacteria, invertebrates, tissue c The programmes develop existing genomic, proteomic and metabolomic methods, including bioi exploit the expression and characterization of normal and mutant proteins in heterologous of organelles, cells and tissue cultures by various methods including confocal microscopy, immunological and electronoptical methods and animal models. On the national level, the programme contributes to the development of these fields and th postgraduate students. It forms a basis for future research and development structures at level as well as for the proposed National Centre of Medical Genomics. On the internationa published results will enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of t processes; some of the findings will find application in the diagnosis, treatment and prev diseases. ****************************************************************************************** * P25 - Complications of Metabolic Disorders ****************************************************************************************** The main aim of this programme is the analysis of pathogenic mechanisms and the identifica new biomarkers in complications of metabolic disorders, especially of diabetes mellitus, o dyslipoproteinemias, kidney, gastrointestinal and rheumatic diseases, including osteopathi different metabolic disorders will also be evaluated. Analysis of biomarkers will be used the risks of the development of complications, early diagnosis and the effects of treatmen the biomarkers will be used in evaluating the effects of prevention. Four main areas will be included in this programme, with the participation of 22 different the 1st Faculty of Medicine: 1.The experimental part will explore histological, developmental and genetic characteristi development of complications by using different biomodels with particular focus on vascu and their regulatory mechanisms. 2.The vascular complications in diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemias and endocrinopathies will of clinical research of pathogenic mechanisms with respect to the role of regulatory mol 3.Kidney and rheumatic disorders will be investigated to clarify genetic, immune and bioch characteristic for their pathogenesis and with specific focus on the prevention of compl 4.The interaction between man and the environment with regard to infectious and occupation bring new insights in terms of their influence on chronic metabolic disorders. Main outputs: New information obtained from basic and clinical research will provide new i pathogenesis, early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of complications of metabolic dise subsequently be used in clinical practice. ****************************************************************************************** * P26 - Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Neurodegenerative Diseases ****************************************************************************************** Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive dysfunction and eventually cells. Because of the significant increase in their prevalence in the context of an ageing in developed countries, neurodegenerative diseases are among the main priorities of Europe research. The present programme is based on collaboration between research groups from the departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and associated research teams from the 1st Faculty programme will study neurodegenerative mechanisms in various neuropsychiatric diseases suc and Huntington's disease as well as other movement disorders, Alzheimer's disease, Pick’s dementias, multiple sclerosis, psychotic and mood disorders as well as other neuropsychiat Main topics and goals of this programme include: • Clinical, genetic, neuropsychological, electrophysiological and functional imaging studi neurodegenerative diseases; studies of motor, oculomotor, cognitive, and autonomous dist disorders of gait and stability, and disorders of sleep in neurodegenerative diseases; c normative data related to physiological aging. • Diagnostic markers and the relationship between clinical, neuropsychological, genetic, i and imaging parameters in demyelinating diseases. The aim of this topic is to understand neurodegeneration in demyelinating diseases, improve their diagnosis and identify progno treatment response. • Relationships between the clinical manifestation of psychopathology and its functional a underpinnings at the cellular and molecular level. The goal of this topic is to discover biological changes in the brain, the autonomic nervous system, biological rhythms, and t immune systems, which accompany psychopathological processes. • Interaction of biopsychosocial factors in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases special focus on the role of traumatic stress. The aim of this topic is to study metabol behavioural, cognitive, and physical changes in eating disorders, attention deficit hype disorder, personality disorders and addiction. ****************************************************************************************** * P27 - Complex Oncological Programme (COP) ****************************************************************************************** Research area: Experimental and clinical oncology (cell biology and pathology focused on c the cancer microenvironment, new approaches in diagnostics and therapy) The programme represents a continuation of a previous successful programme (MSM 0021620808 The COP covers basic and applied oncological research and connects theoretical, preclinica institutes from two medical schools at Charles University – the 1st and 3rd Medical Facult represents the most extensive oncosurgical base in the country. The COP is closely connect European projects: Biobanking, GLYCOPHARM and BIOCEV. The basic molecular/cellular mechanisms of biological programmes connected with malignant such as apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration, epithelial-mesench will be studied under experimental conditions. The results will be verified using clinical solid tumours of adult age. A better understanding of intra- as well as intercellular regulations, including the inter cells with stromal elements, will lead to the development of new strategies of advanced ea diagnostics and personalized therapy of malignant diseases. ****************************************************************************************** * P28 - Oral Diseases: Incidence, Mechanisms, Prevention, Treatment, Interactions ****************************************************************************************** The programme focuses on epidemiological, clinical and laboratory research of aetiology an diagnostics, prevention and treatment of oral diseases, with a special focus on innovative interdisciplinary approaches to both oral and general health. The programme consists of five inter-related projects, which differ in their areas of focu approaches and outcomes. 