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Assoc. Prof. PharmDr. Andrej Kováčik, Ph.D.

Personal Profiles

Born: March 28, 1989

Address: Department of Pharmaceutical technology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

Phone: +420 495 067 340, E-mail: kovacika@faf.cuni.cz

LInkedIn Research Gate ORCID

Current Job

  • associate professor and Head of Department of Pharmaceutical Technology

  • member and researcher of Skin Barrier Research Group

  • member of Czech society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Lipidomic section; since 2018), Czech Society of Cosmetology (since 2018), Czech Chemical Society (since 2015), Czech Pharmaceutical Society (sections: Chemical Drugs, Clinical Pharmacy, History of Pharmacy; since 2014)

  • member od Editorial Board of Česká a slovenská farmacie (Czech and Slovak Pharmacy)

Education

  • 2022: Associate Professor (doc.) at Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University

  • 2018: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmDr.) at Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University

  • 2017: PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry (Ph.D.) at Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University

  • 2013: Master of Pharmacy (Mgr.) at Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University

Teaching Activities

  • Pharmaceutical Technology/Dosage Forms, Technology of Cosmetics

  • supervisor of Master, Rigorous and PhD students

  • Book: Šklubalová Z. et al. Základní praktická cvičení z farmaceutické technologie. 2020, Karolinum, ISBN: 978-80-246-4582-7.

Awards

Research Interests

  • skin barrier, stratum corneum, skin lipids, ceramides

  • model lipid membranes – membrane systems, permeability studies, TEWL

  • model membrane biophysics – infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction

  • (trans)dermal drug delivery, permeation enhancers

Work Experience and Fellowships

  • 2017 (6 months): Institut für Medizinische Physik und Biophysik der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Leipzig (Prof. Dr. Daniel Huster, Leipzig, Germany)

  • 2017 (1 week): Training Course “Interpretation of vibrational spectra” (Prague, Czech Republic)

  • 2015: Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (JINR, Dubna, Russian Federation)

  • 2012 (3 months): Thomayer Hospital (Pharmacy, Prague, Czech Republic)

  • 2012/2013 (3 months): Homolka Hospital (Pharmacy, Prague, Czech Republic)

Grants

  • 2019-2021:  Czech Science Foundation and German Science Foundation project 19-09135J "Ultralong chain ceramides in membrane models of healthy and diseased skin barrier" – co-worker

  • 2016-2018: Czech Science Foundation and German Science Foundation project 16-25687J "Interdependencies between Inflammatory Processes and Barrier Lipids in Diseased Skin" – co-worker

  • 2014-2016: Grant of Charles University (GAUK 1868214) – principal researcher

  • 2013-2017: Czech Science Foundation project 13-23891S: "Lipid membrane models – a new tool for studying pathophysiology of skin diseases at a molecular level" (13-23891S) – co-worker

  • 2011-2013: Czech Science Foundation project 207/11/0365 "Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of skin ceramides and compounds targeting them" – co-worker

Publications

  1. Paraskevopoulos, G.,# Opálka, L.,# Kováčik, A., Paraskevopoulou, A., Panoutsopoulou, E., Sagrafena, I., Pullmannová, P., Čáp, R., Vávrová, K. Lysosphingolipids in ceramide-deficient skin lipid models. J. Lipid Res. 2024, in press, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100722, #equal contribution, #equal contribution.

  2. Sagrafena, I.,∙ Morin, M., Paraskevopoulos, G.,  Nilsson, EJ., Hrdinová, I., Kováčik, A., Björklund, S., Vávrová, K. Structure and function of skin barrier lipids: Effects of hydration and natural moisturizers in vitro. Biophys. J. 2024, 123:3951–3963.

  3. Dwivedi, A., Mazumder, A., Pullmannová, P., Paraskevopoulou, A., Opálka, L., Kováčik, A., Macháček, M., Jančálková, P., Svačinová, P., Peterlik, H., Maixner, J., Vávrová, K. Lipid Monolayer on Cell Surface Protein Templates Functional Extracellular Lipid Assembly. Small. 2024, 2307793.

