BIOCEV is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It helps develop new drugs and educate students

The celebrations, hosted by science journalist and science communicator Pavla Hubálková, took place in three segments.

The first session featured Petra Pecková, Governor of the Central Bohemian Region; Dana Bilíková, Director General of the Higher Education, Science, and Research Section at the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports; Miroslava Anděrová, Vice President of the Czech Academy of Sciences; Jiří Zima, Rector of Charles University; and Tibor Švec, Mayor of Vestec.

“Over the course of its ten-year existence, BIOCEV has become a symbol of the successful integration of cutting-edge science, modern infrastructure, and collaboration between the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University. It confirms that long-term support for excellent research leads to discoveries and innovations that elevate Czech science to the European and global level,” says Radomír Pánek, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

“Ten years of collaboration between Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences demonstrate that combining excellent university education with cutting-edge research yields extraordinary results. Since its inception, BIOCEV has established itself as a respected scientific center not only in the Czech Republic but also on the international stage. It has contributed significantly to the development of biomedical and biotechnology research, been involved in hundreds of cutting-edge scientific publications, and, at the same time, nurtured a new generation of young scientists and experts who will shape the future of Czech science in the coming decades,” says Jiří Zima, Rector of Charles University.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Disease

The second panel presented five major research programs. They all share a common goal: to bridge the gap between basic research (the study of how nature works) and practical applications—such as the development of drugs and new treatment methods.

“Cancer, heart disease, and dangerous viruses and infections pose a huge threat. In the past, scientists could only describe these diseases; they didn’t know their exact cause. Today, we can see right into the interior of cells, down to the level of individual molecules. We understand exactly where the error occurs, and thanks to that, we can design a tailor-made drug,” explains Pavel Martásek, scientific director of the BIOCEV center.

A Crossroads of Science in the Heart of Europe

At the conclusion of the ceremony, ten distinguished individuals received special awards for their contributions to the establishment and development of the BIOCEV center. Among them were, for example, former presidents of the Academy of Sciences Václav Pačes and Jiří Drahoš, immunologist Václav Hořejší, former rector of Charles University Tomáš Zima, and microbiologist Peter Šebo.

“Thanks to the BIOCEV center, we’ve brought together engineering, the natural sciences, and medicine,” concludes Scientific Director Pavel Martásek. “Cutting-edge science needs the best equipment and smart people. We have both. What’s more, our experts pass on their experience to students and nurture a new generation of scientists. I believe we will continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge and make Czech science renowned around the world.”

Official BIOCEV Press Release in Czech HERE