Mgr. Mária Tomková, PhD.

I am a scientific researcher with a background in the field of protein evolution and molecular biology. My current affiliation is with the University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Košice, Slovakia, where I work as a Scientific Researcher in the Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences. My primary research focus is on directed evolution, specifically its application in the development of therapeutic proteins. I am particularly interested in optimizing thrombolytic agents, with a current emphasis on staphylokinase (SAK).

Current position:
Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia (01/01/2021 – Present)
Research Focus: Protein Engineering
Key Research Areas: Directed Evolution Methods – Ribosome Display, Yeast Display, Protein Expression and Purification, Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques

Previous positions:
Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Center SAS, Bratislava, Slovakia (08/2018 – 15/02/2021)
Research Focus: Molecular Biology
Key Research Areas: Isolation of RNA, microRNA, DNA, protein, and exosome isolation from human tissues and cell cultures, Gene expression quantification using real-time PCR, Study of gene expression regulation at the microRNA level, Protein quantification using Western blot, Supervision of graduate students, Procurement of laboratory materials and equipment

IMUNA PHARM, Šarišské Michaľany, Slovakia (01/2014 – 10/2016)
Key Responsibilities: Department leadership, project preparation and management, infrastructure development; Collaboration with the Quality Department in drug registration; Implementation of modern technological manufacturing processes in GMP and GLP conditions; Vaccine development; Development and implementation of modern technological manufacturing processes in GMP and GLP conditions; Development of analytical methods

Education:
PhD Degree at the Laboratory for the Study of Mitochondrial Disorders, KDDL 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague (2006 – 2015)
Research areas: DNA/RNA, protein and lymphocyte isolation, sequencing, RFLP and HRM analysis, targeted mutagenesis of recombinant DNA; DNA diagnostics, implementation and optimization of new diagnostic methods
Dissertation topic: Cytochrome P450 Reductase, Structural-Functional Study of Antley-Bixler Syndrome

Master’s Degree from the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague (2000 – 2006)
Field of Study: Biology, Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics
Thesis: Hereditary Hemochromatosis, the Most Common Genetic Disorder in the Caucasian Population