  4. Kováčik A, Kopečná M, Hrdinová I, Opálka L, Bonchewa Bettex M, Vávrová K. Time-Dependent Differences in the Effects of Oleic Acid and Oleyl Alcohol on the Human Skin Barrier. Mol. Pharm. 2023, 20(12):6237–6245.

  5. Juhaščik M, Štarmanová K, Brandejsová M, Večeřová P, Hermannová M, Exnerová A, Vagnerová H, Štrympl O, Nešporová K, Kováčik A, Velebný V, Huerta-Ángeles G. Synthesis and self-assembling of hyaluronan grafted with ceramide NP for topical drug delivery. Carbohydr. Polym. 2023, 121283.

  6. Jančálková P, Kopečná M, Kurka M, Kováčik A,  Opálka L, Sagrafena I, Vávrová K. Skin Barrier Fine-Tuning through Low-Temperature Lipid Chain Transition. J. Invest. Dermatol., 2023, 143(12):2427-2435. 

  7. Pullmannová P, Čuříková-Kindlová BA, Ondrejcekova L, Kováčik A, Dvořáková K, Dulanská L, Georgii R, Majcher A, Maixner J, Kučerka N, Zbytovská J, Vávrová K. Polymorphism, Nanostructures, and Barrier Properties of Ceramide-Based Lipid Film. ACS Omega. 2023, 8:422-435.

  8. Juhaščik M, Kováčik A, Huerta-Angeles G. Recent Advances of Hyaluronan for Skin Delivery: From Structure to Fabrication Strategies and Applications. Polymers. 2022, 14(22):4833.

  9. Fandrei F, Engberg O, Opálka L, Jančálková P, Pullmannová P, Steinhart M, Kováčik A, Vávrová K, Huster D. Cholesterol sulfate fluidizes the sterol fraction of the stratum corneum lipid phase and increases its permeability. J. Lipid Res. 2022; 63(3):100177.

  10. Kováčik A, Pullmannová P, Opálka L, Šilarová M, Maixner J, Vávrová K. Effects of (R)- and (S)-α-Hydroxylation of Acyl Chains in Sphingosine, Dihydrosphingosine and Phytosphingosine Ceramides on Phase Behavior and Permeability of Skin Lipid Models. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 7468.

  11. Šnejdrová E, Martiška J, Loskot J, Paraskevopoulos G, Kováčik A, Regdon G, Budai-Szuecse M, Palát K, Konečná K. PLGA based film forming systems for superficial fungal infections treatment. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 2021, 136:105855 .

  12. Kopečná M,  Kováčik A,  Novák P,  Boncheva Bettex M, Vávrová K. Transdermal Permeation and Skin Retention of Diclofenac and Etofenamate/Flufenamic Acid From Over-the-Counter Pain Relief Products. J. Pharm. Sci. 2021, 110(6):2517-2523.

  13. Engberg O,# Kováčik A,# Pullmannová P,# Juhaščik M, Opálka L, Huster D, Vávrová K. The Sphingosine and Acyl Chains of Ceramide [NS] Show Very Different Structure and Dynamics Challenging Our Understanding of the Skin Barrier. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 132 (40), 17536-17540. #equal contribution

  14. Jevtić M, Löwa A, Nováčková A, Kováčik A, Kaessmeyer S, Erdmann G, Vávrová K, Hedtrich S. Impact of intercellular crosstalk between epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts on skin homeostasis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2020;1867(8):118722.

  15. Kováčik A,  Pullmannová P,  Pavlíková L,  Maixner J, Vávrová K. Behavior of 1-Deoxy-, 3-Deoxy- and N-Methyl-Ceramides in Skin Barrier Lipid Models. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10 (1).

  16. Kováčik A,  Kopečná M, Vávrová K. Permeation enhancers in transdermal drug delivery: benefits and limitations. Expert Opin. Drug Deliv. 2020, 17 (2), 145-155.

