This thesis is focused on the biosystematic study of the Central-European endemic Spergularia echinosperma. With the combined use of morphometric analyses, genome size measurements and molecular tools, the taxonomic issues associated with this species have been clarified. The existence of S. kurkae, a stable allotetraploid hybrid between diploid S. echinosperma and tetraploid S. rubra, has been proven. Based on several lines of evidence, including distinct morphological separation and frequent occurrence in the absence of the parental species, treating S. kurkae as a separate species is proposed. In addition, two infraspecific taxa within S. echinospermaS. echinosperma subsp. echinosperma and S. echinosperma subsp. albensisdiffering in distributions and ecology have been described. A complete revision of the localities of S. echinosperma, S. kurkae and S. rubra in the Czech Republic is also presented. Furthermore, the development of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci for S. echinosperma is reported.

The Master's thesis studied the Odontites vernus group in the Czech Republic. The group was presented by two different taxa based on the seasonal types and the ploidy levels: an early flowering tetraploid Odontites vernus subsp. vernus (2n = 4x = 40) and a late-flowering diploid Odontites vernus subsp. serotinus (2n = 2x = 18). Plants from 33 populations were sampled for measuring the ploidy level and 27 morphological characters for morphological analysis. Two ploidy levels were confirmed in the Czech Republic and a new late flowering tetraploid taxon (2n = 4x = 40) was found. The three taxa were separated from each other based on the seasonal variation, ploidy level, morphology and ecology.

The genome size of evolutionary polyploid, neopolyploid and hybrid sturgeons is well known for its high variability. Aim of this study was 1) to specify the genome size of polyploid and neopolyploid sturgeons using an analysis of 2-D and 3-D images of specifically stained cells nuclei, 2) to evaluate the samples of populations for cytogenetic analysis needs and thereafter, 3) to compare both methods and record the data either for next research or for negative selection from the broodstock. This test has been done at the laboratory of molecular, cellular and quantitative genetics, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters USB in Vodňany using all sturgeons spawners and using samples obtained from some foreign fish farms which cooperated with the faculty. The samples included A. ruthenus, A. baerii, A. stellatus, A. gueldenstaedtii and Huso huso, intentionally bred hybrids of A. gueldenstaedtii (8n) x A. baerii (12n), A. baerii (8n) x A. ruthenus (4n), A. gueldenstaedtii (8n) x A. baerii (10n) a A. gueldenstaedtii (8n) x A. ruthenus (4n). As methods have been chosen image cytometry and confocal microscopy which use image digitalization and subsequently its computer analysis. The genome size was measured from the size of specifically stained nuclei of erythrocytes in specimens sampled. Result of this study was measuring the genome size in sturgeons under study using different methods, recording the obtained data, description of spatial conformation changes of cell nucleus with increasing ploidy level and deduction of impact to their physiology and comparing the methods between each other. The conclusion is necessity of another sturgeons genome size determination , choice of the best methods for more effective search and research of non-standard individuals and subsequently an examination of their physiological differences.

