Stem Cell Biology and Vision Research
Mission
Advance our understanding of human vision and translate stem cell-based discoveries into innovative therapies for retinal and ocular diseases.
Research Focus
The group investigates human vision and the biology of the human retina using advanced human stem cell-based models that faithfully recapitulate ocular development, physiology, and disease. The research combines patient-derived pluripotent stem cells, organoid technologies, genome engineering, and translational ophthalmology to uncover disease mechanisms and accelerate the development of novel, next-generation therapeutic strategies for inherited and acquired retinal disorders.
Key Research Questions
- How does the human retina develop, mature, and function under physiological conditions?
- Which cellular and molecular mechanisms drive retinal degeneration and other ocular diseases?
- How can patient-derived stem cell models improve our understanding of disease heterogeneity, reveal disease mechanisms, and identify new therapeutic targets?
- Which emerging drugs, gene therapies, cell therapies, or pharmacological therapies can effectively restore retinal function or prevent disease progression?
Approach & Integration
The work spans fundamental and translational research. The team relies on a broad portfolio of human preclinical models derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to study normal retinal biology, model inherited and acquired eye diseases, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies. By integrating patient-derived models with state-of-the-art molecular, cellular, and functional analyses, the group aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications.
Specialized Expertise & Technology
- Human stem cell technologies: Generation, engineering, and quality control of patient-derived hiPSC lines.
- Organoid models: Directed differentiation of hiPSCs into retinal organoids, multiocular organoids, corneal organoids, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and neuro-retinal assembloids. Long-term retinal organoid maturation to model advanced stages of human retinal development, aging, and disease.
- Translational disease modelling: Development of patient-specific models for inherited and acquired ocular disorders. Preclinical testing of small molecules, biologics, gene therapies, and regenerative medicine/cell-based therapies.
- Advanced molecular and functional profiling: Single-cell sequencing and transcriptomics. Advanced imaging, including high-content screening/imaging, confocal microscopy, and live-cell imaging. Functional characterization and phenotyping using electrophysiology and multielectrode array (MEA) recordings.
doc. Mgr. Tomáš Bárta, Ph.D.
Role
Research Group Leader
Associated Professor
Contact Information
Office:
Bldg. F01B1/221, Kamenice 3, 625 00 Brno
Phone:
+420 549 496 052
Email:
tbarta@med.muni.cz
Selected Publications
- Banik P, Zimmann F, Thakur PK, Dudakova L, Večerková K, Kostov O, Caruthers MH, Kolář M, Krejčířová I, Vajter M, Liskova P, Bárta T, Staněk D. Targeted antisense oligonucleotide therapy rescues PRPF31 expression in retinitis pigmentosa caused by a splicing mutation. Mol Ther. 2026 Jun 3:S1525-0016(26)00478-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2026.05.033. PMID: 42237540.
- Zimmann F, Banik P, Kubovčiak J, Delattre M, Thakur PK, Čapek M, Kolář M, Hrubá E, Dobrovolný R, Cvačková Z, Bárta T, Staněk D. PRPF8-associated retinitis pigmentosa variant induces human neural retina-autonomous photoreceptor defects. Sci Rep. 2026 Feb 23;16(1):10264. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-40376-y. PMID: 41731009; PMCID: PMC13031808.
- Polešovská L, Trmačová S, Celiker C, Hrubá E, Gambin FM, Chochola V, Matušková V, Beli E, Bárta T. Unveiling the cellular and molecular mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy with human retinal organoids. Cell Death Dis. 2025 Dec 19;16(1):892. doi: 10.1038/s41419-025-08244-1. PMID: 41419458; PMCID: PMC12717054.
- Dubaic M, Peskova L, Hampl M, Weissova K, Celiker C, Shylo NA, Hruba E, Kavkova M, Zikmund T, Weatherbee SD, Kaiser J, Barta T, Buchtova M. Role of ciliopathy protein TMEM107 in eye development: insights from a mouse model and retinal organoid. Life Sci Alliance. 2023 Oct 20;6(12):e202302073. doi:10.26508/lsa.202302073. PMID: 37863656; PMCID: PMC10589122.
- Celiker C, Weissova K, Cerna KA, Oppelt J, Dorgau B, Gambin FM, Sebestikova J, Lako M, Sernagor E, Liskova P, Barta T. Light-responsive microRNA molecules in human retinal organoids are differentially regulated by distinct wavelengths of light. iScience. 2023 Jun 28;26(7):107237. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107237.PMID: 37485345; PMCID: PMC10362355.
Patents
NONE
Grant Projects
- Enhancing PRPF31 expression as a therapeutic strategy for retinitis pigmentosa 11 (Project code: GA26-21263S) | PI: Prof. David Staněk, CO-PI: doc. Mgr. Tomáš Bárta, Ph.D. | Investor: The Czech Science Foundation | Project period: 1/2026–12/2028
- Bridging Structural and Cellular Biology: Protein in-cell NMR Spectroscopy in 3D Stem CellDerived Human Organ Models (Project code: GA26-21053S) | PI: doc. Mgr. Lukáš Trantírek, Ph.D. | Investor: The Czech Science Foundation | Project period: 1/2026–12/2028
- Exploring the Molecular Basis of Anterior Segment Dysgenesis using Advanced Sequencing and Organoid Technology (Project code: GA24-10324S) | PI: prof. Petra Lišková, CO-PI: doc. Mgr. Tomáš Bárta, Ph.D. | Investor: The Czech Science Foundation | Project period: 1/2024–12/2026
Collaboration
- Newcastle University, UK – Majlinda Lako
- Northumbria University, UK – Gerrit Hilgen
- Queen’s University Belfast, UK – Eleni Beli
- Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands – Alejandro Garanto
Alumni
- Lucie Pešková, PhD student (Next position: Principal Scientist, a:head, Vienna, AT)
- Kamila Weissová, postdoc (Next position: Scientist, Immuai, Prague, CZ)
- Jana Šebestíková, M.Sc. student (Next position: Cambridge University, UK, PhD student)
- Denisa Jurčíková, M.Sc. student (Next position: Roche, Switzerland)
- Kateřina Konečná, M.Sc. student (Next position: BIOCEV, Prague, CZ)
Open Positions
NONE
Team
Postdocs
- Mgr. Eva Hrubá, Ph.D.
Doctoral Students
- Francisco Molina Gambin, M.Sc.
- Mgr. Anna Marie Pavlínková