Tomas Martak Email & Phone Number

Leimen, Bw, De

Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Working on antibody-oligonicleotide barcoding in the Saka lab at the Genome Biology Unit at EMBL Heidelberg.

Prague, Czechia

The organisation Czexpats in Science aims to connect Czech scientists living abroad, as well as to provide a socialisation and networking platform for those who have returned back to Czechia. As a member of our Advocacy team, I work with our other team members to try and improve conditions for expats and international scientists at Czech institutions. This is done through a mix of brainstorming, in-depth research, and lobbying.I am also a co-organiser of the traditional Czexpats… Show more The organisation Czexpats in Science aims to connect Czech scientists living abroad, as well as to provide a socialisation and networking platform for those who have returned back to Czechia. As a member of our Advocacy team, I work with our other team members to try and improve conditions for expats and international scientists at Czech institutions. This is done through a mix of brainstorming, in-depth research, and lobbying.I am also a co-organiser of the traditional Czexpats Christmas Conference (Konference pod stromeček), where I contact speakers and help flesh out the event. Show less

As a YODA mentor I aim to guide and assist a Czech high school student each year. My activities mainly consist of (but aren't limited to) helping students plan and realise an ambitious personal/outreach project, essay writing, personal improvement, and finally giving them tips and guidance to help them ponder how they want to continue after high school.

Prague, Czechia

As a scientist at Terasom s.r.o., I helped design and troubleshoot, as well as work on, a wide range of projects, both independently and collaboratively. These projects ranged from molecular biology (protein and nucleic acid manipulation, cell culture and spheroid generation, ELISA assays) through biophysics (FPLC techniques) to bioinformatics (applying Python, R, and shell scripting to outputs of current projects and needs - e.g. Mass Spectrometry/ChIP-seq data analysis, image analysis, and… Show more As a scientist at Terasom s.r.o., I helped design and troubleshoot, as well as work on, a wide range of projects, both independently and collaboratively. These projects ranged from molecular biology (protein and nucleic acid manipulation, cell culture and spheroid generation, ELISA assays) through biophysics (FPLC techniques) to bioinformatics (applying Python, R, and shell scripting to outputs of current projects and needs - e.g. Mass Spectrometry/ChIP-seq data analysis, image analysis, and web scraping). Show less

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

As a part of my MRes degree, I worked on a 6-month mixed dry/wet lab research project in Neil Bulleid's lab.Topic: - Dry lab (March-June): In silico assessment and examination of putative interactions between certain SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins (NSPs) and cellular transport machinery. - Wet lab (June-September): In vitro validation of previously-generated in silico models.Further information: I designed this structural biology project to assess whether and… Show more As a part of my MRes degree, I worked on a 6-month mixed dry/wet lab research project in Neil Bulleid's lab.Topic: - Dry lab (March-June): In silico assessment and examination of putative interactions between certain SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins (NSPs) and cellular transport machinery. - Wet lab (June-September): In vitro validation of previously-generated in silico models.Further information: I designed this structural biology project to assess whether and how NSPs of interest may interact with themselves and a member of cellular transport machinery. I started with an extensive literature review of the topic and assaying NSP sequences for phylogenetic conservation (NCBI BLAST, Jalview, Benchling). This was followed by accessing and choosing the most appropriate and best quality existing structures of the NSPs in question (PyMOL, Consurf). The selected structures were then used to generate protein:protein or protein:RNA interaction models via molecular docking to assess and characterise potential interactions preceding the start of in vitro studies (HDOCK, ClusPro, PRODIGY + HADDOCK2.4, CONSRANK). I continued with wet lab work, generating stably-transfected target SARS-CoV-2 NSP-expressing cell lines and probing NSP interactions by treating transfected cells with chemical crosslinkers (DSS, formaldehyde). Results were analysed via immunoblotting, 35S-Met/Cys assays and phosphorimaging, and silver staining as a preparation for future Mass Spec analysis. While most of the protocols I followed were pre-established, I designed transfection vectors for my experiments, as well as two primers for exchanging NSP epitope tags using PCR. I further worked on developing a formaldehyde-crosslinking protocol to treat cells, as well as optimising conditions for immunoblotting using novel antibodies. Show less

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Graduated with First Class Honours

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Topic: I worked in Professor John Christie's lab on elucidating the effects of a single residue LOV2 domain mutation in Phototropin I on its kinase activity in vitro and in vivo. Techniques used: site-directed mutagenesis, plasmid bulk-up and miniprep; in vitro kinase assay using gatekeeper technology, Arabidopsis seeding (pots, MS agar), protein extraction, confocal microscopy (chloroplast positioning), Western blot and development.

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

During my undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow, I have had the privilege of obtaining financial support from a highly-competitive scholarship from the Kellner Family Foundation. This is a yearly scholarship aimed primarily at Czech students studying abroad which supports them throughout their undergraduate degree while giving them an opportunity to further develop their hobbies and interests beyond mere dreams and ideas.

District Brno-City, Czech Republic

Topic: I worked in Prof. Mary O'Connell's lab on examining the potential effectiveness of two drugs on the inhibition of ADAR1, an enzyme found to be active in reduced levels in an African ethnic group resistant to malaria. Responsibilities: work in molecular biology, cell culture, presenting my project in lab meetings, and assisting other members of the lab.

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Topic: I worked on the in silico design and subsequent expression of an independently foldable construct of a structurally important segment of the Arabidopsis PRC2 complex. This project was supported by the Glasgow University Head of College Scholars' List Scheme (HOCLS), a programme started by Prof. Anna Dominiczak to enable the top 10% students in the college of Medical, Vetinary, and Life Sciences (MVLS) to achieve a competitive summer scholarship to fund their first research experience in… Show more Topic: I worked on the in silico design and subsequent expression of an independently foldable construct of a structurally important segment of the Arabidopsis PRC2 complex. This project was supported by the Glasgow University Head of College Scholars' List Scheme (HOCLS), a programme started by Prof. Anna Dominiczak to enable the top 10% students in the college of Medical, Vetinary, and Life Sciences (MVLS) to achieve a competitive summer scholarship to fund their first research experience in one of the participating laboratories.Responsibilities: work in molecular biology, microbiology, and structural biology. The project was concluded with a presentation I gave under the HOCSLS. Show less

Mres, Biomedical Sciences, Distinction

Activities and Societies: My activities this year included acting as vice captain of the Glasgow University Karate Club, which mainly.

Biochemistry, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology, First Class Honours

Activities and Societies: Class representative throughout my undergraduate studies (4 years) GU Karate Club Treasurer (3rd year).

Maturita, Biology And Chemistry, 1 (A)

Activities and Societies: DofE Gold Award, EYP Czech Republic, KVS Plzeň Water Polo Biologie (Biology) - 1 (A) Chemie (Chemistry) - 1 (A).