1.Oral health of the population and the dental care system - characteristics and assessmen Monitoring of oral health and quality of dental care with the aim of identifying major r of dental caries and periodontal diseases; investigation of psychological and social det oral health-related attitudes and behaviour of parents in relation to the prevention of in their children. 2.Laboratory methods for monitoring of the risk factors for dental caries and periodontal The role of the oral microbiome in the development of cardiovascular and other systemic immunological profile of periodontally compromised patients. 3.Physical and chemical properties of dental materials: Investigation of novel reparative and non-invasive technologies for the treatment of ini lesions and dental erosion; stability of dental materials and bonding systems after expo different agents contained in cosmetic and prophylactic dental products. 4.Investigation of the exposure of the human body to heavy metals from dental alloys conta materials used for restorative and prosthetic dental care: Immune response in patients with hypersensitivity to heavy metals with respect to diagno and dental rehabilitation; detection of corrosion products in oral tissues and electro-c of exposure to heavy metals in the oral environment; monitoring of occupational exposure metals. 5.Comprehensive preventive care and clinical rehabilitation of patients with oral and oro- Interdisciplinary assessment of the relationship of oral and general health disorders; i periodontal impairment on pregnancy with regard to its length and the birth weight of th (case-control studies); testing and implementation of new diagnostic and treatment techn comprehensive oral rehabilitation of patients with advanced non-invasive methods for har tissue reconstruction and team-based approaches to patient rehabilitation. ****************************************************************************************** * P29 - Paediatric and Developmental Neurology Programme ****************************************************************************************** The basis of the programme is a more than 40-year tradition of research into child develop Faculty of Medicine of Charles University (Motol University Hospital). The research consis linked neuroscience programmes focusing on afflictions of the central and peripheral nervo newborn age, through puberty, and throughout the aging process. Currently the research inv of Paediatric Neurology, the Neurological Clinic, the Neurological Clinic for Children and Neuroscience Institute in cooperation with the Centre for Epilepsy, the Inherited Neuropat the Cognitive Centre. The professional cohesion of the clinical and research teams creates a concept of applied research oriented toward both the current needs of patients and the d innovative biomedical approaches. The programme is based both on previous successful grant concerning early identification and intervention in serious developmental disorders of the peripheral nervous system and on existing and upcoming European projects. Within the PRVOU we plan, within 5 years, to achieve significant improvements in our international position sustainable competitiveness, especially by working on the following programmes: • The epileptological programme is focused on research in the field of neuroimaging techni spectroscopy, fMRI, DTI tractography, SISCOM, FDG-PET), in the field of mathematical ana scalp and intracranial EEG signals, and on the improvement of surgical techniques for pa epilepsy (co-registration of neuroimaging tests for purposes of neuronavigation). The pr test the effectiveness of epileptosurgery in patients with cortical dysplasia associated analyze the extracellular parameters of resected brain tissue. • The neurodevelopmental programme has recently become focused around developmental speech (dysphasia); the main aim of the research is to search for clinical, functional (EEG) an (DTI) connections between speech centres and specific developmental changes of the conne affected and healthy children. • The neuropathic and neuromuscular programme is based at the Inherited Neuropathies Centr on investigating the molecular-genetic causes of rare, unclassified inherited neuropathi neuromuscular diseases. ****************************************************************************************** * P30 - Paediatric Haemato-oncology: Molecular Principles and New Therapeutic Approaches ****************************************************************************************** The programme team focuses on translational research in the field of paediatric malignanci aims to expand knowledge of the origin and development of malignant clones. The team will new high-throughput genomic and proteomic techniques and will study pathological signallin of genetic aberrations, and the mechanisms of action and efficiency of commonly used as we developed therapeutics. ****************************************************************************************** * P31 - Initial Stages of Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders ****************************************************************************************** In recent years, the massive development of research in the area of nutrition, diabetology endocrinology at the 3rd Faculty of Medicine has brought large quantities of grant funding particularly for two research projects focused on the above issues. Thanks to these projec laboratories have been equipped with world-class facilities and high-quality, highly produ teams have been built; since 2005 onwards these teams have been integrated into the Centre of Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition. The Centre now incorporates eleven laboratories and groups. These groups have prepared both an UNCE project (the University Centre for the Stu Metabolism) and a PRVOUK programme (Initial Stages of Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic and Nut Disorders). The theme of our research is of key importance and has a social impact: in the Czech Repub currently 800 000 patients with diabetes and over 2 million people with obesity or signifi Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, acquired blindness and non-traumatic limb Diabetes is, along