Biosketch
Marcela Hortová Kohoutková, Ph.D. is currently working as Principal Investigator in the Cellular and Molecular Immunoregulation team (@FricLab) at International Clinical Research Center ICRC FNUSA (@FNUSA_ICRC) in Brno, Czech Republic. She obtained PhD in 2020 at Masaryk University.
Marcela is a researcher with great experience in the field of translation immunology and inflammation, especially in the biology of innate immune cells and their contribution to serious septic shock. Together with Jan Frič, Marcela established European consortium BEATsepsis, investigating the various aspects of immune system in sepsis, awarded by Horizon Europe, Research and Innovation Action (RIA) to tackle long-term consequences of sepsis (2024-2028).
Research profile
Marcela authored the studies addressing the changes of monocytes subsets and PMNs together with their activation status in patients affected by septic shock, identifying them as novel predictive markers for early death in ICU. These markers can be used for early stratification of patients, who will not respond for conventional therapy and are candidates for personalized treatment at the time of patient admission to ICU. She also authored a review addressing the role of phagocytosis in the outcome of septic shock. Marcela wrote a manuscript dealing with the metabolic choices of immune cells.
Main research questions:
Which innate immune functions critically influence the outcome of sepsis and septic shock, and how can they be leveraged for improved patient stratification and treatment?
How does metabolic reprogramming of immune cells contribute to the progression and long-term consequences of sepsis?
Marcela’s current research focuses on understanding the immune system’s role in sepsis progression, its long-lasting consequences, and how metabolic reprogramming of immune cells impacts the pathophysiology of sepsis. Additionally, she also explores the factors which affect resolution of inflammation.
European consortium BEATsepsis, which she co-founded and coordinate is investigating the various aspects of immune system in sepsis progression and tackling long-term consequences of sepsis.
Positions and training
2023 – Present: Principal Investigator in Cellular and Molecular Immunoregulation team, ICRC FNUSA.
2018 – 2023: Postdoctoral researcher in Cellular and Molecular Immunoregulation team, ICRC FNUSA.
Contributions
- Co-Principal Investigator for Horizon Europe (RIA) project “BEATsep”
- Executive committee member of Czech Society of Analytical Cytometry CSAC (Secretary)