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Cell inclusions in microscopic eukaryotes
Pilátová, Jana
This thesis reports, for the first time, a systematic study identifying various cell inclusions across the broad diversity of all major eukaryotic supergroups. Raman microspectroscopy technique was employed as a powerful technique, which is becoming the method of the first choice for such studies. In Chapter 1, the spatial reconstruction of chloroplasts of the unicellular zygnematophyte Cylindrocystis sp. (Streptophyta) revealed "empty spaces" inside. Subsequent analysis showed massive accumulations of polyphosphate, which is not located in the cytoplasm as in other species, but inside the chloroplasts. This newly discovered ability of the zygnematophytes, a sister group of terrestrial plants, to accumulate polyphosphate leads us to speculate about a possible adaptation to extreme Arctic conditions or even a preadaptation leading to plant terrestrialization. Chapter 2 summarizes the serendipitous discovery of purine crystalline inclusions in dinoflagellates and other microalgae. Investigated dinoflagellate species comprised zooxanthellae, the endosymbionts of reef-building corals, and the species causing toxic algal blooms. Purine crystals were further shown to act as dynamic high-capacity nitrogen storage. To show how widespread purine inclusions are, a revision of crystalline inclusions in all...
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Cell inclusions in microscopic eukaryotes
Pilátová, Jana ; Schwarzerová, Kateřina (advisor) ; Gierlinger, Notburga (referee) ; Prášil, Ondřej (referee)
This thesis reports, for the first time, a systematic study identifying various cell inclusions across the broad diversity of all major eukaryotic supergroups. Raman microspectroscopy technique was employed as a powerful technique, which is becoming the method of the first choice for such studies. In Chapter 1, the spatial reconstruction of chloroplasts of the unicellular zygnematophyte Cylindrocystis sp. (Streptophyta) revealed "empty spaces" inside. Subsequent analysis showed massive accumulations of polyphosphate, which is not located in the cytoplasm as in other species, but inside the chloroplasts. This newly discovered ability of the zygnematophytes, a sister group of terrestrial plants, to accumulate polyphosphate leads us to speculate about a possible adaptation to extreme Arctic conditions or even a preadaptation leading to plant terrestrialization. Chapter 2 summarizes the serendipitous discovery of purine crystalline inclusions in dinoflagellates and other microalgae. Investigated dinoflagellate species comprised zooxanthellae, the endosymbionts of reef-building corals, and the species causing toxic algal blooms. Purine crystals were further shown to act as dynamic high-capacity nitrogen storage. To show how widespread purine inclusions are, a revision of crystalline inclusions in all...
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The Potential Use of the Eustigmatophyceae In the Production of Biofuels
Pilátová, Jana ; Němcová, Yvonne (advisor) ; Pichrtová, Martina (referee)
The eustigmatophytes - yellow-green microalgae - are well known for their high lipid content which is constituted by high amounts of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This, combined with their high growth rate and an exceptionally high adaptability, makes them very promising feedstock for the biofuels production. In this bachelor thesis the role of eustigmatophytes in the production of biofuels is depicted with consideration of the issue of various cultivation conditions effects on the lipid content and composition. The first review of fatty acid distribution in eustigmatophytes ever reported is provided herein. Thus this work might be tentatively contributing to the strain selection issue - one of the most discussed topics in the biofuels field. The fatty acid distribution is qualitatively and quantitatively changed under various chemical and physical stress conditions. Thus the impact of nitrogen and phosphorous availability alongside with light intensity or temperature on lipid changes are presented. In addition, the process of fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis is briefly outlined. Recent genetic engineering trends and successes are also mentioned, such as the implementation of high-efficiency homologous recombination to...