with obesity and metabolic syndrome, the most important risk factor of and its organ complications. About 60 % of the Czech population die of these organ complic heart disease, cerebral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease). Many of them di even in middle age. Today, attention is increasingly being paid to food quality. Therefore programme is focused on the composition of food, including possible burdens of toxic subst The increase in metabolic diseases is closely connected with changes in mitochondrial stru function. The study of the mechanisms and the impacts of mtDNA damage, mitochondrial prote therefore one of the major areas of research into metabolic diseases. Metabolic disorders to the damage to two main tissues: skeletal muscle and vascular endothelium. Therefore, we these tissues as a model study of metabolic (and mitochondrial) dysfunction. In the next segment of the research we deal with the mechanisms through which the deviatio quantity and quality, characteristic e.g. for obesity, provoke adipose tissue dysfunction. attention to mechanisms through which acquired dysfunction of fat tissue influences the fu cellular composition of the fat tissue itself and the function of other peripheral organs regulation of the energetic metabolism, especially skeletal muscle and the pancreas (beta At the level of beta cells the programme focuses on explaining the molecular mechanism of induction by saturated fatty acids on pancreatic beta cells and the molecular mechanisms b unsaturated fatty acids inhibit the induction of apoptosis by saturated fatty acids. In MODY diabetes and type 2 diabetes we observe the mechanisms of beta-cell damage and dec secretion. MODY diabetes is a relatively new type of diabetes, characterized by a clear au inheritance. Currently 11 types of diabetes have been identified; the most common, however these types: MODY 2 diabetes (MODY 2 diabetes glucokinase type with defect of glucokinase) (with defect of HNF4a transcription factor) and MODY 3 diabetes (with defect of HNF1a tran factor). As we recently discovered, a relatively high percentage of MODY diabetes patients antibodies GADA or IA2, which may indicate the destruction of beta cells in the islets of sick by mechanisms which still remain unknown. Therefore we study the mechanisms which cau of insulin secretion and the eventual destruction of the beta cells in patients with MODY Concurrently with this problem, we are studying in detail the mechanisms of insulin secret in the classic type 2 diabetes. We focus mainly on the influence of nutrients and drugs on insulin. In the area of the influence of cell damage by higher levels of iron, the programme is foc transport mechanisms of iron in the cells of tissues which are critical for the metabolism (enterocytes, hepatocytes), including the molecular mechanisms regulating the transport of explanation of molecular mechanisms of iron accumulation in the cells of tissues that are of damage. In addition, we are studying molecular mechanisms of cell damage of these tissu the accumulation of iron, including the induction of apoptosis. Due to the extensive nature of the programme we cannot describe in detail all of the topic However, we must at least mention a study of inflammation and proinflammatory factors in t and progress of atherosclerosis, issues of obesity, diabetes and endocrinology in childhoo of the nutritional status of fragile population groups or the burden of selected toxic sub population (e.g. brominated flame retardants). Particular success (including publication o been achieved by a working group dealing with the development of new electrophoretic metho research. ****************************************************************************************** * P32 - Disorders of Reproductive Health and a Healthy Start in Life ****************************************************************************************** The proposed programme is divided into three areas related to disorders of reproductive he • Pathology of the female reproductive organs. Prevention, early diagnosis and subsequent essential for effective reduction of various forms of disorders of the female reproducti screening of selected pathological diseases of the reproductive organs, standardization and therapeutic procedures, early diagnosis and treatment. The selected pathological conditions include: - deep pelvic endometriosis - changes in the uterine wall following caesarean section - trauma to the muscular components of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter following vagin • Disorders of early foetal development. Congenital defects are the most common cause of p neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity, nevertheless, the size of their contributio reliably known. Successful prenatal diagnosis leads to a reduction in the incidence of c birth defects in infants (i.e. anencephaly, spina bifida, abdominal wall defects, Down s for other types of developmental defects there is only a minimal decrease in incidence. is also a group of congenital defects with minimal success of early detection. Some comp associated with multiple pregnancies are currently not comprehensively managed at all in Republic. In the Czech Republic, there is currently no generally accepted programme for the primary congenital developmental defects. Highly specialized care is not concentrated and uniforml Aim: Improving the effectiveness of prenatal diagnosis, developing a system for the implem screening in the Czech Republic, differentiation of congenital defects to those compatible incompatible with life, developing a system of long-term monitoring of children born with anomalies. The aim of the programme is to optimize care for severe foetal complications an prenatal complications that require a multidisciplinary approach and highly specialized di therapeutic methods. Ultimately, the programme aims at reducing the mortality and morbidit with congenital defects. • Foetoplacental pathology. Disorders in the development and function of the placenta have influence on stillbirth, neonatal morbidity and mortality. This is a heterogeneous group In most cases there is a development of clinical signs of disease in the mother or the f minimal treatment options. There are also new data pointing to negative psychomotor deve increased cardiovascular risk in children with an impaired placental function during the development. Aim: early identification of high risk groups of pregnant women (optimally in the first tr prevention of the development of clinical symptoms, determination of diagnostic procedures with early