The Edinburgh Cell Wall Group

The Edinburgh Cell Wall Group

 The University of Edinburgh
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Dr. Lenka Franková

Lenka Franková

Personal Details
Name : Lenka Franková
Email address : lenka.frankova@ed.ac.uk
Nationality : Slovak
Position : 2023-present: Senior Research Associate at The University of Edinburgh
: 2021-2022: Visiting Scientist at The University of Edinburgh
: 2020-2021: Senior Research Associate at The University of Edinburgh
: 2017-2019: Visiting Scientist at The University of Edinburgh; Lecturer at Newcastle University
: 2007-2016: Postdoctoral Research Associate at The University of Edinburgh

Qualifications

  • Master of Science – M.Sc. (Pharmacy) Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia (1994-1999)
  • Doctor of Pharmacy – PharmDr. (Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and Biochemistry) Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia (1999)
  • Doctor of Philosophy – PhD. (Plant Biochemistry) Institute of Botany, Department of Plant Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia (2000-2005)

Research

  • Current research area: cell wall glycobiology and enzymology, wall-remodelling, transglycosylases, glycosylhydrolases, algae, biofuels, carbohydrates, enzyme screens

    • Projects and fundings (involvement as a PDRA, research scientist/ PI & co-PI)
  • Development of recyclable, sustainable and functionalised packaging materials using plant-based technology to replace plastic
    Research funding: CelluComp/BBSRC & Innovate UK, Edinburgh University (Oct 2023-present)
  • Optimisation of assay to determine polysaccharide composition of seaweed crops for commercial applications
    Research funding: Oceanium/BBSRC IAA, Edinburgh University (March 2023-Sept 2023)
  • Enhancement of ‘waste’ cellulosic materials to manufacture Curran.
    Research funding: CelluComp (Sept 2022-Feb 2023)
  • Using a unique plant enzyme to enhance the strength, viscosity and wettability of commercial cellulosic materials
    Research funding: BBSRC/FTMA, Edinburgh University (2022)
  • A novel plant enzyme for enhancing the viscosity or hydrophobicity of cellulosic materials
    Research funding: IBiolC, Edinburgh University (2021)
  • Equisetum hetero-trans-β-glucanase (HTG) as a tool to modify commercial cellulosic materials for strength and antisepsis
    Research funding: BBSRC, IAA, Edinburgh University (2020-2021)
  • N8 Internal Pump Priming grant for Collaborative Research with Industry
    Research funding: N8 Pump Priming, Newcastle University and LabLogic (2018-2019)
  • The agri-diagnostic characterisation of algal cell walls for food and biotechnology use
    Research funding: BBSRC DTP, Newcastle University & Durham University (2019)
  • Microarray profiling of diverse polysaccharide classes from nutritionally important geophytic crops and algae
    Research funding: Erasmus+, Newcastle University (2018)
  • Bioprospecting and pathovar profiling of plant pathogenic bacteria using novel high throughput technology platforms
    Research funding: AFRI, Newcastle University (2017-2018)
  • Understanding the role of dynamic cell wall modification in macroalgal growth and development
    BBSRC DTP, Newcastle University & Durham University (2017-2018)
  • Potential of hetero-trans-β-glucanase (HTG) to enhance mechanical properties of cereals
    Research funding: BBSRC, Edinburgh University (2016)
  • Quantification of EGF-protein conjugated vaccines
    Research funding: Bioven UK, Edinburgh University (March 2016)
  • Devising new chromogenic detection systems
    Research funding: Leica Biosystems (November 2014-March 2015)
  • Novel hetero-transglycosylase from horstail: Characterisation of the native and recombinant protein
    Research funding: Bayer CropScience Belgium (2014)

  • Novel plant cell wall targets for herbicides: Defining the effectiveness and in-vivo phytotoxicity of selected 'hit' xenobiotics on model monocots and dicots
    Research funding: BBSRC - Sparking Impact Fund; Bayer CropScience Frankfurt (2014)
  • New cell wall polysaccharides and enzymes that remodel them in charophytic algae: Exploring the wall matrix arrangement and re-modelling in the closest living algal relatives of land plants; Devising and applying various assays for in-vivo, in-vitro and in-situ detection of wall-modifying enzymes (transglycanases and transglycosidases).
    Research funding: Leverhulme Foundation (2010-2013)
  • Selective chemical intervention in plant cell-wall polysaccharide metabolism: Profiling multiple enzyme activities involved in plant growth and development; Devising and using effective screens for wall-remodelling enzymes
    Research funding: BBSRC (2007-2010)

