Welcome to the Mikolka Lab
Laboratory focused on pulmonary surfactant and related acute lung injury
About the lab
We are an established research group dedicated to studying the pathophysiology of pulmonary surfactant and related acute lung injury, particularly neonatal and adult respiratory distress syndrome RDS.
Our primary focus lies in experimental modelling of respiratory diseases associated with surfactant dysfunction. We conduct preclinical testing of innovative therapeutic approaches, including next-generation synthetic surfactants, with the goal of improving the effectiveness of treatment strategies for acute lung injury.
Our research integrates animal models of lung injury, cell culture studies, advanced ICU-based ventilation strategies, and a range of molecular and biochemical techniques to explore surfactant biology and lung repair mechanisms.
The Pavol Mikolka Research Group is based at the Department of Physiology and the Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Martin, Slovakia. The group operates within the Laboratory of functional testing of the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems.
Our Research
Key research areas include
# Pathophysiology of acute lung injury
# Exogenous surfactant therapy
# Distribution of surfactant in lungs
# Transcriptomics and metabolomics
Pathophysiology of acute lung injury
Our main research interest focuses on the pathophysiology of acute lung injury of diverse etiologies, typically characterized by an excessive inflammatory response, pulmonary edema, surfactant inactivation, and a subsequent impairment of ventilation–perfusion matching.
We aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these processes and to develop innovative therapeutic strategies that restore alveolar stability and gas exchange efficiency. To achieve this, we combine advanced experimental models, respiratory physiology techniques, and translational approaches that bridge fundamental discoveries with potential clinical applications.
Exogenous surfactant therapy
The multiple-hit model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) developed by our group closely replicates the clinical manifestations of the disease. This experimental framework provides a valuable platform for investigating novel therapeutic strategies.
Group has contributed to the evaluation of experimental anti-inflammatory and surfactant-based therapies, as well as to the assessment of non-conventional ventilatory approaches.
A particularly dynamic line of research focuses on the next-generation synthetic surfactants, emphasizing the design, synthesis, and purification of complex peptide analogues of surfactant proteins — among the most hydrophobic and functionally unique molecules in the human body.
Distribution of surfactant in lungs
The distribution of exogenous surfactant within the lungs remains an important open question. Our current efforts aim to develop and optimize an MRI-based imaging protocol to visualize and quantify the intrapulmonary spread of administered surfactant formulations.
Transcriptomics and metabolomics
Research into acute lung injury fundamentally depends on a detailed understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the disease.
In our laboratory, we integrate transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling with advanced experimental models of acute lung injury to uncover molecular signatures associated with surfactant dysfunction, inflammation, and alveolar barrier disruption. By combining omics data with physiological and biochemical analyses, we aim to construct a comprehensive picture of the disease process and its modulation by therapeutic interventions.
These approaches are particularly valuable for assessing the efficacy and mechanisms of action of novel synthetic surfactants.
Our Team
Pavol Mikolka
Originally trained at the Department of Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Pavol became deeply fascinated by experimental models of acute lung injury, anti-inflammatory and surfactant-based therapies, and non-conventional ventilatory strategies.
During his postdoctoral fellowship in Johansson lab at Karolinska Institutet, he gained valuable experience with exogenous surfactant preparations used in neonatology.
His current research primarily focuses on evaluating next-generation synthetic surfactants under experimental conditions, aiming to advance their translation into clinical practice.
Petra Kosutova
Postdoctoral researcher at Biomedical Center Martin with interest in respirology.
Maros Kolomaznik
Postdoctoral researcher at Biomedical Centre Martin with interest in surfactant biology. His research is focused on pulmonary surfactant, acute lung injury and evaluation of the biophysical activity of surfactants of various origins.
Nikolett Nemcova
PhD student at Department of Physiology JFM CU with interest in molecular biology of exogenous surfactant. Master of Science in Molecular Biology.
Maria Zahurancova
PhD student at the Department of Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, with a research interest in the physiology of exogenous surfactants. Holds a Master’s degree in Animal Physiology.
Publications
Košútová P, Nemcová N, Kolomazník M, Čalkovská A, Mikolka P. A novel rabbit model of severe ARDS: Synergistic effects of acid aspiration and harmful mechanical ventilation. Transl Res. 2025 Jul;281:43-54. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2025.05.009.
Mikolka P, Kosutova P, Kolomaznik M, Nemcova N, Hanusrichterova J, Curstedt T, Johansson J, Calkovska A. The Synthetic Surfactant CHF5633 Restores Lung Function and Lung Architecture in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Adult Rabbits. Lung. 2024 Jun;202(3):299-315. doi: 10.1007/s00408-024-00689-z.
Mikolka P, Kronqvist N, Haegerstrand-Björkman M, et al. Synthetic surfactant with a combined SP-B and SP-C analogue is efficient in rabbit models of adult and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome [published online ahead of print, 2023 Jul 26]. Transl Res. 2023;S1931-5244(23)00127-5. doi:10.1016/j.trsl.2023.07.009.
