Research/art/teacher profile of a person
Name and surname:
RNDr. Zuzana Sumbalová, PhD.
Document type:
Research/art/teacher profile of a person
The name of the university:
Comenius University Bratislava
The seat of the university:
Šafárikovo námestie 6, 818 06 Bratislava

I. - Basic information

I.1 - Surname
Sumbalová
I.2 - Name
Zuzana
I.3 - Degrees
RNDr., PhD.
I.4 - Year of birth
1965
I.5 - Name of the workplace
Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry at Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava, Comenius University
I.6 - Address of the workplace
Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava
I.7 - Position
researcher
I.8 - E-mail address
zuzana.sumbalova@fmed.uniba.sk
I.9 - Hyperlink to the entry of a person in the Register of university staff
https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/3411
I.10 - Name of the study field in which a person works at the university
biochemistry
I.11 - ORCID iD
0000-0001-9454-6255

II. - Higher education and further qualification growth

II.1 - First degree of higher education
II.2 - Second degree of higher education
II.a - Name of the university or institution
Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Department of Biophysics, Moscow, Russia
II.b - Year
1989
II.c - Study field and programme
biophysics
II.3 - Third degree of higher education
II.a - Name of the university or institution
Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Bratislava, Slovakia
II.b - Year
2005
II.c - Study field and programme
biochemistry
II.4 - Associate professor
II.5 - Professor
II.6 - Doctor of Science (DrSc.)

III. - Current and previous employment

III.a - Occupation-position III.b - Institution III.c - Duration
independent researcher IIa Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine 2012 - current
researcher Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine 2005-2012
professional worker Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine 1996-2005
databases system manager, plant and animal production technologist The Forest & Pond Department of České Budějovice, Czech Republic 1993-1996
research assistant Institute of Molecular Biology of Plants, department of Photosynthesis, České Budějovice, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic 1990-1993
research assistant Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bratislava, Slovak Republic 1989

IV. - Development of pedagogical, professional, language, digital and other skills

V. - Overview of activities within the teaching career at the university

V.1 - Overview of the profile courses taught in the current academic year according to study programmes
V.2 - Overview of the responsibility for the delivery, development and quality assurance of the study programme or its part at the university in the current academic year
V.3 - Overview of the responsibility for the development and quality of the field of habilitation procedure and inaugural procedure in the current academic year
V.4 - Overview of supervised final theses
V.4.1 - Number of currently supervised theses
V.4.b - Diploma (second degree)
1
V.4.2 - Number of defended theses
V.4.b - Diploma (second degree)
1
V.4.c - Dissertation (third degree)
1
V.5 - Overview of other courses taught in the current academic year according to study programmes

VI. - Overview of the research/artistic/other outputs

VI.1 - Overview of the research/artistic/other outputs and the corresponding citations
VI.1.1 - Number of the research/artistic/other outputs
VI.1.a - Overall
305
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
66
VI.1.2 - Number of the research/artistic/other outputs registered in the Web of Science or Scopus databases
VI.1.a - Overall
72
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
36
VI.1.3 - Number of citations corresponding to the research/artistic/other outputs
VI.1.a - Overall
876
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
421
VI.1.4 - Number of citations registered in the Web of Science or Scopus databases
VI.1.a - Overall
814
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
416
VI.1.5 - Number of invited lectures at the international, national level
VI.1.a - Overall
1
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
1
VI.2 - The most significant research/artistic/other outputs
1

Krumschnabel G, Fontana-Ayoub M, Sumbalova Z, Heidler J, Gauper K, Fasching M, Gnaiger E. Simultaneous high-resolution measurement of mitochondrial respiration and hydrogen peroxide production. Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1264:245-61. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2257-4_22.