Previous Research Interests

  • Biochemistry and physiology of medicinal and crop plants
  • Starch, fructan and sucrose metabolism in cormous, tuberous and bulbous geophytes
  • Proteolysis and vegetative storage proteins
  • Heavy metal and drought stress
  • Biosynthesis and conjugation of plant secondary metabolites (alkaloids and phenolic compounds)
  • Pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy and toxicology

Teaching and tutoring university modules

  • Introductory Biochemistry for Biologists: Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (lectures and practicals)
  • Origin and Diversity of Life (workshops): The University of Edinburgh, SBS
  • Structures and Functions of Proteins (workshops and practicals): The University of Edinburgh, SBS
  • The Green Planet (seminars and practicals): The University of Edinburgh, SBS
  • Quantification in the Life Sciences (tutorials): The University of Edinburgh, SBS

Reviewing

Reviewer of scientific manuscripts submitted to international peer-reviewed journals:

Plant Biosystems, African Journal of Botany, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Weed Research, Planta, Biologia, Flora, Database etc.

Publications

Recent peer-reviewed publications

  • L. Franková, S.C. Fry (2024) Chara — a living sister to the land plants with pivotal enzymic toolkit for mannan and xylan remodelling. Physiologia Plantarum, 176: e14134. doi: 10.1111/ppl.14134
  • M.I. Khan, R.A. Begum, L. Franková, S.C. Fry (2024) Allelochemical root-growth inhibitors in low-molecular-weight cress-seed exudate. Annals of Botany 133: 447–458. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcad200.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Novel hemicellulose-remodelling transglycanases from charophytes: towards the evolution of the land-plant cell wal. Plant J., 108: 7-28, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15500
    • Linked article: Verhage, L.: Tear down that wall-cell wall remodeling in charophyte algae. Plant J.,, 108: 5-6, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15504
  • Herburger, K., Franková, L., Pičmanová, M., Xin, A., Meulewaeter, F., Hudson, A., Fry, S.C. Defining factors that stimulate and inhibit cellulose:xyloglucan heterotransglucosylation. Plant J., 105: 1549-1565, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15131
  • Herburger, K. , Franková, L., Sanhueza, D., Roig-Sanchez, S., Meulewaeter, F., Hudson, A., Thomson, A., Laromaine, A., Budtova, T., Fry, S.C. Enzymically attaching oligosaccharide-linked ‘cargoes’ to cellulose and other commercial polysaccharides via stable covalent bonds. Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 164: 4359-4369, 2020.
  • Herburger K. , Franková L., Pičmanová M., Loh J.W., Valenzuela-Ortega M., Meulewaeter F., Hudson A., French C.E., Fry S.C. Hetero-trans-β-glucanase produces cellulose–xyloglucan covalent bonds in the cell walls of structural plant tissues and is stimulated by expansin. Molecular Plant 13: 1–16, 2020. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2020.04.011].
  • Simmons, T.J., Mohler, K.E., Holland, C., Goubet, F., Franková, L., Houston, D.R., Hudson, A.D., Meulewaeter, F., Fry, S.C.: Hetero-trans-β-glucanase, an enzyme unique to Equisetum plants, functionalises cellulose. Plant Journal 83: 753-769, 2015.
  • Chormova, D., Franková, L., Defries, A., Cutler, S.R. and Fry, S.C. Discovery of small molecule inhibitors of xyloglucan endotransglucosylase (XET) activity by high-throughput screening. Phytochemistry 117, 220-236, 2015
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: A general method for assaying homo- and hetero-transglycanase activities that act on plant cell-wall polysaccharides. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 57: 411-428, 2015.
  • Beattie, A.E., Gupta, S.D., Franková, L., Kazlauskaite, A., Harmon, J.M., Dunn, T.M., Campopiano D.J.: The Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (PLP)-Dependent Enzyme Serine Palmitoyltransferase (SPT): Effects of the small subunits and insights from bacterial mimics of human hLCB2a HSAN1 mutations. Biomed. Res. Int. 2013: Article ID 194371, 1-13, 2013.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Biochemistry and physiological roles of enzymes that ‘cut and paste’ plant cell-wall polysaccharides. (Darwin review).Journal of Experimental Botany 64: 3519-3550, 2013.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Trans-α-xylosidase, a widespread enzyme activity in plants, introduces (1→4)-α-D-xylobiose side-chains into xyloglucan structures. Phytochemistry 78: 29-43, 2012.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Trans-α-xylosidase and trans-β-galactosidase activities, widespread in plants, modify and stabilize xyloglucan structures. Plant J. 71: 45-60, 2012.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Phylogenetic variation in glycosidases and glycanases acting on plant cell wall polysaccharides, and the detection of transglycosidase and trans-α-xylanase activities. Plant J. 67: 662–681, 2011.
  • Fry, S.C., Franková, L., Chormova, D.: Setting the boundaries - primary cell wall synthesis and expansion. The Biochemist 33: 14-19,2011.
  • Fry, S.C., Mohler, K.E., Nesselrode B.H.W.A., Franková, L.: Mixed-linkage β-glucan : xyloglucan endotransglucosylase, a novel wall-remodelling enzyme from Equisetum (horsetails) and charophytic algae. The Plant Journal 55: 240-252,2008.