and late foetoplacental dysfunction, monitoring postnatal development of childr placental function. ****************************************************************************************** * P33 - Morphology, Biomechanics, Diagnostics and Management of Complex Injuries and Funct of the Spine, Pelvis, Extremities and Syntopic Adjacent Organs and Structures ****************************************************************************************** The PRVOUK research programme “Morphology, Biomechanics, Diagnostics and Management of Com and Functional Disorders of the Spine, Pelvis, Extremities and Syntopic Adjacent Organs an represents a systematic multidisciplinary approach to pathological conditions manifested i and subsequent functional disorders, caused either by external noxa or by disturbances in development and growth. The general theme of the programme focuses on research of healing tissues damaged by insult of various origin (especially mechanical, thermal, electrical et all accompanying phenomena. This theme requires the involvement of a wide range of discipl research in order to bring a comprehensive approach. The key disciplines providing the the basis for this field of research are anatomy and biomechanics, with some extensions and ov pathophysiology and other disciplines. The research programme will address the following i • Complex care for polytrauma patients • Treatment of congenital defects, degenerative and inflammatory diseases and injuries of • Treatment of injuries of the pelvis and acetabulum, including complications and permanen • Multidisciplinary care for consequences of pelvic floor injury • Mesenchymal locomotor tissue and supporting tissue substitutes (articular cartilage, bon • Complex care for geriatric patients with fractures in osteoporotic sites of extremity re • Research and treatment of traumatic functional spinal cord disorders • Use of muscle flaps in treatment of defects and infected injuries of the extremities • Reconstructive plexus and peripheral nerve surgery • Complex care for burn trauma The PRVOUK programme “Morphology, Biomechanics, Diagnostics and Management of Complex Inju Functional Disorders of the Spine, Pelvis, Extremities and Syntopic Adjacent Organs and St a broadly conceived and open programme for the research of pathological conditions concern apparatus and closely related structures. It will be based on clinical research drawing on done at the Centre for Integrated Study of the Pelvis (CISP), which has achieved excellent a high standard of outcomes. New directions in research will involve extending the problem areas of the locomotor apparatus, the axial skeleton (including the spine) and the extremi high-tech procedures will be employed in the programme, e.g. transplantation of cultivated cells in the form of chondrocytes or osteocytes, study of the potential and the increase o of bone healing, progress in burn treatment for new trauma, replantation of amputated extr others. Human resources will be the responsibility of the programme council, whose members – playi role – will be engaged in the programme throughout its entire duration. The programme will to other staff from cooperating faculties as well as to researchers from other institution potential for internationally applicable publications. ****************************************************************************************** * P34 - Psychoneuropharmacological Research ****************************************************************************************** Both basic and clinical research is conducted mostly at the 3rd Faculty of Medicine, in co the 1st Faculty of Medicine. Both basic and clinical research to design therapies is focused primarily on chronic pain, of drugs for the treatment of pain, addictology, hypoxia, the non-invasive and invasive tr spasticity (pumping systems, neurosurgery), as well as methods of neuromodulation (spinal stimulation of the motor cortex, stimulation of the occipital nerve for migraine treatment nerve stimulation). In the field of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques the research w possibility of using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat chronic depression, hallucinations and schizophrenia. The research also addresses the pathophysiol of severe neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and depres are complemented with epidemiological data. We will collaborate with the 1st Faculty of Medicine as follows: • Department of Physiology - possibility of influencing hypoxic conditions by different tr systems (nicotine, melatonin). • Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (Pain Medicine Centre), Department of Ne study of invasive neuromodulation techniques (stimulation of the cerebral motor cortex a nerve stimulation in the treatment of headaches, especially migraine); study of the appl of electrophysiological methods in the investigation and treatment of pain (rTMS, neurom radiofrequency). ****************************************************************************************** * P35 - Cardiovascular Research Programme ****************************************************************************************** The research programme "Invasive approaches to rescue or recovery of myocardium" (MSM00216 implemented 2005-11) has stimulated highly successful collaboration between Charles Univer schools (the 1st Faculty of Medicine and the 3rd Faculty of Medicine) which has led to a l publications in various international journals, including highly prestigious journals with impact factor. Staff from the two faculties have agreed not only to continue this collabor further develop and intensify it. The Cardiovascular Research Programme at the 2nd Faculty represent a continuation of the work done as part of the research programme of the Faculty Research Centre. The PRVOUK Cardiovascular Research Programme is therefore designed as a broad-based, open programme addressing cardiovascular diseases in all contexts. The basis of the programme w to be clinical research, which has given rise to excellent international results in the pr period: research will focus on acute coronary syndromes, coronary flow and myocardial infa percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, valvular diseases, diseases, cardiogenic shock, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, cardiac anesthesiology, t antithrombotic agents, advanced imaging methods (echocardiography, magnetic resonance imag tomography, etc.), and related areas. The new directions of the research will bring a focus on infections of the cardiovascular