Kolomaznik M, Hanusrichterova J, Mikolka P, et al. Efficiency of exogenous surfactant combined with intravenous N-acetylcysteine in two-hit rodent model of ARDS. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2023;316:104138. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2023.104138. Read more
Kosutova P, Mikolka P, Mokra D, Calkovska A. Anti-inflammatory activity of non-selective PDE inhibitor aminophylline on the lung tissue and respiratory parameters in animal model of ARDS. J Inflamm (Lond). 2023;20(1):10. Published 2023 Mar 16. doi:10.1186/s12950-023-00337-y. Read more
Mikolka P, Kosutova P, Kolomaznik M, et al. Efficacy of surfactant therapy of ARDS induced by hydrochloric acid aspiration followed by ventilator-induced lung injury – an animal study. Physiol Res. 2022;71(S2):S237-S249. doi:10.33549/physiolres.935003. Read more
Košutova P, Mikolka P. Aspiration syndromes and associated lung injury: incidence, pathophysiology and management. Physiol Res. 2021 Dec 30;70(Suppl4):S567-S583. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934767. PMID: 35199544. Read more
Kosutova P, Kolomaznik M, Calkovska A, Mokra D, Mikolka P. Nitric-Oxide-Releasing Dexamethasone Derivative NCX-1005 Improves Lung Function and Attenuates Inflammation in Experimental Lavage-Induced ARDS. Pharmaceutics. 2021 Dec 5;13(12):2092. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122092. PMID: 34959373; PMCID: PMC8703685. Read more
Kolomaznik M, Mikolka P, Hanusrichterova J, Kosutova P, Matasova K Jr, Mokra D, Calkovska A. N-Acetylcysteine in Mechanically Ventilated Rats with Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: The Effect of Intravenous Dose on Oxidative Damage and Inflammation. Biomedicines. 2021 Dec 12;9(12):1885. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9121885. PMID: 34944701; PMCID: PMC8698392. Read more
Mikolka P, Curstedt T, Feinstein R, Larsson A, Grendar M, Rising A, Johansson J. Impact of synthetic surfactant CHF5633 with SP-B and SP-C analogues on lung function and inflammation in rabbit model of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Physiol Rep. 2021 Jan;9(1):e14700. doi: 10.14814/phy2.14700.
Zebialowicz Ahlström J, Massaro F, Mikolka P, Feinstein R, Perchiazzi G, Basabe-Burgos O, Curstedt T, Larsson A, Johansson J, Rising A. Synthetic surfactant with a recombinant surfactant protein C analogue improves lung function and attenuates inflammation in a model of acute respiratory distress syndrome in adult rabbits. Respir Res. 2019 Nov 6;20(1):245. doi: 10.1186/s12931-019-1220-x. PMID: 31694668; PMCID: PMC6836435. Read more
Funding
We are grateful for any support of our research:
UK/1144/2025
Grant for a full-time doctoral student of the Comenius University
Nikolett Nemcova, Grant Recipient
VEGA 1/0026/25
Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and Slovak Academy of Sciences
Research topic: Efficacy of a synthetic surfactant with a combined SP-B and SP-C peptide in an experimental model of respiratory distress syndrome. Dr. Pavol Mikolka, Principal Investigator
Fellowship for excellent researchers R2
Fellowship of the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic, as the Executor of Component 9 of the Recovery and Resilience Plan at supporting basic and applied research carried out in Slovakia by excellent domestic and foreign researchers in the R2 to R4 career phase.
Dr. Petra Kosutova, Fellowship recipient in the R2 career phase
UK/101/2023
Grant for a full-time doctoral student of the Comenius University
VEGA 1/0004/21
Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and Slovak Academy of Sciences
Research topic: Synthetic surfactant with surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C analogues and anti-inflammatory therapy in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Dr. Pavol Mikolka, Principal Investigator
Chiesi Farmaceutici
Chiesi provides exogenous surfactants (poractant alfa and CHF5633) used in our experiments.
News
New PhD. students
Welcome to the lab, Maria, our new student!
Open PhD. positions
AY 2025/2026
Research topics:
1. Modulácia pľúcneho surfaktantu ako terapeutický prístup pri akútnom poškodení pľúc / Pulmonary surfactant modulation as a therapeutic approach for acute lung injury
2. Vývoj a charakterizácia surfaktantových preparátov novej generácie pre klinické využitie / Development and characterization of next-generation surfactant preparations for clinical use
Open PhD. positions
AY 2024/2025
Školiteľ/Tutor: RNDr. Pavol Mikolka, PhD. 1. Téma/Topic: Surfaktant a poruchy pľúcnej homeostázy – úloha syntetických surfaktantov pri akútnom poškodení pľúc/ Surfactant and pulmonary homeostasis disorders - the role of synthetic surfactants in acute lung injury. 2. Téma/Topic: Syntetické surfaktanty pri ochoreniach súvisiacich s primárnym a sekundárnym deficitom pľúcneho surfaktantu – predklinická štúdia/ Synthetic surfactants in diseases related to primary and secondary pulmonary surfactant deficiency - preclinical study. Forma štúdia/Form of study: denná/full-time Please contact us if interested.
Open PhD. positions
AY 2022/2023
Research topics:
1. Acute lung injury after aspiration of sterile gastric content: mechanisms and treatment
2. The use of new generation pulmonary surfactants in acute lung injury
Please contact us if interested.
2021-12-20
Funding from National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic received for 3-month research stay at Karolinska Institutet.
2021-09-30
Eset Science award international jury nominated Pavol as finalist Exceptional young scientist in Slovakia under the age 35. Read more
2021-01-01
Funding from Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic received.
Contact
Asst. Prof. Pavol Mikolka
Department of Physiology
Biomedical Centre Martin
Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin
Comenius University
Office: BioMed 3.28
Tel: (421) 43 2633-473
E-mail: pavol.mikolka@uniba.sk
About us
Newly established research group focusing on the pathophysiology of pulmonary surfactant and
linked acute lung injury.
Contact
Pavol Mikolka, RNDr. PhD.
pavol.mikolka@uniba.sk
Department of physiology
Jessenius faculty of medicine
Address
Jessenius Faculty of Medicine
Comenius University
Malá hora 4C
036 01 Martin
Slovakia