  17. Opálka L,  Kováčik A,  Pullmannová P,  Maixner J, Vávrová K. Effects of omega-O-acylceramide structures and concentrations in healthy and diseased skin barrier lipid membrane models. J. Lipid Res. 2020, 61 (2), 219-228.

  18. Elpelt A,  Ivanov D,  Novackova A,  Kováčik A,  Sochorova M,  Saeidpour S,  Teutloff C,  Lohan SB,  Lademann J,  Vavrova K,  Hedtrich S, Meinke MC. Investigation of TEMPO partitioning in different skin models as measured by EPR spectroscopy - Insight into the stratum corneum. J. Magn. Reson. 2020, 310, 106637.

  19. Pullmannova P, Ermakova E, Kovacik A, Opalka L, Maixner J, Zbytovska J, Kucerka N, Vavrova K. Long And Very Long Lamellar Phases In Model Stratum Corneum Lipid Membranes. J. Lipid Res. 2019, 60(5):963-971.

  20. Hausmann Ch, Zoschke Ch, Wolff Ch, Darvin M, Sochorová M, Kováčik A, Wanjiku B, Schumacher F, Tigges J, Kleuser B, Lademann J, Fritsche E, Vávrová K, Ma N, Schaefer-Korting M. Fibroblast origin shapes tissue homeostasis, epidermal differentiation, and drug uptake. Sci. Rep. 2019, 9:2913.

  21. Kopečná M, Kováčik A, Kučera O, Macháček M, Sochorová M, Audrlická P, Vávrová K. Fluorescent Penetration Enhancers Reveal Complex Interactions among the Enhancer, Drug, Solvent, and Skin. Mol. Pharm. 2019, 16(2):886-897.

  22. Sochorová M, Audrlická P, Červená M, Kováčik A, Kopečná M, Opálka L, Pullmannová P, Vávrová K. Permeability and microstructure of cholesterol-depleted skin lipid membranes and human stratum corneum. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2019, 535:227-238.

  23. Balansin Rigon R, Kaessmeyer S, Wolff C, Hausmann C, Zhang N, Sochorová M, Kováčik A, Haag R, Vávrová K, Ulrich M, Schäfer-Korting M, Zoschke, C. Ultrastructural and molecular analysis of ribose-induced glycated reconstructed human skin. Int J Mol Sci. 2018, 19: 3521.

  24. Sochorová M, Staňková K, Pullmannová P, Kováčik A, Zbytovská J, Vávrová K. Permeability Barrier and Microstructure of Skin Lipid Membrane Models of Impaired Glucosylceramide Processing​. Sci. Rep. 2017, 7(1):6470.

  25. Kováčik A, Vogel A, Adler J, Pullmannová P, Vávrová K, Huster D. Probing the Role of Ceramide Hydroxylation in Skin Barrier Lipid Models by 2H Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy and X-Ray Powder Diffraction. Biochim. Biophys. Acta - Biomembranes. 2018, 1860(5):1162-1170.

  26. Kováčik A, Pullmannová P, Maixner J, Vávrová K. Effects of Ceramide and Dihydroceramide Stereochemistry at C-3 on the Phase Behavior and Permeability of Skin Lipid Membranes. Langmuir. 2018, 34(1):521–529.

  27. Čuříková BA, Procházková K, Filková B, Diblíková P, Svoboda J, Kováčik A, Vávrová K, Zbytovská J. Simplified Stratum Corneum Model Membranes for Studying the Effects of Permeation Enhancers. Int. J. Pharm. 2017, 534(1-2):287-296. 

  28. Svoboda M, Hlobilová M, Marešová M, Sochorová M, Kováčik A, Vávrová K, Dolečková I. Comparison of suction blistering and tape stripping for analysis of epidermal genes, proteins and lipids. Arch. Dermatol. Res. 2017, 309(9):757-765.