pharmacological treatment of hypertension (renal denervation), the anatomy of vascular acc of the arterial and venous vascular bed, cardiovascular pharmacology, etc. The cardiovascu at the 2nd Faculty of Medicine will be focused on the extension and validation of diagnost in invasive cardiology for adults and children. It will also be focused on evaluating the therapy provided to children with complex heart defects and experimental studies of the pa pulmonary hypertension. The core research team will consist of the programme council, whose members will be engage programme throughout its entire duration. The programme will be open to other staff from a faculties, with the goal of supporting staff and projects offering clear potential for int applicable publications in prestigious journals. These co-workers and their cardiovascular projects can be based on both clinical as well as preclinical and basic research fields. ****************************************************************************************** * P36 - Replacement, Support and Regeneration of Function of some Vital Tissues and Organs ****************************************************************************************** Acute and chronic diseases requiring various types of replacement and support for the func organs have significant implications in all fields of medicine, with a major impact on the of treatment. The programme is focused on various aspects of acute and chronic renal failu dysfunction, impaired liver function, as well as aspects of dysfunction of the vascular wa replacement. The main challenges include improvement of the biocompatibility of the materi dialysis treatment, optimization of therapeutic intervention for multiple organ dysfunctio sepsis, definition of new molecular therapeutic targets, and optimization of viral infecti transplant medicine. A specific research area involves the identification of selected path in experimental models and their validation under clinical conditions. More specifically, seek to identify biomarkers that will enable the earlier, more accurate, and more reliable selected pathological conditions (acute and chronic renal injury, aortic aneurysms) and mo related to the development and progression of selected pathological conditions (multiorgan sepsis, uremic toxicity, inflammatory response to dialyzer incompatibility) in an effort t effective and individualized therapeutic strategy. Regarding the regeneration and repair o research has focused on the characterization of stem cells and their application in cellul organ regeneration (liver, kidney, central nervous system, blood vessels). Another goal of involves research into the etiopathogenesis of failure of the above organs and alterations body as a result of dysfunction of these organs. Measures are being tested which could be development of serious dysfunction of the respective organ, and which could delay the need or have a beneficial effect on the fate of patients who have reached a stage requiring rep function. ****************************************************************************************** * P37 - New Procedures in Diagnostics and Therapy of Lifestyle Diseases and Diseases Conne Population Ageing ****************************************************************************************** This PRVOUK programme is focused on current issues facing medicine in the Czech Republic a The starting point of the programme is the interconnection between several factors: popula associated health problems, the increasing number of people suffering from lifestyle disea necessity to make rational use of funding to meet the needs of health care for the general These factors create a need to carry out intensive, effective and comprehensive research i line with the above-mentioned factors, the programme focuses on three basic areas in which Medicine in Hradec Králové has had a long and successful tradition: 1.Research in the sphere of lifestyle diseases affecting the cardiovascular system is focu of ischemic heart disease, sudden cardiac death and the specification of risks, as well pharmacological and pharmacological prevention of such events. Other spheres of research conditions for myocardium regeneration in experimental research and in clinical practice affecting the gastrointestinal system. 2.Research in the sphere of oncology and haemato-oncology is focusing on predicting the im toxicity of treatment, the importance of individual dosage regulation of medicaments, pr response to these medical procedures, as well as the probable impact of today’s diet and factors. 3.The problem of ageing and related health problems, including the study of regeneration o The research will focus on basic metabolic and molecular manifestations of ageing and on regeneration processes. An accompanying sphere of interest is the study of damage and re level of DNA, cells and organs, including possibilities to influence such processes. The research work in these three interconnected spheres is carried out by 13 working group ****************************************************************************************** * P38 - Biological Aspects of the Investigation of Human Movement ****************************************************************************************** The issue of human motoricity is investigated from the perspective of biomedical kinanthro exercise physiology and kinesiology) and biomechanics. The objective of the programme is t biomedical aspects of human movement including kinematic, structural and functional charac The research will cover three key areas: 1.Internal metabolic and biochemical processes which take place in the organism under cond physical load and/or hypo kinesis - exercise physiology; 2.Mechanical, structural and functional aspects – biomechanics; 3.The effects of physical load and motor activities on the human motor system in the conte phylogenesis and ontogenesis - kinesiology. In more specific terms, research will focus on the following areas: 1.Genetic and metabolic predispositions for human performance, including skeletal muscle m characteristics of body composition, and neuro-physiological mechanisms which play a key control of movement during various regimens of muscle activity, including risk states an states of the motor apparatus. Predominant approach: exercise physiology. 2.Structural response of tissues, organs and organ systems to the dynamic loading field, a develop the mathematical expression of rheological parameters of thermo-visco-elastic ti including their shape and special characteristics. Predominant approach: biomechanics. 