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Copper metabolism in pathogenic eukaryotic microorganisms
Doležalová, Taťána ; Šuťák, Róbert (advisor) ; Pilátová, Jana (referee)
Copper is an essential trace element for almost every living organism. Its fundamental role in metabolism is caused by the redox properties of this metal. Owing to that it is a vital cofactor of many enzymes participating in cell energy metabolism as well as in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. Nevertheless, too high copper concentration can damage the cells. The toxic effect of copper is manifested usually as the production of hydroxyl radicals distorting the cell structures. It can also damage Fe-S clusters that are essential for many enzymes. To avoid toxic manifestations the cell must balance on the edge of proper copper import and regulated export. Many specialized transporters and ATPases serve exclusively for copper transport. There are also known metallochaperones binding the potentially toxic metals and transporting them to the target protein. An interesting role in metabolism is played by the metallothioneins that bind cytosolic copper. Understanding copper homeostasis in pathogenic organisms reveals many interesting possibilities for better targeted treatment. For example, diseases caused by opportunistic fungi like Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus or Cryptococcus neoformans contribute significantly to the deaths of immunodeficient patients. Some copper metabolism...
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Phenolic substances in algae
Ráček, Jan ; Pichrtová, Martina (advisor) ; Pilátová, Jana (referee)
Phenolic substances are considered to be a group of secondary metabolites, known primarily from land plants (Embryophyta). Their function is to absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation, to protect plants from grazing and to attract pollinators and seed spreaders. However, these compounds have also been reported in some phylogenetically unrelated algal groups, the most important of which are brown algae (Phaeophyceae), siphonous green algae from the Dasycladaceae family and conjugating algae (Zygnematophyceae). The aim of this work is to summarize the current knowledge about phenolic compounds of these groups with an emphasis on their significance for the biology of the species. The first part describes phenolic compounds in general and also outlines the way they are biosynthesized. The next chapters then deal with the three algae groups. The most explored ones in this area are brown algae, which contain a unique type of tannins called phlorotannins in their thallus. This is followed by green siphonous algae from the family Dasycladaceae, which synthesize sulphated coumarins and then conjugating algae in which gallic acid-based phenolic compounds have been found. The common feature of these substances is, as with land plants, the ability to absorb radiation from the ultraviolet part of the spectrum and...
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If the Anger Dances
Cieslarová, Olga Věra ; PILÁTOVÁ, Jana (advisor) ; KOUBOVÁ, Alice (referee)
My doctoral thesis If the Anger dances - Fasnacht in Basel and the Velvet
Carnival of Prague continues on topics, already researched for my master
thesis and published as Fasnacht – a carnival in Basel in 2013. Now I deeply
analyse the evolution of masks (Laarve) and a stream of inner revolt (Wilde
Fasnacht). As well I show evolution of Fasnacht since the end of 19th century into
the present form that grew into some archaic characteristics. From outside looks
Fasnacht as a firmly structured ritual, but from inside shows an extraordinary
ability of inner changes and flexibility. By presenting different forms of changes I
tend to find principles that keep Fasnacht alive in the modern times.
Since six years, throughout my whole doctoral studies, I devoted myself to
organise the Velvet Carnival in Prague, a carnevalesque celebration that is
directly inspired by Basler Fasnacht. At the end of my thesis I am presenting
basic elements we transferred from the original and try to evaluate how those
elements live in the new background.
In the context of Basel and Prague I thematise a creative potential of anger that
can be manifested in an artistic way. So do I show Fasnacht and Velvet Carnival
as a cultivated form of middle-age Rough music and as a creative manifestation
of active citizenship.
Part of my thesis is a documentary film Beneath the mask, there is darkness
(made by Viola Ježková) and a book of 5 Years of The Velvet Carnival.
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Happening
Rybníčková, Alena ; PILÁTOVÁ, Jana (advisor) ; HANČIL, Jan (referee)
In this thesis I inquire into the nature and possibilities of happenings as they were practiced in the years 2010–2014 especially by political activists, who regard them as an attractive means of drawing attention to various issues. I designate these types of happenings as political happenings, analysing and interpreting their nature with the help of examples taken from my own experience.