2

Kasparová S, Sumbalová Z, Bystrický P, Kucharská J, Liptaj T, Mlynárik V, Gvozdjáková A. Effect of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E on brain energy metabolism in the animal model of Huntington's disease. Neurochem Int. 2006, 48:93-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2005.09.002. (IF = 3.159; Q2)

3

Sumbalova Z, Kucharska J, Palacka P, Rausova Z, Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM, Gvozdjakova A. Platelet mitochondrial function and endogenous coenzyme Q10 levels are reduced in patients after COVID-19. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2022;123(1):9-15. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2022_002. (IF = 1.5; Q2)

4

Kucharská J, Ulicná O, Gvozdjáková A, Sumbalová Z, Vancová O, Bozek P, Nakano M, Greksák M. Regeneration of coenzyme Q9 redox state and inhibition of oxidative stress by Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) administration in carbon tetrachloride liver damage. Physiol Res. 2004;53(5):515-21. (IF = 1.14; Q3)

5

Kura B, Szantova M, LeBaron TW, Mojto V, Barancik M, Szeiffova Bacova B, Kalocayova B, Sykora M, Okruhlicova L, Tribulova N, Gvozdjakova A, Sumbalova Z, Kucharska J, Faktorova X, Jakabovicova M, Durkovicová Z, Macutek J, Koscová M, Slezak J. Biological Effects of Hydrogen Water on Subjects with NAFLD: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Sep 28;11(10):1935. doi: 10.3390/antiox11101935. (IF = 7.0; Q1)

VI.3 - The most significant research/artistic/other outputs over the last six years
1

Sumbalová Z, Uličná O, Kucharská J, Rausová Z, Vančová O, Melicherčík Ľ, Tvrdík T, Nemec M, Kašparová S. D-galactose-induced aging in rats - The effect of metformin on bioenergetics of brain, skeletal muscle and liver. Exp Gerontol. 2022,163:111770. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111770. (IF = 3.9; Q2)

2

Sumbalová Z, Rausová Z, Kucharská J, Šranko P, Harbulák P, Svitok P, López-Lluch G, Gvozdjáková A. Platelet Mitochondrial Function and Endogenous Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> Levels Could Be Used as Markers of Mitochondrial Health in Infertile Men: A Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci. 2024, 26:268. doi: 10.3390/ijms26010268. (IF = 4.9; Q1)

3

Sumbalová Z, Kucharská J, Rausová Z, Gvozdjáková A, Szántová M, Kura B, Mojto V, Slezák J. The Effect of Adjuvant Therapy with Molecular Hydrogen on Endogenous Coenzyme Q<sub>10</sub> Levels and Platelet Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2023, 24:12477. doi: 10.3390/ijms241512477. (IF = 4.9; Q2)

4

Sumbalová Z, Kucharská J, Rausová Z, Palacka P, Kovalčíková E, Takácsová T, Mojto V, Navas P, Lopéz-Lluch G, Gvozdjáková A. Reduced platelet mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in patients with post COVID-19 syndrome are regenerated after spa rehabilitation and targeted ubiquinol therapy. Front Mol Biosci. 2022, 9:1016352. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1016352. (IF = 5.0; Q2)

5

Timón-Gómez A, Doerrier C, Sumbalová Z, Garcia-Souza LF, Baglivo E, Cardoso LHD, Gnaiger E. Bioenergetic profiles and respiratory control in mitochondrial physiology: Precision analysis of oxidative phosphorylation. Exp Physiol. 2026, 111:179-211. doi: 10.1113/EP092792. (IF = 2.8; Q2)

VI.4 - The most significant citations corresponding to the research/artistic/other outputs
1

Krumschnabel G, Fontana-Ayoub M, Sumbalova Z, Heidler J, Gauper K, Fasching M, Gnaiger E. Simultaneous high-resolution measurement of mitochondrial respiration and hydrogen peroxide production. Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1264:245-61. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2257-4_22.

Cited in:

Rodriguez E, Peng B, Lane N. Anaesthetics disrupt complex I-linked respiration and reverse the ATP synthase. Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg. 2025, 1866:149511. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2024.149511.

Alley EE, Warrier T, Saleem R, Scott GR. Thermal sensitivity of respiration and ROS emission of muscle mitochondria in deer mice. J Comp Physiol B. 2025, 195:227-234. doi: 10.1007/s00360-025-01607-2.