3.Neural and neuro-physiological knowledge of movement control, anatomical-structural limi movement, knowledge of physiotherapy and clinical rehabilitation, including the patholog motor system and the limits of its optimization. Predominant approach: kinesiology. ****************************************************************************************** * P39 - Social Scientific Aspects of Human Movement Studies ****************************************************************************************** The programme includes the development of sub-branches of kinanthropology which research a influence of human movement on society. The programme will also investigate and clarify th faceted interrelations linking sport and other physical activities in current Czech societ the impacts upon these social relations caused by the Czech Republic’s membership of the E global trends in the development of sport. The accentuation of complex social scientific a kinanthropological research reflects the fact that the traditional mono-causal interpretat relations between the movement activities and their social benefits is inadequate to expla of these relations. Research within the programme will apply a variety of different methods – from meta-analys implemented in the Czech Republic and abroad, to the monitoring and evaluation of movement their experimental verification and interpretation via a triangular approach involving bot and qualitative data. The programme will also include the creation and standardization of methods, which will be constructed to allow comparison with the outcomes of previous Czech projects and the results of current international research. We will also collaborate direc partners outside the Czech Republic. ****************************************************************************************** * P40 - Drug Research ****************************************************************************************** The PRVOUK "Drug Research" programme constitutes a framework for the organization and inst of research activities at the Faculty of Pharmacy. It involves all aspects of contemporary sciences, employing a wide range of theoretical and experimental approaches to the study o as established pharmaceuticals, predominantly small molecules of organic origin, with the ameliorating pathological processes in the human body. Within the programme there are 24 specialist research groups dealing with virtually all as pharmaceutical research. These involve: • Syntheses of potential drugs and studies of their structure-activity relationships • Pharmaceutical analysis of drugs and other biologically active substances • Studies of medicinal plants and their therapeutically significant substances, assessment biological activities, toxicities and possibilities of biotechnological production • Studies of the pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs with focus on interactions with transpo biotransformation proteins • Use of polymers and special lipids for preparation of biodegradable, nanoparticle dosage targeted biodistribution of drugs • Analyses of factors determining the therapeutic value, consumption and necessity of drug introduction to clinical practice Detailed information can be found at the Faculty of Pharmacy Science Portal [ URL "http:// portal.faf.cuni.cz/en/"] . ****************************************************************************************** * P41 - Biology ****************************************************************************************** The Biology programme encompasses the research goals of the biology departments of the Fac The programme aims to foster high-quality research of living systems and support its inter impact. The ambition is to integrate molecular, biochemical, structural, bioinformatic and approaches in the study of the dynamics and plasticity of life, taking into account the wh its organizational levels. It was the multidisciplinarity of approaches which contributed increase in the Faculty’s research outputs and the growing international recognition of it groups. Cell and molecular biology research focuses on the roles and evolutionary origin of cellul such as mitochondria, on cell-to-cell communication both in single-cell organisms and in m development, on the mechanisms that viruses or cellular pathogens use to engage their host mechanisms governing cell pluripotency and differentiation. Integrative approaches charact of host-parasite interactions, animal communication, or animal and human behaviour. Severa part of broad international endeavours in genome research and in disease targeting project part of the programme is the research of processes and factors which affect biological div scales, starting from the genetic diversity of populations, including studies on the origi interspecies hybridization, up to the evolution of diversity on the global level. Seminal been made in the area of biodiversity changes which are brought about by biological invasi changes and anthropogenic factors. The programme also serves as a framework supporting technology transfer initiatives, shari in the application of molecular techniques and data processing, and for coordinating the u instrumentation. ****************************************************************************************** * P42 - Chemistry ****************************************************************************************** The programme encompasses the long-term research goals of the chemistry departments at the Science. It focuses on the design, synthesis and characterization of new molecular and sup systems usable in various applications. Research within the framework of this programme aims to develop: (i) highly selective cata important synthetic reactions; (ii) sensitive analytical methods for the characterization mixtures of biomolecules and other biologically active compounds; (iii) supramolecular and materials for applications in optoelectronics, photovoltaics and non-linear optics; (iv) c for medical imaging and radiodiagnostics; and (v) tumour suppressor and immunomodulatory c integral part of the programme is the study of the physico-chemical properties of prepared methods of molecular spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electrochemistry, diffraction, t hydrodynamic techniques, and methods of theoretical and computational chemistry. The programme unites a range of experts from the Faculty of Science chemistry departments covers all key chemistry disciplines. The interaction of these experts facilitates the eff interconnection of different methodological approaches, the efficient design of new