Research/art/teacher profile of a person
Name and surname:
doc. Mgr. Michal Martinka, 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
Martinka
I.2 - Name
Michal
I.3 - Degrees
M.Sc., associate professor, Ph.D.
I.4 - Year of birth
1981
I.5 - Name of the workplace
Department of Plant Physiology
I.6 - Address of the workplace
Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 842 15 Bratislava
I.7 - Position
university teacher - associate professor
I.8 - E-mail address
michal.martinka@uniba.sk
I.9 - Hyperlink to the entry of a person in the Register of university staff
https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/4344
I.10 - Name of the study field in which a person works at the university
Biology/Earth Sciences
I.11 - ORCID iD
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1898-2244

II. - Higher education and further qualification growth

II.1 - First degree of higher education
II.a - Name of the university or institution
Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences
II.b - Year
2002
II.c - Study field and programme
Biology
II.2 - Second degree of higher education
II.a - Name of the university or institution
Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences
II.b - Year
2004
II.c - Study field and programme
Biology - Plant Physiology
II.3 - Third degree of higher education
II.a - Name of the university or institution
Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences
II.b - Year
2009
II.c - Study field and programme
Biology - Plant Physiology
II.4 - Associate professor
II.a - Name of the university or institution
Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences
II.b - Year
2022
II.c - Study field and programme
Biology - Plant Physiology
II.5 - Professor
II.6 - Doctor of Science (DrSc.)

III. - Current and previous employment

III.a - Occupation-position III.b - Institution III.c - Duration
University teacher - Research Assistant Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava 01.10.2007 - 13. 02. 2017
researcher Institue of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences January 1, 2012 - February 13, 2017
University teacher - associate professor Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava 01. 05. 2022 - until now

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

IV.a - Activity description, course name, other IV.b - Name of the institution IV.c - Year
European Computer Driving Licence Comenius University in Bratislava 2006
Participant of a microscopical course "Life Cell Imaging" TIPNET Vienna University 2005

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.1.a - Name of the profile course V.1.b - Study programme V.1.c - Degree V.1.d - Field of study
Cell Biology Biology, non-profile for: Medicinal Biology, Systematic Biology I. Biology
Cell Biology Biological Chemistry I. Biology
Plant Anatomy and Morphology Systematic Biology I. Biology
Perspectives of Current Biology Biology, Teacher Training for Biology in Combination I. Biology
Selected Chapters from Plant Cytology and Physiology Plant Physiology II. Biology
Electron Microscopy Plant Physiology II. Biology
Dissertation 2 Plant Physiology III. Biology
Plant Cytology and Anatomy Plant Physiology III. Biology
Physiological Aspects of Substances Uptake from Soil by Plants Soil Ecophysiology II. Earth Sciences
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.2.a - Name of the study programme V.2.b - Degree V.2.c - Field of study
Biological Chemistry I. Biology
Plant Physiology II. Biology
Plant Physiology III. Biology
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.3.a - Name of the field of habilitation procedure and inaugural procedure V.3.b - Study field to which it is assigned
Plant Physiology Biology
V.4 - Overview of supervised final theses
V.4.1 - Number of currently supervised theses
V.4.a - Bachelor's (first degree)
1
V.4.b - Diploma (second degree)
0
V.4.c - Dissertation (third degree)
1
V.4.2 - Number of defended theses
V.4.a - Bachelor's (first degree)
11
V.4.b - Diploma (second degree)
9
V.4.c - Dissertation (third degree)
1
V.5 - Overview of other courses taught in the current academic year according to study programmes
V.5.a - Name of the course V.5.b - Study programme V.5.c - Degree V.5.d - Field of study
Optical Methods in Cell Biology Biology I. Biology
Effects of Plant Genes Plant Physiology/Genetics II. Biology
Plant Cell, Developmental, and Molecular Biology Plant Physiology II. Biology
Current Challenges in Biology 3 Biology II. Biology
Diploma Thesis from Plant Physiology 1 - 4/from Experimental Plant Biology 1 - 4 Plant Physiology/Biology II. Biology
Special Seminar to Diploma Thesis 1 - 2 Plant Physiology II. Biology
Diploma Praxis Plant PhysiologyBiology II. Biology
Seminar from Experimental Plant Biology 4 Biology II. Biology
Supperresolution Microscopy Biology II. Biology
Physiological Aspects of Substances Uptake from Soil by Plants Plant Physiology/Biology II. Biology
Master s Thesis 1 - 4 Soil Ecophysiology II. Earth Sciences
Selected Chapters from Experimental Plant Biology/Selected Chapters from Soil Ecophysiology Biology/Soil Ecophysiology II. Biology/Earth Sciences
Electron Microscopy Plant Physiology/Soil Ecophysiology II. Biology/Earth Sciences
Soil Ecophysiology Soil Ecophysiology III. Earth Sciences
Plant Metabolism Plant Physiology/Biology III. Biology

