Research Areas

Agriculture for a changing world. CATRIN explores how plants respond and adapt to their environment and turns this knowledge into solutions for more resilient and sustainable agriculture. Combining plant biology, biotechnology, advanced phenotyping, innovative chemistry and data-driven approaches, CATRIN scientists address challenges associated with climate change, food security and sustainable resource use.

Crop engineering and biotechnology are essential for developing the next generation of crops. Using modern molecular biology and new genomic techniques (NGTs), researchers improve crop resilience, productivity and quality. Advanced plant genetic transformation capabilities support the development and testing of crops with enhanced stress tolerance. Research also includes molecular farming, using plants to produce valuable compounds, including proteins with applications in human and animal health.

Understanding plant responses to environmental conditions is equally important. CATRIN operates Olophen, a semi-automated phenotyping platform capable of analysing thousands of plants under multifactorial stress conditions using non-invasive imaging. Combined with advanced sensing, artificial intelligence and data-driven analysis, these technologies help identify traits associated with crop resilience and performance.

Chemical biology and agrochemical development provide further opportunities to improve crop growth and resilience. Researchers develop plant growth regulators, agrochemicals and biostimulants, supported by high-throughput bioassays and automated phenotyping. The OpenAgTech analytical platform complements these activities through phytochemical profiling, crop quality assessment and the analysis of bioactive compounds and environmental contaminants.

Connecting scientific discoveries with agricultural practice is central to CATRIN’s approach. Through industry partnerships and technology transfer, researchers advance innovations ranging from improved crops to phenotyping and sensing technologies. Patents licensed to international companies and research-based spin-offs demonstrate the potential to bring innovations from the laboratory to the field, contributing to smarter, more resilient and sustainable agriculture.

CATRIN’s research in translational medicine combines nanotechnology, biomedicine and molecular biology to address the prevention and treatment of lifestyle diseases. Scientists develop unique materials and technologies for improved diagnosis and therapy of cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and rare genetic disorders. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CATRIN researchers developed iron-based magnetic particles that enable rapid isolation of RNA and DNA from biological samples. This technology is now used in diagnostic kits not only for COVID-19, but also for other viral infections. Another major research focus is combating bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Researchers are also developing new drug delivery systems, advanced imaging technologies and plasmonic biosensors that accelerate disease detection and improve treatment outcomes. In close collaboration across CATRIN, multifunctional nanoparticles and 2D materials are designed for targeted drug delivery, tumour imaging and real-time monitoring of biological processes. Rigorous toxicity testing ensures these materials are safe for clinical and commercial use.

At the same time, scientists study fundamental biological mechanisms underlying lifestyle diseases, particularly cellular responses to DNA damage and repair. These processes are central to cancer development and represent promising targets for novel therapies. High-capacity screening systems are being developed to assess the impact of various substances on DNA integrity in human cells, bridging basic research with applications that offer strong commercial potential.

CATRIN combines advanced materials research with a vision of sustainable energy systems. Scientists develop innovative materials for the efficient conversion, storage and utilisation of renewable energy. New hybrid systems based on photoactive semiconductors and carbon nanomaterials enable the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy through processes such as water splitting and photoelectrocatalysis, supporting the production of clean hydrogen.

Another distinctive approach is the synergistic combination of strategies that significantly enhance (photo)electrocatalytic efficiency. The resulting materials feature optimised structure and functionality, improved light absorption, enhanced charge transfer and faster surface reactions—key properties for next-generation solar cells and hydrogen production technologies.

Energy storage research is equally important. Leveraging deep expertise in 2D graphene chemistry, CATRIN researchers have developed graphene derivatives with exceptional potential for batteries and supercapacitors. Nitrogen-doped graphene, in particular, shows outstanding performance in supercapacitors, offering fast charging and long service life compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Within the European Innovation Council TRANS2DCHEM project, researchers developed a prototype device with unique properties. To bring these results to market, the spin-out company Atomiver has been established.

The development of advanced materials is one of CATRIN’s strongest research pillars, with internationally recognised results. In 2010, CATRIN scientists contributed to the discovery of fluorographene, followed by the development of 2D chemistry, enabling a broad portfolio of derivatives with tunable physical, chemical and mechanical properties. These materials are applicable in biomedicine, sensing, energy, electronics and surface protection. More information is available at graphene-derivatives.com.

Another important area of research is the development of plasmonic materials capable of harnessing light energy with exceptional efficiency. CATRIN researchers focus particularly on titanium nitride nanostructures, which offer a more affordable alternative to precious metals. Their unique optical properties open up new opportunities in photocatalysis, hydrogen production, the chemical industry, sensing and biomedicine. Notable achievements include the development of solar nanofurnaces capable of converting sunlight into heat, as well as novel catalysts that use light to enable more environmentally friendly conversion of biomass into raw materials for bioplastics production.

Another key research focus is titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotubes, whose structure and properties can be precisely tailored for specific applications. These materials show particular promise in solar energy utilisation, photocatalytic hydrogen production and the removal of pollutants from water. One example is the development of light-driven nanorobots based on TiO₂ nanotubes, which can efficiently capture microplastics in aquatic environments. This research contributes to the development of innovative technologies for a cleaner environment and more sustainable energy.

CATRIN has long-standing expertise in the development and functionalisation of magnetic nanoparticles. Through controlled chemical modification, researchers tailor nanoparticles for highly specific applications, ranging from biomolecule separation and industrial purification to diagnostics and analytics. Nanoparticles can be customised to partner requirements, including highly selective protein separation from complex matrices.

Successful technology transfer is demonstrated by two licensing agreements for lactoferrin separation from cow’s milk and whey, linking CATRIN’s research excellence with the needs of the food and biotechnology industries.

CATRIN applies advanced nanotechnologies to water treatment, developing systems based on reactive iron nanoparticles for wastewater and groundwater remediation. In the NANOBIOWAT project, researchers demonstrated how close cooperation between academia and remediation companies enables direct industrial application. These technologies have already been deployed at several contaminated sites in the Czech Republic and abroad.

One concrete outcome is a preparation based on iron nanoparticles designed for emergency water purification. Effervescent tablets rapidly remove hexavalent chromium, arsenic, herbicides, pesticides and other pollutants from water.

Alongside applications, CATRIN conducts fundamental research into nanomaterial interactions with living systems and their long-term environmental behaviour, including the influence of natural organic matter on water purification performance.

Another major research focus at CATRIN is advanced sensing, which draws on unique graphene materials developed by CATRIN researchers and the latest single-atom engineering techniques. The ability to tailor material properties at the level of individual atoms opens up entirely new possibilities for developing highly sensitive and selective sensors. In a significant breakthrough, CATRIN researchers have developed a new generation of graphene inks by incorporating individual metal atoms into the material. They demonstrated that selecting a specific metal atom can influence the sensitivity and selectivity of a sensor, paving the way for a new approach known as atomic sensing. Building on this principle, CATRIN researchers have developed low-cost printed sensors capable of detecting substances such as dopamine, which is important in neurodegenerative disease research, as well as selected antibodies. The technology holds considerable potential for making medical diagnostics more accessible and accurate, with further applications in food quality control and environmental monitoring.