  29. Stahlberg S, Eichner A, Sonnenberger S, Kováčik A, Lange S, Schmitt T, Demé B, Hauss T, Dobner B, Neubert RHH, Huster D. The Influence of a Novel Dimeric Ceramide Molecule on the Nanostructure and the Thermotropic Phase Behavior of a Stratum Corneum Model Mixture Langmuir. 2017, 33(36):9211-9221.

  30. Sochorová M, Staňková K, Pullmannová P, Kováčik A, Zbytovská J, Vávrová K. Permeability Barrier and Microstructure of Skin Lipid Membrane Models of Impaired Glucosylceramide Processing​. Sci. Rep. 2017, 7(1):6470.

  31. Vávrová K, Kováčik A, Opálka L. Ceramides in the Skin Barrier.  Eur. Pharm. J. 2017, 64 (1):1-8.

  32. Pullmannová P, Pavlíková L, Kováčik A, Sochorová M, Školová B, Slepička P, Maixner J, Zbytovská J, Vávrová K. Permeability and Microstructure of Model Stratum Corneum Lipid Membranes Containing Ceramides With Long (C16) and Very Long (C24) Acyl Chains. Biophys. Chem. 2017; 224:20-31.

  33. Školová B, Kováčik A, Tesař O, Opálka L, Vávrová K. Phytosphingosine, sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine ceramides in model skin lipid membranes: permeability and biophysics. Biochim. Biophys. Acta - Biomembranes. 2017; 1859(5):824-834.

  34. Opálka L, Kováčik A, Maixner J, Vávrová K. Omega-O-acylceramides in Skin Lipid Membranes: Effects of Concentration, Sphingoid Base and Model Complexity on Microstructure and Permeability. Langmuir 2016; 32(48):12894–12904.

  35. Kováčik A, Opálka L, Šilarová M, Roh J, Vávrová K. Synthesis of 6-Hydroxyceramide Using Ruthenium-Catalyzed Hydrosilylation-Protodesilylation. Unexpected Formation of a Long Periodicity Lamellar Phase in Skin Lipid Membranes. RSC Adv. 2016; 6(77), 73343-73350.

  36. Wallmeyer L, Lehnen D, Eger N, Sochorová M, Opálka L, Kováčik A, Vávrová K, Hedtrich S. Stimulation of PPARalpha Normalizes the Skin Lipid Ratio and Improves the Skin Barrier of Normal and Filaggrin Deficient Reconstructed Skin. J. Dermatol. Sci. 2015; 80(2):102–110.

  37. Kováčik A, Roh J, Vávrová K. The chemistry and biology of 6 hydroxyceramide, the youngest member of the human sphingolipid family. ChemBioChem 2014, 15:1555-1562.

  38. Školová B, Hudská K, Pullmannová P, Kováčik A, Palát K, Roh J, Fleddermann J, Estrela-Lopis I, Vávrová K. Different Phase Behavior and Packing of Ceramides with Long (C16) and Very Long (C24) Acyls in Model Membranes: Infrared Spectroscopy Using Deuterated Lipids. J Phys Chem B. 2014, 118 (35), 10460–10470.

Patents

  1. Juhaščik, M., Huerta-Ángeles, G., Štarmanová, Štěpán, P., Exnerová A., Nešporová K., Kováčik, A., Brandejsová, M., Večeřová, P., Polášková J., Hermannová, M., Buffa, R., Vágnerová, H., Velebný V., Ester conjugate of sphingolipid and hyaluronan, method of synthesis thereof, composition containing thereof, use of conjugate or composition (No. PV2023-171; in the approval process).

Articles for Pharmacists

  1. Vraníková B, Kováčik A. Medical devices in wound healing V: Special types of wound plasters II. Čes. slov. farm.. 2024, 73(4):261-264.

  2. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. What should we know about the skin as an application site for (not only) dermo-cosmetic products? Čes. slov. farm. 2024, 73(2):88-92.

  3. Vraníková B, Kováčik A. Medical devices in wound healing IV: Hydrogels, Hydrocolloids, and Hydrofibers. Farmac. praxi. 2023, 19(4): 240-247.

