About our research
During the ongoing search for new talents and future scientific leaders, IOCB has adopted a progressive system of Junior groups with gifted young scientists from all around the world, making it a unique case among academic institutes in the Czech Republic. Once selected in an international competition, following the selection committee's recommendation and aided by the International Advisory Board, the new group leaders are supported by the institute with a startup package necessary to establish the new group, fixed salary resources, equipped laboratory space, and services.
All the groups undergo a comprehensive evaluation every five years by the IAB, which adheres to strictly transparent rules based on scientific merit. Depending on the evaluation, Junior groups may be promoted to Senior or terminated.
The exceptional categories of Distinguished and Honorary Chair groups are no longer subject to periodic evaluation, as their long-term achievements are outstanding – they represent an equivalent to a permanent position.
In addition, IOCB also supports Joint research laboratories established in collaboration with strategic university partners.
All research groups are supported by a network of Core facilities.
Our disciplines
Embracing various perspectives and approaches in organic chemistry and biochemistry, including insights from biology, physics, and mathematics, enhances the understanding of the complexity of living systems and addresses big questions in the life sciences.
Research at IOCB is organized into three main clusters of interconnected disciplines: CHEM, BIO, and PHYS.
CHEM cluster
The CHEM cluster encompasses organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, natural products chemistry, chemical biology, bioconjugate chemistry, drug design and discovery, photochemistry, materials chemistry, and nanochemistry.
BIO cluster
The BIO cluster encompasses biochemistry, molecular, structural and cell biology, virology, biochemical pharmacology, physiology, chemical ecology, bioinformatics, and more.
PHYS cluster
The theoretical and computational chemistry groups focus on the application of modern quantum chemical and molecular modeling methods to study problems of high chemical and biological relevance. The spectroscopy/analytical chemistry groups specialize in molecular spectroscopy, analytical chemistry, separation science, electrochemistry, advanced microscopy, mass spectrometry, and NMR/EPR spectroscopy.