compou and a significant contribution to our understanding of prepared systems. The programme als systematic collaboration with institutes at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic institutions abroad. Students of all chemistry degree programmes, especially of post-gradu Master’s degree programmes accredited at the Faculty of Science, are actively involved in ****************************************************************************************** * P43 - Geography ****************************************************************************************** Charles University is an internationally recognized institution in geographical research, all sub-fields of the discipline: physical geography, human geography, demography and geoi Research in these areas builds on long-term teaching and research traditions and establish teams organized around recognized scientists. Geographical research at Charles University the dynamic changes of natural and social systems and on the risks and hazards which are r changes. The University pursues internationally recognized basic and applied research in s e.g. flood risks, landslides, landscapes and land use/cover changes, international migrati regional changes, population studies, or remote sensing and modelling of landscape changes The Geography programme is built around several key priorities which go beyond the scope o projects operating on a national or international level: • Development of geographical concepts and methodological approaches is necessary in order the deeper integration of particular research areas across geographical disciplines and active involvement in interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary research. The focus on in approaches in research is of vital importance, as geography will play an active role in University Centre for the Study of Global Change. • Development of up-to-date research infrastructure in several areas is of key access to advanced research techniques, both for researchers and students. T the construction and upgrading of infrastructure for experimental field surv monitoring (e.g. rainfall runoff processes or landslides), laboratories for geomorphology, dendrochronology), precise field survey techniques (e.g. UAV geodetic measurements) or tools for advanced geoinformatic analyses, ranging and spatial databases to historical maps. • Internationalization of research is a tool for stimulating research progress international relevance of research. Besides participation in international programme also emphasizes support for focused joint research projects and in research networks and the global academic community. The aim is to enable an of Charles University teams with international partners to address promising research beyond the limits of existing formal schemes of cooperation. These priorities are supported by a focused human resources policy which is ba motivational funding, reflecting the quality of results achieved by research g researchers, opening up positions for post-docs and young researchers and prom students in the research teams. ****************************************************************************** * P44 - Geology ****************************************************************************** The programme reflects long-term research priorities at institutes and in labo section of the Faculty of Science. Drawing on the results of previous large-sc and reflecting current trends in geosciences, the programme is focused on inve processes in the lithosphere and the metabolism of substances in the upper sph The geology section of the Faculty is the only higher education institution (H which covers the full range of geoscience disciplines from basic geology to th specializations. The programme will focus on key areas in which researchers fr are actively publishing and achieving excellence at the international level: g processes in the orogenic zones, theoretical and experimental petrology, geome for understanding processes in the lithosphere and geomaterials, the evolution paleoecology, environmental geochemistry and mineralogy. These investigations equipment for the analysis of geomaterials as well as extensive international groups mainly from Europe and North America. The individual research activities will be carried out mainly in the areas of the Carpathians, which represent ideal natural laboratories for studying proce Because of our research collaboration with renowned laboratories abroad, numer also be implemented in other regions, such as North America (California, Utah) (Nicaragua), Africa (Zambia, Namibia) and Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, Siberia). Undergraduate and PhD students will participate in the research activities alo and staff of the geology section. The programme will enhance the interaction b and will lead to the formation of interdisciplinary research groups, which wil of the Centre for the Study of Global Change. ****************************************************************************** * P45 - Physics ****************************************************************************** The programme encompasses the entire range of current research activities purs at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. In accordance with the Faculty’s lo is focused on four principal research areas: • Condensed matter physics – new materials and technologies. Research efforts concentrated on the complex study of the inter-relations of real electronic, structures with bulk and surface physical properties of macroscopic and meso systems. Key areas of recent focus are spintronics, quantum criticality and superconductivity coexisting with magnetism. An integral part of the researc utilization of state-of-the-art methods of preparation and characterization with tailored physical properties. Researchers at the Faculty operate two la the Czech Materials Science Beamline at the ELETTRA Synchrotron in Trieste a Temperature Laboratories (http://mltl.eu) in Prague, which offers open acces involved in several large international collaborations such as CERN, FNAL an and astroparticle experiments. • Physical study of objects and processes in the solar system and in astrophys research involves the synthetic investigation of objects and processes in th universe by methods of theoretical and experimental physics, using modern ma computer modelling, and recent technologies. Our goal is to understand the s matter, fields and energy transfer in cosmology, astrophysics, solar-system meteorology. There is a rich tradition of productive and continuously developing internatio