The ploidy level of diploid and induced triploid tench, Tinca tinca, was verified using flow cytometry to determine relative DNA content of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-stained erythrocyte nuclei. The C-value (haploid nuclear DNA content; pgDNA.nucleus-1) of these same individuals was determined by means of Feulgen image analysis densitometry, in comparison to the chicken standard (Gallus gallus domesticus; 1.25 pgDNA.nucleus-1, P < 0.05), using three different approaches. Highly similar mean C-values were obtained, thus confirming the possibility of using tench blood as standard in European pond aquaculture for ploidy and DNA content determination in fishes. Feulgen image analysis densitometry (FIAD), flow cytometry (FC) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to study the relationship between the DNA content (pgDNA.nucleus-1), nuclear area (?m2), nuclear volume (?m3) and 3-D structure of erythrocyte nuclei in a series of fish ploidy level models: diploid tench (Tinca tinca) (2n), Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus) (2n), triploid tench (3n), evolutionary tetraploid sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) and stellate sturgeons (A. stellatus) (4n), evolutionary octaploid Siberian sturgeon (A. baerii) and Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedtii) (8n), spontaneous triploid Siberian and Russian sturgeons exhibiting dodecaploidy (12n), evolutionary 12n shortnose sturgeon (A. brevirostrum), and experimentally obtained sturgeon hybrids that were tetraploid, hexaploid (6n), heptaploid (7n), octaploid (8n), decaploid (10n), dodecaploid (12n) and/or tetradecaploid (14n). Standards used for FIA were blood smears of chicken (2.5 pgDNA.nucleus-1), diploid and induced triploid tench (2.04 and 3.1 pgDNA.nucleus-1, respectively). All ploidy levels were first verified by means of FC. Increase in ploidy was accompanied by growth of the nucleus and an increase in the number of flattened ellipsoid nuclei with increased transverse diameter. The volume (Vvoxel) of erythrocyte nuclei, as the sum of voxels calculated from live cells, seems more accurate than volume (Vaxis) calculated from measuring the major and minor axis, especially at higher and odd ploidy levels. Data of absolute and relative DNA content were in agreement with previously published reports. Species of the same ploidy level, however differing in their DNA content, exhibited a similar mean erythrocyte nuclear area, as could be demonstrated on A. ruthenusand and A. stellatus (19.27 and 19.79 ?m2 with a respective mean DNA content of 3.72 and 4.68 pgDNA.nucleus-1) and volume as could be demonstrated on a A. ruthenus and hybrid of A. ruthenus and H. huso(48.3 and 48.9 ?m3 with a respective mean DNA content of 3.74 and 3.10 pg DNA.nucleus-1). Similar relationship was found for the ploidy 6n, 8n, 10n, 12n. The 0.46-1.58 pgDNA increments in DNA content of erythrocytes thus had no effect on their nuclear area/volume. With increasing ploidy level, the DNA concent ration (pgDNA per 1 ?m3 of erythrocyte nuclear volume) as well as surface-to-volume ratio was found not to increase linearly. Nuclear DNA content appeared to be more condensed with an increase of the ploidy level. Observed results deduce properties of whole cell and particularly of the nuclei in series of ploidy levels fishes, adding conformations of nucleotypic hypothesis in context of cell/nuclear size and genome size relationships, as well as taxonomic position of sturgeons.

Le développement des bactéries sporulées dans les aliments peut être responsable d’intoxication alimentaire ou d’altérations des produits. Trois leviers ont été identifiés pour prévenir le développement de ce microbiote : les conditions de sporulation, l’intensité du traitement appliqué pour inactiver les spores et les conditions d’incubation. Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif (i) de quantifier l’impact des conditions de sporulation, de traitement et d’incubation sur la capacité des spores à former des colonies, et (ii) de quantifier l’impact des conditions de sporulation, de traitement et d’incubation sur les cinétiques de germination et de reprise de croissance. Dans un premier temps, un modèle mathématique a été développé pour décrire et quantifier l’impact des conditions d’incubation sur la capacité des spores à former des colonies après un traitement thermique. Ce modèle intègre uniquement des paramètres physiologiques, les limites de croissance des souches étudiées. La germination et la reprise de croissance est un processus complexe au cours duquel les spores passent par plusieurs stades successifs : spores dormantes, spores germées et cellules végétatives. Afin de quantifier l’impact des conditions de sporulation, de traitement thermique et d’incubation sur chacun de ces stades, une méthode par cytométrie en flux a été développée. Elle a permis de suivre l’évolution de chaque stade au cours du temps et un modèle primaire a été proposé afin de décrire l’évolution de chacun de ces stades. A partir de ce modèle il a été possible de décrire l’impact des différentes conditions de sporulation, de traitement thermique et d’incubation sur cette évolution et un modèle secondaire a été développé pour quantifier l’impact de ces facteurs sur les cinétiques de germination et de reprise de croissance. Afin de corréler les différences de comportement avec la composition protéique des spores, une analyse protéomique a été réalisée sur des spores produites dans différentes conditions. Ces travaux permettent de mieux appréhender le comportement de germination et de reprise de croissance des spores bactériennes. De plus, les résultats apportés ainsi que les modèles mathématiques développés dans cette thèse pourront permettre de mieux contrôler le développement des bactéries sporulées en industrie agro-alimentaire, connaissant l’impact des conditions de stockage et de formulation des produits, comme la température et le pH, sur le comportement des spores. / The development of spore forming bacteria in foods can be responsible for food poisoning or food spoilage. Three levers allowing the development of this microbiota were identified: the conditions of sporulation, the conditions of heat treatment and the conditions of incubation. This PhD work objectives were (i) to quantify the impact of sporulation conditions, heat treatment intensity and recovery conditions of the ability of spores to form colonies, and (ii) to quantify the impact of sporulation conditions, heat treatment intensity and recovery conditions on germination and outgrowth kinetics. Firstly, a mathematical model was developed to describe and quantify the impact of recovery conditions on the spore ability to form colonies a heat treatment. This model integrated only physiological parameters, the growth limits. The germination and outgrowth is a complex process made of successive physiological stages the spores pass through: the dormant spores, the germinated spores and the vegetative cells. A flow cytometry method was developed in order to quantify the impact of sporulation conditions, the heat treatment intensity and the incubation conditions on each physiological stage. This method allowed monitoring the evolution of each stage over time and a primary model was proposed to describe these evolutions. Thanks to this model, the impact of sporulation conditions, the heat treatment intensity and the incubation conditions were quantified and a secondary model was developed to quantify the impact of these factors on germination and outgrowth kinetics. In order to correlate the differences of behavior with the proteome of spores, proteomic analysis were performed on spores produced in different conditions. This work allows a better comprehension of germination and outgrowth behavior. Moreover, the results and the mathematical models provided by this work can be applied in food industry to improve the control of spores forming bacteria development knowing the impact of storage conditions and the product formulation, like temperature and pH, on spore behavior.