Book chapters

  • Franková L., Fry S.C. Activity and action of cell-wall transglycanases. In: Popper, Z. (ed) The Plant Cell Wall. Methods in Molecular Biology Vol 2149, pp 165–192, 2020. Humana, New York, NY. Print ISBN 978-1-0716-0619-3; online ISBN 978-1-0716-0621-6.

List of publications from previous research topics:

  • Franková, L., Cibírová, K., Bóka, K., Gašparíková, O., Pšenák, M.: Protein reutilisation in corms of Colchicum autumnale L. – Biologia 61: 97-102, 2006.
  • Franková, L., Cibírová, K., Bóka, K., Gašparíková, O., Pšenák, M.: The role of the roots in the life strategy of Colchicum autumnale L. – Biologia 59 (Suppl 13): 87-93, 2004.
  • Franková L., Bóka, K., Gašparíková, O., Pšenák, M. Biochemical and physiological aspects of developmental cycle of Colchicum autumnale L. – Biologia Plant. 47: 509-516, 2003-2004.
  • Franková, L., Bóka, K., Gašparíková, O., Pšenák, M. Sucrose metabolism of Colchicum autumnale L. – Pharm. Obzor 76: 8-13, 2007.
  • Franková, L., Cibírová, K., Bilka, F., Bilková, A., Balážová, A., Pšenák, M.: Nitrate reductase from the roots of Colchicum autumnale L. – Acta Facult. Pharm. Univ. Comenianae 52: 98-107, 2005.
  • Bilka, F., Bilková, A., Balážová, A., Franková, L., Vanko, M., Holková, I.: Enzymes in biosynthesis of monoterpenoid indolic alkaloids. – Pharm. Obzor. 74: 327-333, 2005.
  • Franková, L.: Basic characteristics of enzymes in the amylolytic process Biol. Listy 68: 81-107, 2003.
  • Komjáthyová, H., Franková, L., Bóka, K., Pšenák, M.: Botanical and developmental aspects of the growth of Colchicum autumnale L., autumn crocus. – Acta Fac. Rerum Nat. Univ. Comenianae, Bot. 40: 67-80, 2000.
  • Franková, L., Pšenák, M.: Cell cycle and the new possibilities in cancer therapy. – Pharma Journal IX: 131-132, 1999.