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
126
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
27
VI.1.2 - Number of the research/artistic/other outputs registered in the Web of Science or Scopus databases
VI.1.a - Overall
29
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
7
VI.1.3 - Number of citations corresponding to the research/artistic/other outputs
VI.1.a - Overall
1409
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
1109
VI.1.4 - Number of citations registered in the Web of Science or Scopus databases
VI.1.a - Overall
1409
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
1109
VI.1.5 - Number of invited lectures at the international, national level
VI.1.a - Overall
8
VI.1.b - Over the last six years
2
VI.2 - The most significant research/artistic/other outputs
1

Soukup M, Martinka M, Bosnic D, Caplovicova M, Elbaum R, Lux A. 2017. Formation of silica aggregates in sorghum root endodermis is predetermined by cell wall architecture and development. Annals of Botany 120 (5): 739-753. Special Issue: SIhttp://alis.uniba.sk:9909/lib/item?id=chamo:335595&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC

2

Liska D, Martinka M, Kohanova J, Lux A. 2016. Asymmetrical development of root endodermis and exodermis in reaction to abiotic stresses. Annals of Botany 118 SI(4): 667-674. http://alis.uniba.sk:9909/lib/item?id=chamo:320583&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC

3

Soukup M, Martinka M, Cigan M, Ravaszova F, Lux A. 2014. New method for visualization of silica phytoliths in Sorghum bicolor roots by fluorescence microscopy revealed silicate concentration-dependent phytolith formation. Planta 240 (6): 1365-1372. http://alis.uniba.sk:9909/lib/item?id=chamo:293183&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC

4

Martinka M, Dolan L, Pernas-Ochoa M, Abe J, Lux A. 2012. Endodermal cell-cell contact is required for the spatial control of Casparian band development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Annals of Botany 110 (SI 2): 361-371. http://alis.uniba.sk:9909/lib/item?id=chamo:264918&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC

5

Lux A, Martinka M, Vaculík M, White PJ. 2011. Root responses to cadmium in the rhizosphere: a review. Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 62 (1): 21-37. http://alis.uniba.sk:9909/lib/item?id=chamo:238251&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC

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

Svobodníková L., Kummerová M., Zezulka S., Martinka M., Klems M., Cáslavský J. 2023. Pea root responses under naproxen stress: changes in the formation of structural barriers in the primary root in context with changes of auxin and abscisic acid levels. Ecotoxicology 32 (1): 1 - 11.