2

Kasparová S, Sumbalová Z, Bystrický P, Kucharská J, Liptaj T, Mlynárik V, Gvozdjáková A. Effect of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E on brain energy metabolism in the animal model of Huntington's disease. Neurochem Int. 2006, 48:93-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2005.09.002.

Cited in:

Mantle D, Cufflin N, Dewsbury M, Hargreaves IP. Blood-Brain Barrier and Neuronal Model Systems for Studying CoQ10 Metabolism. Antioxidants (Basel). 2025, 15:41. doi: 10.3390/antiox15010041.

Araldi RP, Dias Pinto JR, Kerkis I. AI-Enhanced Transcriptomic Discovery of Druggable Targets and Repurposed Therapies for Huntington's Disease. Brain Sci. 2025, 15:865. doi: 10.3390/brainsci15080865.

3

Sumbalova Z, Kucharska J, Palacka P, Rausova Z, Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM, Gvozdjakova A. Platelet mitochondrial function and endogenous coenzyme Q10 levels are reduced in patients after COVID-19. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2022;123(1):9-15. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2022_002.

Cited in:

Staiano C, García-Corzo L, Mantle D, Turton N, Millichap LE, Brea-Calvo G, Hargreaves I. Biosynthesis, Deficiency, and Supplementation of Coenzyme Q. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023, 12(7):1469. doi: 10.3390/antiox12071469.

Wang R, Chen Y, Tian Z, Zhu M, Zhang B, Du S, Li Y, Liu Z, Hou S, Yang Y. Coenzyme Q10 Attenuates Human Platelet Aggregation Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein via Reducing Oxidative Stress In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci. 2022, 23(20):12345. doi: 10.3390/ijms232012345.

4

Kucharská J, Ulicná O, Gvozdjáková A, Sumbalová Z, Vancová O, Bozek P, Nakano M, Greksák M. Regeneration of coenzyme Q9 redox state and inhibition of oxidative stress by Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) administration in carbon tetrachloride liver damage. Physiol Res. 2004;53(5):515-21.

Cited in:

Bond TJ, Derbyshire EJ (2020) Rooibos Tea and Health: A Systematic Review of the Evidence from the Last Two Decades. Nutr Food Technol Open Access 6(1): dx.doi.org/10.16966/2470-6086.166

5

Kura B, Szantova M, LeBaron TW, Mojto V, Barancik M, Szeiffova Bacova B, Kalocayova B, Sykora M, Okruhlicova L, Tribulova N, Gvozdjakova A, Sumbalova Z, Kucharska J, Faktorova X, Jakabovicova M, Durkovicová Z, Macutek J, Koscová M, Slezak J. Biological Effects of Hydrogen Water on Subjects with NAFLD: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Sep 28;11(10):1935. doi: 10.3390/antiox11101935.

Cited in:

Deniz M, Akkuş Y, Yıldız G, Havadar HB, Makav M. Effect of hydrogen-enriched water on healing of excisional full-layer skin wounds in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2026, 399:561-580. doi: 10.1007/s00210-025-04427-x.

Wu HT, Tsai CS, Chao TH, Ou HY, Tsai LM. A Novel Antioxidant, Hydrogen-Rich Coral Calcium Alters Gut Microbiome and Bile Acid Synthesis to Improve Methionine-and-Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024, 13:746. doi: 10.3390/antiox13060746.

VI.5 - Participation in conducting (leading) the most important research projects or art projects over the last six years
1

deputy of principal investigator

APVV-24-0288: Role of mitochondria in treatment response of cancer cells: dynamics of drug resistance development

September 2025 – February 2029

2

partner

Purple4Life - Horizon Europe Project, Grant Agreement No. 101212806, Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme

June 2025 – May 2029

3

co-investigator

VEGA 1/0235/24: Metal nanoparticles used in medicine, the mechanism of their cytotoxicity and prevention of potential risks of their use

2024 - 2027

4

co-investigator

VEGA 1/0235/24: Therapeutic effects of bioactive substances from bee products on experimental arthritis: evaluation of articular and extra-articular complications