Conferences

Oral presentations

  • Franková, L. (invited speaker): Transglycosylases: tools for cell-wall remodelling. Cell wall meeting, Helsinki, Findland, January 2022.
  • Herburger, K. (speaker), Franková, L., Hudson, A, Meulewaeter F, Fry, S.C.: Hetero-trans-β-glucanase catalyses covalent bond formation between cellulose and xyloglucan (in vivo and in situ evidence). EMN Meeting, Barcelona, September 10-14, 2018.
  • Herburger, K. (speaker), Franková, L., Hudson, A.D, Leonhart, S., Meulewaeter, F., Fry S.C.: Significance of hetero-trans-β-glucanase in cell wall metabolism of Equisetum and transgenic Arabidopsis. April 2-7, 2018. Gratz, Austria
  • Franková, L. (speaker), Hudson, A.D, Fry S.C.: Hetero-trans-β-glucanase, a novel wall remodelling enzyme. In: Proceedings of the 14th Bratislava Symposium on Saccharides on Glycochemistry for biology and medicine. June, 25-30, 2017. OP14, p.52. Smolenice, Slovakia
  • Franková, L. (invited speaker).: The Charophytes’ enzymic toolkit for grafting and tethering cell-wall polysaccharides. IBCarb and Phyconet Algal Polysaccharides conference. July 14-15, 2016. Session 1, Edinburgh, UK.
  • Franková, L. (speaker), Hudson, A.D, Fry S.C.: Hetero-trans-β-glucanase, a new wall remodelling enzyme that covalenly attaches cellulose or mixed-linkage glucan to xyloglucan. In: Program and abstract book of the XIV Cell Wall Meeting. June 12-17, 2016. Session S3-01, p. 37. Chania, Greece.
  • Franková, L. (speaker), Simmons, T.J., Mohler, K.E., Holland, C., Goubet, F., Houston, D.R., Hudson, A.D, Meulewaeter, F., Fry S.C.: Hetero-trans-β-glucanase (HTG), an enzyme unique to Equisetum plants: re-structuring the plant cell wall? In: Program and abstract book of the 1st LBNet International conference on 'Conctruction and deconctruction of Lignocellulosic Biomass'. February 17-19, 2016. Session 4, abstract 21. Shrigley, UK.
  • Franková, L. (speaker), Fry S.C.: Discovery of enzymic ‘tools’ capable of grafting and tethering cell-wall polymers in the modern relatives of the algal ancestors of land plants. In: Program and abstract book of the 18th European Carbohydrate Symposium. August 2-6, 2015, O-007. Moscow, Russia.
  • Fry S.C. (invited speaker), Franková, L.: Novel transglycanases and transglycosidases acting on cell-wall polysaccharides from plants and algae. In: Program and abstract book of the 18th European Carbohydrate Symposium. August 2-6, 2015, KL-007. Moscow, Russia.
  • Franková, L. (speaker): Dot-blot assays as tools to map carbohydrate-acting enzymes and their inhibitors. NEWTON Fund and FAPESP Workshop: ‘Using systems and synthetic biology to tailor plant cell walls for a better future’. March 9-12, 2015, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Franková, L. (speaker), Fry S.C.: Discovery of novel family of herbicides that specifically target plant cell wall expansion. The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Research and Innovation Celebrating Impact Event, Kings Buildings Campus, 10th September, 2014. Edinburgh, UK
  • Franková, L. (invited speaker): “Land ahoy!” How charophytic algae became plants: Profiling the enzymic tools that laid foundations of the plant cell wall. In: Abstract book of BIT’s 2nd Annual International Congress of Algae. September 23-25, 2013, p. 194, Track 103. Hangzhou, China.
  • Franková, L. (speaker), O’Rourke, C.M., Fry, S.C.: Novel hemicellulose-remodelling transglycanases from charophytes: towards the evolution of the land-plant cell wall. In: Abstract book of the XIIIth Cell Wall Meeting. July 7-12, 2013, O3-02. Nantes, France.
  • Fry, S.C. (speaker), Franková, L., O’Rourke, C.M.: Primordial cell-wall polysaccharides and enzymes that remodel them in charophytic algae. In: Book of abstracts of SEB Annual Main Meeting. July 3-6, 2013, p. 150, P1.1. Valencia, Spain.
  • Fry, S.C. (speaker), Franková, L.: Cell wall transglycosylase activities from charophytic algae to angiosperms. Gordon Research Seminar. Plant Cell Walls: Emerging Challenges for the Next Generation of Plant Cell Wall Researchers. August 5-10, 2012, Waterville, Massachusetts, USA. October 8-9, 2011, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Fry, S.C. (speaker), Franková, L., Mohler, K.E., Simmons, T.: The in-vivo action of enzymes that loosen and tighten the plant cell wall. 9th Annual Symposium in Plant Biology on ‘Auxin and Expansion’, October 8-9, 2011, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Franková, L. (invited speaker), Fry, S.C.: Novel endotransglycosylase activities in charophyte cell walls – In: European Journal of Phycology, 46: sup1 p. 105 (9C.4), 5th European Phycological Congress, Rhodes, Greece, September 4-9, 2011.
  • Franková, L. (invited speaker), Fry, S.C.: Endotransglycosylases in charophytes: key wall-remodelling enzymes? In: Book of abstracts of Society of Experimental Biology Annual Main Meeting, Glasgow, United Kingdom, July 1-4, 2011, p. 170, C2.7.
  • Franková, L. (speaker) , Fry, S.C.: High-throughput screens for profiling multiple enzyme activities involved in plant cell expansion. IMPS forum – Edinburgh, United Kingdom, September 15th, 2010.
  • Franková, L. (speaker), Fry, S.C.: Wall-modifying enzymes in plant cell growth and development: Devising and using effective screens for profiling multiple enzyme activities. In: Book of Abstracts - Scottish Plant Biology – Dundee, United Kingdom, April 22nd, 2010, p. 17.
  • Fry, S.C. (speaker) Franková, L., Mohler, K.E., Simmons, T.: Novel endo- and exo-transglycosylase activities in land plants and charophytic algae. In: Abstract Book of XII Cell Wall Meeting – Porto, Portugal, July 25-30, 2010, p. 32, T54.
  • Fry, S.C. (speaker), Mohler, K.E., Franková, L.: Novel endo- and exo-transglycosylase activities in land plants and charophytic algae. The Plant Cell Wall Gordon Research Conference – Smithfield, USA, August 2-7, 2009.
  • Fry, S.C. (speaker), Franková, L.: Specific chemical agents to define the roles of wall enzyme in the control of plant cell growth. In: Book of Abstracts of BBSRC and EPSRC 2nd Workshop – Selective Chemical Intervention in Biological Systems (SCIBS) – Manchester, United Kingdom, November 17-18, 2008, p. 20.

