Within this project we study genetic aspects of biosynthesis of natural compounds with anticancer activities produced by some species of the genus Hypericum (St. John´s wort) and their biological effects – mutagenic/antimutagenic on experimental biological models and anticancer on cancer cell lines.

The objective in the field of genetic aspects of biosynthesis of bioactive substances in Hypericum spp. is to prove functionof the hyp-1 gene supposed to be involved in hypericin biosynthesis
and identification of other genes and transcripts with proposed role in biosynthesis of hyperforin
and flavonoids, genetic characterisation of selected taxons and establishment of kryobank. Anticancer effects of hyperforin will be studied after determination its mutagenic/antimutagenic activity.

Team of Professor Eva Čellárová (P. J. Šafárik University in Košice)

• Establishment of in vitro regeneration system for some representatives of the genus Hypericum and cytogenetic and biochemical screening;
• Determination of chemical profile of bioactive substances in the representatives of the genus Hypericum;
• Proving the function of the candidate hyp-1 gene in biosynthesis of hypericin;
• Characterisation of the rate of dehydration tolerance of shoot tips of H. perforatum
  and determination of a relation between rate of cooling and viability of cells;
• Determination of reproduction patterns for selected taxons;
• Establishment of transformation system;
• Characterisation of expression of genes potentially involved in biosynthesis of hyperforin
  and flavonoids, respectively;

Team of Professor Daniel Vlček(Comenius University in Bratislava) and Dr. Ivan Chalupa (Cancer Research Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava)

• Determination of a potential mutagenic/antimutagenic effect of hyperforin;

Team of Professor Peter Fedoročko (P. J. Šafárik University in Košice)

• Determination of an activation pattern of unexplored signalling pathways participating in cell death processes triggered by hypericin or hyperforin;
• To identify a relation between anticancer as well as pro-apoptotic actions of hyperforin
  and GDF-15 expression;
• Evaluation of several patterns of combined therapy;

Team of assoc. Professor Marek Dudáš (P. J. Šafárik University in Košice)

• To determine the efficiency of above mentioned therapeutical modalities in cultured embryonic tissues.