2024 - 2027

5

co-investigator

BrainHealth - EU project from the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Interreg V -A SR-AT: Strengthening cross-border cooperation in the field of prevention of neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on nutrition and exercise

2025 - 2027

6

co-investigator

RobuSar - Contract project with Horphag Research (Europe) Ltd., Limassol, Cyprus (QR2019-01); Effect of French oak wood extract (Robuvit®) on muscle mass in seniors

2024-2026

7

co-investigator

PyCoStat - Contract project with Horphag Research Ltd. Switzerland: Effect of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) on CoQ10 levels and well-being in patients treated with statins

2023-2025

8

co-investigator

NutriAging - EU grant from the CBC programme Interreg V-A SK-AT V014: Nutrition and healthy aging

2018 –2022

VII. - Overview of organizational experience related to higher education and research/artistic/other activities

VIII. - Overview of international mobilities and visits oriented on education and research/artistic/other activities in the given field of study

VIII.a - Name of the institution VIII.b - Address of the institution VIII.c - Duration (indicate the duration of stay) VIII.d - Mobility scheme, employment contract, other (describe)
Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM, USA 15.11.2006 - 14.11.2007 postdoctoral position
Oroboros Instruments GmbH Innsbruck, Austria 8.2.2010 - 31.7.2011 postdoctoral position
Oroboros Instruments GmbH Innsbruck, Austria January 2016 - January 2017 researcher
Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of Internal, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria September 2014 - 10 days Travel grant from Action Austria-Slovakia + Erasmus
Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of Internal, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria February – June 2015 postdoctoral research stipendium from Action Austria-Slovakia
Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of Internal, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria February 2017 – April 2018 senior scientist
J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging, Dept Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine Winston-Salem, NC, USA January 2016 - 2 weeks visiting scientist - requested training of laboratory staff
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology Halle-Wittenberg, Germany November 2024 - 1 week Stay based on a bilateral agreement with a foreign university

IX. - Other relevant facts

IX.a - If relevant, other activities related to higher education or research/artistic/other activities are mentioned
  1. Award from the International Society for Neurochemistry: Postdoctoral Travel Grant to the 7th International Conference on Brain Energy Metabolism, August 15-18, 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland
  2. Trainer and a lecturer in 10 international courses of high-resolution respirometry and international courses of high-resolution respirometry and measurement membrane potential using TPP + electrode and fluorescence:
  • OC55 Schroecken AT (April 07 -12, 2010)
  • IOC56 Schroecken AT (April 12 to 16, 2010)
  • IOC60 Schroecken AT (December 11-16, 2010)
  • IOC61 Schroecken AT (April 26 - May 1, 2011)
  • IOC100 Schroecken AT (April 09-14, 2015)
  • IOC106 Schroecken AT (Oktober 06-11, 2015)
  • IOC109 Schroecken AT (April 03-08, 2016)
  • IOC116 Innsbruck AT (November 21-25, 2016)
  • MitoFit Science Camp 2016 Kuehtai AT (April 09-14, 2015)
  • IOC126 Innsbruck AT (January 24-26, 2018)
  1. Invited as a trainer and a lecturer for following international courses of high-resolution respirometry and international courses of high-resolution respirometry and membrane potential measurement using TPP + electrode and fluorescence:
  • International O2k Course on High-Resolution Respirometry“, Schroecken Austria, 9. – 14. April 2013 (IOC75 Schroecken AT)
  • High-resolution Respirometry OROBOROS O2K-Workshop, Prague, May 28-29, 2013 (IOC76 Prague CZ)
  • IOC95 Obergurgl AT (September 12-16, 2014)
  1. Member in Scientific Committee of the International Conference "Bioblast Conference", organized from 10 to 13 December 2012 in Innsbruck
  2. Scientific representative of grant holder for COST Action CA15203 MitoEAGLE and substitute for Austria in the management committee (April 2017 - April 2018)
Date of last update
2026-03-09