Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radim Vrzal | Molecular biology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radim Vrzal | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Department Of Cell Biology And Genetics | Palacky University | Czech Republic

Doc. Ing. Radim Vrzal, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic. He earned his M.Sc. in Biochemistry from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague (1998–2003) and completed a cotutelle Ph.D. in Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry jointly at Palacký University and INSERM U632, CNRS, Montpellier, France (2003–2007). Dr. Vrzal’s research focuses on the biological activity of natural and synthetic compounds, ligand-activated nuclear receptors (AhR, AR, PXR, VDR, GR), drug metabolism, cytotoxicity, cellular signaling, and human intestinal organoid models, with a special interest in prostate cancer. He has served as corresponding author on several high-impact studies, including recent works in Biochimie, Nature Communications, and International Journal of Molecular Sciences. He has led and contributed to multiple national and international grants, including projects on MAP kinase signaling and post-translational regulation of CYP3A4, and currently serves as principal investigator on cancer therapeutics research supported by the League Against Cancer Prague. Dr. Vrzal has supervised over 40 bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. theses, and regularly lectures on hematology, human genetics, and toxicology. His academic contributions and mentorship have significantly advanced understanding of xenobiotic receptor signaling and its implications for pharmacotherapy and oncology. He has authored 87 publications indexed in Web of Science, accumulating over 2,147 citations with an H-index of 28.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Vrzal, R., Grycová, A., & Vrzalová, A. (2025). Skin-targeted AhR activation by microbial and synthetic indoles: Insights from the AhaRaCaT reporter cell line. Toxicology Letters.

2. Vrzalová, A., & Vrzal, R. (2025). Orchestra of ligand-activated transcription factors in the molecular symphony of SERPINE 1 / PAI-1 gene regulation. Biochimie.

3. Vrzalová, A., Vrzal, R., Nádvorník, P., Šebela, M., & Dvořák, Z. (2024). Modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity by halogenated indoles. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry.

4. Vrzal, R., Marcalíková, A., Krasulová, K., Zemánková, L., & Dvořák, Z. (2023). Jasmone is a ligand-selective allosteric antagonist of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

5. Ondrová, K., Zůvalová, I., Vyhlídalová, B., Krasulová, K., Miková, E., Vrzal, R., Nádvorník, P., Kopečná, M., Kopečný, D., Šebela, M., et al. (2023). Monoterpenoid aryl hydrocarbon receptor allosteric antagonists protect against ultraviolet skin damage in female mice. Nature Communications.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Burak Durmaz | Skin Allergies | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Burak Durmaz | Skin Allergies | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Lecturer | Near East University | Turkey

Dr. Burak Durmaz is an accomplished Doctoral Lecturer at Near East University’s Faculty of Medicine, where he also serves as Assistant Coordinator for Term-3 and founding member of the DESAM Drug Design and Development Research Group. He earned his B.Sc. in Biology Education from Dokuz Eylül University (2009–2024), followed by an M.Sc. (2017–2018) and Ph.D. (2018–2024) in Medical Biochemistry from Ege University Faculty of Medicine, where he focused on hydroxycinnamic acids’ apoptotic effects and innovative diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme purification for histamine-reducing functional foods. His research spans natural product biochemistry, cancer cell apoptosis, inflammation modulation, neurodevelopmental effects of stress, and enzyme-enriched food technologies. Dr. Durmaz has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, including Biochemistry Research International, Lipids in Health and Disease, and International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, and contributed chapters to books on mitochondrial medicine and lysosomal biology. His scholarly impact is complemented by active participation in international conferences such as the 47th FEBS Congress and the 25th IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry. Recognized with prestigious awards, including the YÖK 100/2000 Ph.D. Scholarship in “Natural Products and Cosmetics” and TÜBİTAK research fellowships, he exemplifies scientific excellence. Dr. Durmaz also contributes to the scientific community as a member of the Turkish Biochemistry Society, IFCC, EFLM, and MOKAD, while mentoring young researchers as a FEBs Junior-TBD founder. His work continues to bridge basic science with translational applications, advancing biochemistry and functional food innovation for improved health outcomes.

Profile: Google Scholar

Publications

1.Memmedov, H., Oktay, L. M., Durmaz, B., Günel, N. S., Yıldırım, H. K., & Sözmen, E. Y. (2020). Propolis prevents inhibition of apoptosis by potassium bromate in CCD 841 human colon cell. Cell Biochemistry and Function, 38(4), 510–519.