  4. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. Classification and basic usage principles of sunscreen preparations. Farmac. praxi. 2023, 19(2): 128-134.

  5. Vraníková B, Kováčik A. Medical devices in wound healing III: Special types of wound plasters. Farmac. praxi. 2023, 19(1): 38-43.

  6. Vraníková B, Kováčik A. Overview of medical devices for incontinent patients and their prescription. Med. praxi. 2023, 20(1):47-52.

  7. Vraníková B, Kováčik A.  Medical devices in wound healing II: Wound plasters. Prakt. lékáren. 2022, 18(4): 247-251.

  8. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. Classification and basic usage principles of preparations for hair care. Prakt. lékáren. 2022, 18(3): 176-182.

  9. Vraníková B, Kováčik A. Medical devices in wound healing I: Traditional and gauze dressings. Prakt. lékáren. 2022, 18(2):116-121.

  10. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. What we (do not) know about cosmetics or cosmetology for pharmacists. Prakt. lékáren. 2022, 18(1): 53-57.

  11. Vraníková B, Kováčik A, Svačinová P. Cosmetic preparations in the care of incontinence patients. Urol. praxi. 2022, 23(1):27-31.

  12. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. Rectal medical preparations available in the Czech Republic and the basic principles of their application. Prakt. lékáren. 2021, 17(4): 239-244.

  13. Vraníková B, Kováčik A, Svačinová P. Cosmetic preparations in the care of incontinence patients. Prakt. lékáren. 2021, 17(3):184-188.

  14. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. Technology and preparation of radiopharmaceutical preparations at the departments of nuclear medicine. Prakt. lékáren. 2021, 17(3):171-174.

  15. Kováčik A, Vraníková B, Paraskevopolos G. Classification and basic usage principles of preparations against sweating. Prakt. lékáren. 2021, 17(3):189-192.

  16. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. Vaginal medicinal preparations available in the Czech Republic and the basic principles of their application. Prakt. lékáren. 2021, 17(2):129-134.

  17. Vraníková B, Kováčik A, Svačinová P. Medical devices for patient suffering from incontinence II.: Collection and other non-absorbing devices. Prakt. lékáren. 2021, 17(2):121-128.

  18. Vraníková B, Kováčik A, Svačinová P. Medical devices for patients suffering from incontinence I: Absorbent devices. Prakt. lékáren. 2021, 17(1):49-54.

  19. Vraníková B, Kováčik A, Svačinová P. Medical devices for ostomy patients II.: Supplementary devices in ostomy care. Prakt. lékáren. 2020, 16(4):221-225.

  20. Kováčik A, Paraskevopolos G, Vraníková B. Preparations for care of teeth and oral cavity. Prakt. lékáren. 2020, 16(4):243-246.

  21. Vraníková B, Kováčik A, Svačinová P. Medical devices for ostomy patients I.: One-piece systems, two-piece systems and adhesive technology​. Prakt. lékáren. 2020, 16(3):150-153.

  22. Kováčik A, Vraníková B. Transdermal medical preparations available in Czech Republic and basic principles of their application. Prakt. lékáren. 2020, 16(2):97-99.

Presentations at Conferences

2025:

  • APV Skin Forum 2025 Annual Meeting (Berlin, Germany; poster + oral presentation)

  • 5th European Conference on Pharmaceutics (Porto, Portugal; poster)

2024:

  • 3rd International Conference of Contemporary Pharmacy Challenges (Kraków, Poland; poster)

2023:

  • Advances in Pharmaceutical Technology (Brno, Czech Republic)

  • 39th Technology Days (Bratislava, Slovakia, chairman)

  • Conference Recent Advances In Pharmaceutical Technology (Hradec Králové, Czech Republic)

2022:

  • The 7th Czech Lipidomics Conference (Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; poster + organizing committee)

  • Kongres Praktického lékárenství (Olomouc, Czech Republic; oral presentation)

  • Advances in Pharmaceutical Technology (Brno, Czech Republic)

2021:

  • Advances in Pharmaceutical Technology (Brno, Czech Republic)

2020:

  • Kongres Praktického lékárenství (Olomouc, Czech Republic; oral presentation)

  • Technological Seminar for Pharmacists (Prague, Czech Republic; oral presentation)

  • Advances in Pharmaceutical Technology (Brno, Czech Republic)

2019:

  • Skin Forum (Skin health and topical formulation - new insights and perspectives), Reims, France (poster)

  • Advances in Pharmaceutical Technology (Brno, Czech Republic)

2018:

  • Advances in Pharmaceutical Technology (Brno, Czech Republic; oral presentation)

  • Skin Forum (Skin health and topical formulation - new insights and perspectives), Tallin, Estonia (poster)

  • Czech Lipidomics Conference, Prague, Czech Republic (poster)

  • Sanofi Prize Meeting (Prague, Czech Republic; oral presentation)

  • Perspectives in Percutaneous Penetration, La Grande Motte, France (poster)

2017:

  • European Epidermal Barrier Research Network Meeting (E2BRN), Salzburg, Austria (poster + oral presentation)

  • 12th Sphingolipid Club Meeting, Trabia, Sicily, Italy (poster)

  • XVII. Interdisciplinary Meeting of Young Biologists, Biochemists and Chemists, Milovy, Czech Republic (poster) 

2016:

  • 6th Postgraduate and 4th Postdoc Conference, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (oral presentation)

  • Perspectives in Percutaneous Penetration, La Grande Motte, France (poster)

  • The 5th Czech Lipidomics Conference, Prague, Czech Republic (poster)

  • The 45th Conference Drug Synthesis and Analysis, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (oral presentation)

  • 4th European Joint Theoretical/Experimental Meeting on Membranes, Bratislava, Slovakia (poster)

2015:

  • 5th Postgraduate and 3rd Postdoc Conference, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (oral presentation)

  • Gordon Research Conference: Barrier Function of Mammalian Skin, Waterville, New Hampshire, USA (poster)

  • 50th Advances in Organic, Bioorganic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Olomouc, Czech Republic (poster)

2014:

  • 4th Postgraduate and 2nd Postdoc Conference, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (oral presentation)

  • Perspectives in Percutaneous Penetration, La Grande Motte, France (poster)

  • Skin Forum (Percutaneous Penetration – Measurement, Modulation and Modelling), Prague, Czech Republic (poster)

  • 49th Advances in Organic, Bioorganic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Lázně Bělohrad, Czech Republic (poster)

2013:

  • 48th Advances in Organic, Bioorganic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Špindlerův Mlýn, Czech Republic (poster)

2012:

  • International Student Research Conference, Prague, Czech Republic (oral presentation; 1st Prize)

Other Activities

  • 2021: author of the research video "Farmaceut pánem času" (Czech European Researchs´ Night)

  • 2018: delegate of Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové on fair GAUDEAMUS (Nitra, Slovakia)

  • 2016-2022: collaboration in “SCIO” tests (chemistry) for grammar students

  • 2015: main author of the exposition of Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové at “Nábřeží vysokých škol” exhibition (Hradec Králové)

  • 2014: main author and coordinator of the exposition of Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové at “Nábřeží vysokých škol” exhibition (Hradec Králové)
    Kováčik A. Čas. čes. lék. 2014, 86(10): 29 (article in Czech)

  • 2013: co-author of the exposition of Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové at “The Day of Science” exhibition (Prague)
    Kováčik A, Pilařová V. Čas. čes. lék. 2013, 85(12): 26 (article in Czech)

  • 2011-2018: guide and worker in the Czech Pharmaceutical Museum in Kuks

Additional Skills

  • languages: English, German, Russian (basics)

  • computer skills: OS Windows, MS Office, MestreNova, ChemDraw, GraphPad, OPUS, X'Pert Data Viewer

  • driving licence “B”

Interests and Hobbies

  • sports: swimming, jogging

  • music: alternative rock and alternative pop

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