Ondřej Jurček

I have started (supervised by Prof. Wimmer and Prof. Drašar) my early career by organic and enzymatic synthesis of biologically active analogues of juvenile hormones (juvenoids) and their application forms (juvenogens, conjugates with various vector molecules), promising compounds in treatment of insect pest species. This mostly synthetic period has imprinted me with the knowledge of organic and analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and with that related laboratory skills, trained me well in analytical thinking, and gave me an introduction to general practices of biological studies.

​

This period was followed by a second phase of my career (supervised by Prof. Kolehmainen, Prof. Wimmer and Prof. Drašar) in which I focused on preparation of prodrug systems consisting of steroid molecules and various drugs. Prodrug research has also brought me to studies of biological activity of conjugates prepared and to studies of their crystal structures ultimately leading to more in-depth solid-state studies on polymorphism of biologically active compounds.

 

Finally, in the third phase of my research career (supervised by Prof. Rissanen) I have broadened my knowledge of crystallography, crystal engineering, and chemistry of various derivatives of naturally occurring compounds such as cyclodextrins and bile acids. I have studied their non-covalent inter- and intra-molecular interactions as well as interactions with guest molecules by combination of various methods. This period forged me into supramolecular chemist. 

​

Later, I moved to Brno to work at the Masaryk University (MU) at the Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) in Brno, Czech Republic, in the group of Prof. Radek Marek. I was awarded by the prestigious SoMoPro grant from the South Moravian region jointly with Marie Skłodowska-Curie action from EU. Since 2022, I work at MU as an assistant professor affiliated to Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Department of Natural Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, and CEITEC. My current work combines the chemistry of isoprenoids (namely steroids, but also other natural compounds), supramolecular, material, and pharmaceutical chemistry.