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001062603700001

2

Bathóová M, Švubová R, Bokor B, Neděla V, Tihlaříková E, Martinka M. 2021. Silicon triggers sorghum root enzyme activities and inhibits the root cell colonization by Alternaria alternata. In: Planta 253(2). Article Number 29. https://alis.uniba.sk:8444/lib/item?id=chamo:375534&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC

3

Lux A, Lukacova Z, Vaculik M, Svubova R, Kohanova J, Soukup M, Martinka M, Bokor B. 2020. Silicification of root tissues. Plants-Basel 9 (1) Article Number: 111. DOI: 10.3390/plants9010111 JAN 2020. http://alis.uniba.sk:9909/lib/item?id=chamo:365442&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC

4

Vaculík M., Lukačová Z., Bokor B., Martinka M., Tripathi D. K., Lux A. 2020. Alleviation mechanisms of metal(loid) stress in plants by silicon a review. Journal of Experimental Botany. 71 (21): 6744-6757

https://alis.uniba.sk:8444/lib/item?id=chamo:374772&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC






5

Garajová M., Mrva M., Vaškovičová N., Martinka M., Melicherová J., Valigurová A. 2019. Cellulose fibrils formation and organisation of cytoskeleton during encystment are essential for Acanthamoeba cyst wall architecture. Scientific reports 9, s. 1-21, Art. no. 4466

https://alis.uniba.sk:8444/lib/item?id=chamo:353588&fromLocationLink=false&theme=EPC




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

Soukup M, Martinka M, Bosnic D, Caplovicova M, Elbaum R, Lux A. 2017. Formation of silica aggregates in sorghum root endodermis is predetermined by cell wall architecture and development. Annals of Botany 120 (5): 739-753. Special Issue: SI - CIT.: George N, Antony A, Ramachandran T, Hamed F, Kamal-Eldin A. 2020. Microscopic Investigations of Silicification and Lignification Suggest Their Coexistence in Tracheary Phytoliths in Date Fruits (Phoenix dactyliferaL.). Frontiers in Plant Science 11 Article Number: 977. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00977 Published: JUL 7 2020

2

Liska D, Martinka M, Kohanova J, Lux A. 2016. Asymmetrical development of root endodermis and exodermis in reaction to abiotic stresses. Annals of Botany 118 SI(4): 667-674. - CIT.: Robbins NE, Dinneny JR. 2018. Growth is required for perception of water availability to pattern root branches in plants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 115 (4): E822-E831. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1710709115

3

Martinka M, Dolan L, Pernas-Ochoa M, Abe J, Lux A. 2012. Endodermal cell-cell contact is required for the spatial control of Casparian band development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Annals of Botany 110 (SI 2): 361-371. - CIT.: Hosmani PS, Kamiya T, Danku J, Naseer S, Geldner N, Guerinot ML, Salt DE. 2013. Dirigent domain-containing protein is part of the machinery required for formation of the lignin-based Casparian strip in the root. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 110 (35): 14498-14503.

4

Martinka M, Dolan L, Pernas-Ochoa M, Abe J, Lux A. 2012. Endodermal cell-cell contact is required for the spatial control of Casparian band development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Annals of Botany 110 (SI 2): 361-371. - CIT.: Barberon M. 2017. The endodermis as a checkpoint for nutrients. New Phytologist 213 (4): 1604-1610.

5

Lux A, Martinka M, Vaculík M, White PJ. 2011. Root responses to cadmium in the rhizosphere: a review. Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 62 (1): 21-37. - CIT.: Hermans C, Chen JG, Coppens F, Inze D, Verbruggen N. 2011. Low magnesium status in plants enhances tolerance to cadmium exposure. New Phytologist 192 (2): 428-436.

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

VEGA-1/0745/20 -Plant resistance induction against phytophagous sucking insects with non-toxic silicon - head of the research team - The goal of this project is to find out if silicon application can enhance the plant shoot defence against phytopathogenic insects either by specific deposition of silicate aggregates or by metabolic changes in the plant shoots.

2

VEGA-1/0755/16 - Silicon-mediated inhibition of fungal phytopathogen invasion into the plant roots - head of the research team, The goal of this project was to find out if the silicon application can enhance the root defence against phytopathogenic fungus either by specific deposition of silicate aggregates or by metabolic changes in the plant roots.