Poster presentations

  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C, Herburger, K., Hudson, A, Meulewaeter F.: In-vivo and in-situ studies of GH16b hetero-trans-β-D-glucanase from Equisetum. XV International Cell Wall Meeting, Cambridge, June 7-12, 2019.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C, Herburger, K., Hudson, A, Meulewaeter F.: Discovery of hetero-trans-β-glucanase, a novel plant cell-wall remodelling enzyme from Equisetum. EMN Meeting, Barcelona, September 10-14, 2018.
  • Franková, L., Hudson, A.D, Fry S.C.: Discovery of HTG, a novel plant cell-wall remodelling enzyme. Cellulases & Other Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes Gordon Research Conference. July 23-28, 2017. GRC packet, p.3. Andover, New Hampshire, USA.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Hemicellulose-remodelling enzyme activities in charophytic algae. In: Book of abstracts of SEB Annual Main Meeting. July 3-6, 2013, p. 155, P1.21.Valencia, Spain.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: What remodels primary cell walls in charophytes? Gordon Research Seminar. Plant Cell Walls: Cell Wall Research in a Post-Genome World August 5-10, 2012, Waterville, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Novel transglycosylases in Charophytes. Gordon Research Seminar. Plant Cell Walls: Emerging Challenges for the Next Generation of Plant Cell Wall Researchers. August 4-5, 2012, Waterville, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: High-throughput screens for profiling wall-remodelling enzymes in expanding cells. 9th Annual Symposium in Plant Biology on ‘Auxin and Expansion’, October 8-9, 2011, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Franková, L., Chormova, D., Gregson, T., Fry, S.C.: Cell wall hydrolases and transglycosylases – Devising high-throughput screens for enzyme inhibitors. ICB/ISMB Symposium – Edinburgh, United Kingdom, December 1st, 2010.
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Evolution of wall-remodelling enzyme activities from charophytes to embryophytes. In: Abstract Book of 25th New Phytologist / Colston Research Society Symposium – Colonization of the terrestrial environment - Bristol, United Kingdom, September 21-22, 2010, p. 23, P5
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Novel wall-remodelling enzyme activities and polysaccharide substrates from charophytic algae. In: Abstract Book of XII Cell Wall Meeting – Porto, Portugal, July 25-30, 2010, p. 125, P116.
  • Chormova, D., Franková, L., Gregson, T., Fry, S.C.: High-throughput screening for hydrolase and transglycosylase activities and their inhibitors. In: Abstract Book of XII Cell Wall Meeting – Porto, Portugal, July 25-30, 2010, p. 64, P3. Poster
  • Franková, L., Fry, S.C.: Selective chemical intervention in plant cell-wall polysaccharide metabolism: Profiling multiple enzyme activities involved in plant growth and development. In: Book of Abstracts of BBSRC and EPSRC 2nd Workshop – Selective Chemical Intervention in Biological Systems (SCIBS) – Manchester, United Kingdom, November 17-18, 2008, p. 35-36.

Membership of Academic Societies

  • SEB (Society for Experimental Biology) 2010-2017
  • BPS (British Phycological Society) 2010-2015
  • LBNet (Lignocellulosic Biorefinery Network) 2016-present
  • FESPB (Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology) 2000-2007
  • SBS (Slovak Botanical Society) 2006-2007

Languages

  • Slovak (native), English (fluent), Czech (fluent), Polish (fluent), Russian (basic)

Hobbies

  • Painting, photography, creative art, karate, cycling, running, hillwalking.


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