Kejnovský Eduard, doc. RNDr., CSc.

Eduard Kejnovsky is a deputy head and a group leader in the Department of Plant Developmental Genetics, Institute of Biophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences, in Brno. His research is focused on plant genome structure and evolution, along with genome dynamics, working predominantly on transposable elements (TEs), their structure, activity and life-cycle, as well as on satellite DNA and sex chromosomes in plants. He is highly experienced in genomic methods such as flow sorting and microdissection of chromosomes, BAC library construction and screening, various next generation sequencing platforms as well as bioinformatic tools for the analysis of genomes. His research has contributed to the understanding of the role of repetitive DNA in the structure and evolution of plant sex chromosomes. Most recently, he has been working on the determination of transposable elements age, TE nesting, targeting, gene conversion, repeat dynamics in relation to nucleic acid movement, the role of quadruplex DNA in TE structure and activity and the role of TEs in interphase nucleus 3D organization. During the last 10 years Eduard Kejnovský has published 33 peer reviewed scientific papers, including ones in journals with IF>10 (Nucleic Acids Res, Genome Research).

In addition, Eduard Kejnovský has written a book chapter (Springer, 2012) on plant transposable elements, with coauthor Cedric Feschotte, a leading scientist in the field. Eduard Kejnovsky is also an active lecturer, teaching an Evolutionary Genomics course. He supervises PhD, diploma and bachelor students. Eduard Kejnovsky is a recognized popularizer of science in the Czech Republic, since 2000 he has regularly published papers in Czech science popularization journal “Vesmír” and is the author of the book “Secret of Genes – From the Origin of Life to the Human Genome” (“Tajemství genů – od vzniku života po genom člověka”, Academia 2015). He was awarded with the Naprstek medal for his contribution to the popularization of science and is an active Youtuber popularizing genetics and evolution every week.