What I see as most important is the attitude to happenings, which should be based in intention and play, as opposed to being solely guided by purpose. I consider purpose as a rational con-struct, a firm point outside the happening as such, which takes one’s mind off the event itself and tends to turn it into propaganda. For this reason I recommend to take purposes only as reference points, focusing instead on the event itself. This can be greatly facilitated by play, which frees us from the pursuit of external aims, allowing us to abide in the situation here and now. In this way both the activist and the spectator are given the opportunity to step back, gain ease, and to liberate themselves from the all too binding feeling of responsibility for the result. Of course, one cannot stay content with play, for to do so would be to turn the happening into an aimless practical joke with no proper form, and thus with little appeal. Instead, the happen-ing needs to be guided by the activist’s intention which mediates between purpose and play. Intention is a process which take purpose as its point of reference, but unlike it is grounded in the present moment and is ready to change as the situation itself develops.
Next I analyse the symbolic level of happenings, which thanks to its openness belongs to the world of play. The fact that symbols cannot be reduced to a single meaning limits their poten-tial for communication and makes them unsuitable for expressing a clear purpose, but this very fact incites the spectators to more active types of communication. A symbol does not exist in itself, it is always a part of a wider network of symbolic associations. By acting within it, the participants themselves also become parts of this network. In this way symbols come alive in human body, gestures and movements, evoking feelings and attitudes. This type of communi-cation is psychosomatic, influencing our embodied stance which forms the matrix of our con-scious attitudes. Thanks to this, symbolic action can influence both actors and spectators on a level that would be hard to reach solely by verbal explanations.
I also examine the satirical structure of happenings, which I describe as being constituted by the relation of the dominant and the subversive pattern. In addition to this I show that good satire does not just deride but is self-reflexive as well.
For an organizer of happenings it is useful to be one’s own spectator. It does not matter if the spectators do not notice all the details. What matters is whether the actors pay sufficient atten-tion to them. If they do, the effect of every single detail does not get lost even if it is not actual-ly “seen” by anyone. A happening requires the confidence that a well performed event is mean-ingful even this meaning is not easy to point out. Only with this kind of attitude will it be well grounded in its actors, and there will be a chance that it gets caught on in the spectators and will contribute to a change in their personal attitude.
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The concept and reception of an authorial performance
Mikulska, Olga ; PILÁTOVÁ, Jana (advisor) ; ČECHOVÁ, Eva (referee)
This thesis focuses on defining the term „group authorial performance“ based on author‘s experiences gained while performing and discussing an authorial play Caza casasueños during the artistic project Authorial Theatre in a community without theatre awareness that took place in Colombia, in July and August 2016. It shows the origins of the idea and emphasizes the continuous process of creating authorial performance achieved through specific relation between authors-actors and spectators.
In the main part author describes the reactions and feedback received from the Guadalupean participants of the project. By adducing experiences with audience from other places in Colombia, the author shows how the performance was changing and underlines the influence of culture on a general human way of perceiving reality.
At the end, the author reflects on the manner of forming a group authorial performance in relation to the works and thoughts of great theatre creators: Augusto Boal, Eugenio Barba and Jerzy Grotowski.
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Across the border
Hornáčková, Heidi ; PILÁTOVÁ, Jana (advisor) ; ŽIŽKA, Tomáš (referee)
This text deals with the beginnings of a long-term project taking place in the border area of Kladské pomezí. It tracks the development of various theatrical approaches and their influence on local culture. It is structured into four main chapters. The first one attempts to briefly describe the natural conditions inherent for the area and it explains the local conception of the term "border". Chapter two focuses on practical realization of initial artistic activities in the area. Using various projects as examples, it maps their influence, which became a part of the creative process in this project. Chapter three examines in detail an artistic residency, the methods its participants used in rehearsals and various metaphors for crossing the borders. Chapter four tries to discuss in detail the preparation phase of the Symposium as well as the event itself. The peak of the residency was a meeting on the theme of landscape and this was also the closing event of the first year of activity in Kladské pomezí. In the end of this text, the author tries to summarize her views on the completed projects, assess their significance for the planned continuation and outline the intended direction of deepening borderactivities.
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