2.Ozisik, H., Cekin, A., Suner, A., Durmaz, B., Ozel, B., Gunel, N. S., & Ozgen, G. (2023). Evaluation of IL-10, MCP-1, IFN gamma, and protectin D1 levels in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971-), 192(1), 177–184.

3.Memmedov, H., Durmaz, B., Oktay, L. M., Selvi, N., Yıldırım, H. K., & Sözmen, E. Y. (2017). Biologically transformed propolis exhibits cytotoxic effect on A375 malignant melanoma cells in vitro. Proceedings, 1(10), 1059.

4.Canbay, E., Canda, E., Yazıcı, H., Kasıkcı, G. K., Durmaz, B., Copur, O., & Tahhan, B. (2024). Determination of selected oxysterol levels, oxidative stress, and macrophage activation indicators in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia. Lipids in Health and Disease, 23(1), 374.

5.Çelik, K., Bilim, P., Garip, G., Durmaz, B., Sözmen, E. Y., & Baka, M. (2022). Acute hypoxia exposure following prenatal stress impairs hippocampus and novelty‐seeking behavior in adolescent rats. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 82(1), 85–95.

Prof. Chengzhi  Lv | Psoriais Treatment | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Chengzhi  Lv | Psoriais Treatment | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Dalian Dermatosis Hospital | China

Dr. Chengzhi Lv, Director of Dalian Dermatosis Hospital, is a distinguished researcher and clinician specializing in inflammatory skin diseases. He has developed a cross-disciplinary research framework to uncover the molecular mechanisms linking skin barrier homeostasis and systemic inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Dr. Lv holds a robust academic background with numerous completed and ongoing research projects funded by prestigious institutions such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology. His work spans advanced studies on psoriasis, vitiligo, melanoma, and autoimmune diseases, as well as the development of emollients and novel therapeutic approaches integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine. He has authored several books, including Chinese and Western Medicine Dermatology and Venereology and Psoriasis Diagnosis and Treatment Manual, and published widely in high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Immunology and the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. His contributions include pioneering the “Dalian Model” for comprehensive psoriasis management, which significantly reduces recurrence rates. Dr. Lv is also a patent holder for innovative dermatological treatments and serves as Editor-in-Chief of both the Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Dermatology and Venereology and the Journal of Practical Dermatology. Recognized nationally for his leadership in clinical dermatology, Dr. Lv continues to advance the integration of clinical care, research, and innovation to improve outcomes for patients with chronic skin disorders. He has 521 citations from 464 documents  with an h-index of 12.

Profile: Scopus

Publications

1. Panpan Liu; Yehong Kuang; Li Ye; Cong Peng; Wangqing Chen; Minxue Shen; Mi Zhang; Wu Zhu;Chengzhi Lv; Xiang Chen ; Predicting the risk of psoriatic arthritis in plaque psoriasis patients: development and assessment of a new predictive nomogram, Frontiers in Immunology, 2022, 12；

2. L Ye; Z Wang; Y Kim; PM Elias; T Li; S Wen; J Song; C Lv; B Yang; MQ Man ; A Topical Emollient Mitigates the Progression of Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly: A Randomized, Open‐ Label Pilot Trial, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022, 36(8): 1382-1388；

3. Yehong Kuang; Yi Xiao; Zhiqin Fang; Yichi Zhang; Minxue Shen; Xiang Chen; Mingliang Chen; Chengzhi Lv; Wu Zhu ; Association of serum vitamin D with psoriasis and effect modification by central obesity., Front Med (Lausanne), 2020, 7(236)；

4. Ye, L.; Mauro, T. M.; Dang, E.; Wang, G.; Hu, L. Z.; Yu, C.; Jeong, S.; Feingold, K.; Elias, P. M.; Lv, C. Z.; Man, M. Q. ; Topical applications of an emollient reduce circulating pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in chronically aged humans: a pilot clinical study, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2019, 33(11): 2197-2201；

5. Ye, L; Wang, Z; Li, Z; Lv, C; Man, M Q ; Validation of GPSkin Barrier((R)) for assessing epidermal permeability barrier function and stratum corneum hydration in humans, Skin Research and Technology, 2018, 25(1): 25-29