researchers and research teams at the Faculty. In addition to sophisticated ex the Faculty’s laboratories, we can also exploit the unique opportunities offer infrastructures (CERN, ILL, ESRF, ELLETRA, HZB, ISIS, etc.). ****************************************************************************** * P46 - Informatics ****************************************************************************** The core of the programme lies in basic research in various directions leading The programme covers all major areas of informatics (computer science) in whic previous, in many cases very successful, research: theoretical computer scienc discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, computational geometry, theory of fo computer graphics, software and distributed systems, database systems, and art In all areas with application potential, a major part of our research output w products. In predominantly theoretical areas, the output will be in the form o and conference proceedings. Besides the research work, we also plan to continu conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as participating in programme co conferences organized elsewhere. Our team members will also continue their edi journals and edit special issues of these journals published by well-known int International cooperation and participation of young researchers are very typi informatics, and so they will naturally form a major part of this programme. ****************************************************************************** * P47 - Mathematics ****************************************************************************** The Czech mathematical school is widely respected, not only within the Czech R international community. This programme involves mathematicians working at the the Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, whose research achi with those obtained by internationally renowned specialists in many fields of branches of research, Czech mathematicians are considered to be leaders in the The PRVOUK programme covers the following branches and fields of mathematics: particular real and complex analysis, functional analysis, theory of both ordi equations), mathematical stochastics (probability and mathematical statistics, and insurance mathematics), mathematical modelling and numerical mathematics ( analysis of partial differential equations, numerical computations and numeric mathematics (algebra, geometry, and mathematical logic), mathematical methods and history of mathematics. There are non-trivial overlaps among the disciplines outlined above – for exam differential equations or the theory of integrations lies in the sphere of int analysis and mathematical modelling. Also, the stochastic versions of these ar stochastics. The same holds for some branches of functional analysis. We can a interest for structural mathematics and mathematical analysis (e.g. differenti mathematical logic and the history of mathematics are of interest to any mathe ****************************************************************************** * P48 - Improvement of Modern Surgical Methods and Immunotherapy in Patients w ****************************************************************************** achieve reduced invasivity while maintaining oncological efficacy. Research al of surgery with systemic treatment modalities. Our hypothesis expects the effi be improved by the application of systemic active cell immunotherapy before an The goal of the programme is: • Incorporation of active cell immunotherapy into the treatment algorithm of s gynecological and urological tumours • Evaluation of the efficacy of less invasive surgical methods applied to thes will be reduced patient morbidity and maintained or improved oncological eff The PRVOUK programme provides the opportunity to continue research already car projects and to bring new information about the treatment of solid tumours. ****************************************************************************** * P49 - The Genetic Basis of Serious Pediatric Conditions ****************************************************************************** The functional network of clinical and research teams at the institutes and de Medicine enables us to carry out conceptual patient-oriented applied research substantially to increase knowledge in biomedical sciences. Within this contex the genetic basis of serious pediatric conditions. On the clinical level (concerning patients and their clinical data), we collab departments at all other faculties of medicine within the Czech Republic. The and departments the 2nd Faculty of Medicine include the Department of Pediatri and Clinical Genetics, the Department of Pediatric Surgery, the Department of and Adults, the Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, the neonatal sect Gynaecology and Obstetrics, the Department of Imaging Techniques, the Institut the Institute of Histology and Embryology, the Institute of Microbiology, and groups of the Faculty. The research projects are primarily focused on monogeni manifestation either prenatally, soon after the birth, or later during childho Establishing the genetic background contributes substantially to the individua the disease, enables presymptomatic diagnosis and/or genetic prevention among contributes to the general understanding of etiology, etiopathogenetic mechani phenotype link. The basic areas of interest include hereditary nephropathies, defects of cilia statural growth, beta-cell function and glycaemic regulation, development of h and inflammatory bowel diseases, studies on the genetics of autism and mental of hyperkinetic syndrome, clinical and molecular characteristics of RASopathie with undefined marker chromosome, studies in children with impaired hearing in determination of cleft lip and palate, research on novel biomarkers and their genetic determinants of inborn defects of the gastrointestinal tract, Hirschsp atresia and diaphragmatic hernia, research on fasciculus arcuatus tracts in dy of hip joint dysplasia, pedes equinovari and additional limb defects, research locomotion and genetic predisposition to arthrotic changes and local cartilagi somatic and neuropsychological development in children at developmental risk. genetics with specific impacts on monogenic conditions, the research is also p genetics and molecular epidemiology of pathogenic microorganisms in relation t (e.g. cystic fibrosis or type 1 diabetes). The selection of topics is clearly focused on the potential for individual ben patients and individual treatment decisions. However, the results will also ex knowledge in general terms.