3

APVV-17-0570 -member of the research team / The mechanism of positional signalling in plants – understanding of the DEK1 pathway / The project focuses on functional and structural analyses of the membrane protein DEFECTIVE KERNEL 1. DEK1 is an evolutionary conserved regulator of plant growth and development necessary for correct cell division and tissue specification during embryogenesis, vegetative growth and seed development.

4

APVV-17-0164 - member of the research team / Potential of silicon in alleviation of toxicity of arsenic and antimony in crops /Project is focused on investigation of phytotoxic effects of selected metabolites (As, Sb) and study of potential protective effects of Si on alleviation of negative effects of metalloids in respect to plant anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and molecular biology.

 

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

VII.a - Activity, position VII.b - Name of the institution, board VII.c - Duration
Voted member of the Board Czecho-Slovak Microscopy Society 2007 - 2015
Member of the society Československá mikroskopická spoločnosť (CSMS) 2007 - until now
Member of the society Federation of European Societies for Plant Biology (FESPB) 2004 - until now
Member of the society European Microscopy Society (EMS) 2007 - until now
Editorial Board member Editorial board of Bulletine of the Slovak Botanical Society 2011 - until now

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)
Sant' Anna University Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33 – 56127, Pisa, Italy on November 22, 2011 Teaching of theoretical and practical one-day course: „A theoretical and practical course on: Root Anatomy“ for master and PhD students
Department of Biology, University of Pisa Via L. Ghini 5, 56126, Pisa, Italy on April 11, 2013 Lecture for master and PhD students „Effects of cadmium on plant roots“
Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure, Vienna University "1090 Wien, Althanstraße 14 UZA 1, Vienna, Austria" on December 01, 2014 Lecture for master and PhD students „The plant cell background for silica phytolith formation“ in the frame of subject Interdisciplinary Seminar 2014/2015 „News from light and electron microscopy“.
The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture POB 12, Rehovot 76100, Izrael on November 27, 2016 Lecture for master and PhD students „Silicon inhibits the invasion of Alternaria alternata in Sorghum bicolor roots“ + „Endodermis – one tissue, many functions“
Masaryk University "Kamenice 753/5 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic" on November 13, 2017 Lecture for master and PhD students „Apoplasmic barriers – sensitive stress-responding structures in plants“
Institute for Cell and Molecular Botany, University Bonn Kirschallee 1, D-53115 Bonn, Germany February - March 2007 Scientific stay

IX. - Other relevant facts

IX.a - If relevant, other activities related to higher education or research/artistic/other activities are mentioned

1. Co-organizer of several international conferencies , e. g. COST 859 Smolenice, SVK – 2008 (ca. 30 participating countries); 7th International Symposium on Structure and Function of Roots, Nový Smokovec, SVK – 2011 (ca. 25 participating countries); 18th International Microscopy Congress, Prague, CZK – 2014 (ca. 68 participating countries).

2.A member of the exceptional research team - Team of the Experimental Plant Biology - head prof. RNDr. Alexander Lux, CSc. Awarded by Acreditation Committee, Slovak Republic.

3. Awarded by several Travel Grants: 1st workshop WG1, COST 859, 2006, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; 15th Congress of Federation of European Societies for Plant Biology (FESPB), 2006, Lyon, France; 8th International Congress on Microscopy, 2007, Prague, Czech Republic; workshop: WG1, WG3, COST 859, 2007, Sede Boqer, Izrael;

4. Silver medal of Comenius University in Bratislava awarded to the top scientific Team of Experimental Plant Biology 2017.

5. Succesful completing of The Course of Cyber Security in the Comenius University in Bratislava (April, 2025)

6. Succesful completing of The First Aid Course (according to the law No. 578/2004 and following updates of Slovak Republic, and according to the legislative 398/2010, Rescue Academy s. r. o., April, 2025)

Date of last update
2025-04-28