Studying lymphocyte development using mass cytometry Abstract Development of mature lymphocytes, a white blood cell subtype, is crucial for the correct function of the human immune system. Currently, developmental pathways of lymphocytes can be studied using high-throughput single-cell measurements. In particular, mass cytometry enables the study of immunologically relevant pheno- typic and functional markers on a vast scale. In this work I present my individual contribution to tviblindi, a powerful software tool for analysis of cytometric data aimed at uncovering developmental trajectories. tviblindi is a package written in R, Python and C++. It provides a means to integrate prior knowledge with data analyses grounded in graph theory and algebraic topology. tviblindi is accessible to biological researchers without background in computer science or mathematics. It is an addition to the expanding field of trajectory inference in single-cell data. Furthermore, I review current knowledge of T-cell development and conduct a tviblindi analysis thereof using human thymus and peripheral blood datasets and evaluate the results. 1

This thesis focuses on autofluorescence of flavins in gram-negative bacteria Cupriavidus necator H16 and its mutant strain PHB-4. The main methods used were fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. To confirm the presence of flavins, excitation and emission spectra of the bacterial suspension were measured, which were compared with flavin standards. In the part of testing cells without stress response, the autofluorescence of bacteria in PBS buffer and cell suspensions stained with fluorescence probe BODIPY 493/503 was measured. The ratio of short fluorescence lifetime to long autofluorescence lifetime, and its dependence on fluorescence probe was compared with previous conditions. Autofluorescence of the supernatant was measured; it was found that the relative amplitude of long lifetime was multiple times higher than in the cell. In the part devoted to the stress response, this thesis was focused on the amount of dissolved oxygen in the production medium and the effect on bacterial autofluorescence. Then differently concentrated hydrogen peroxide was used, the best results were obtained from the concentration of 100 mM in media. For comparison a combination of hydrogen peroxide with ferro-ammonium sulphate was used, but there was no big difference. Sodium azide and antimycin A were selected as substances that directly influence on bacterial respiratory chain. Both compounds affected change in the ratio of the relative amplitudes, but the distribution of these lifetimes and the autofluorescence change over time was affected only by sodium azide.

This thesis focuses on fluorescent analysis of viability and PHA content in bacterial cultures, the main methods of investigation were flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. In order to determine viability of C. necator H16, several viability probes were tested, nevertheless, only BacLightTM kit and propidium iodide can be used to estimate portion of viable and live bacterial cell in samples. Further, Acridine orange was used to monitor physiological state of bacterial culture and two hydrophobic probes, Nile Red and BODIPY 493/503, were used to investigate PHA content in bacterial cells. Application of BODIPY 493/503 seems to be promising since this probe does not require permeabilization of bacteria cells and it can be used along with propidium iodide. Furthermore, several fluorophores were tested in the microscopic part. In was found that concentrations used in cytometric analyses were too high for microscopic use. Emission from the SYTO9 fluorophore is seen mainly in the green channel but because of the high concentration some emission was visible in the red channel. Cells stained with BODIPY 493/503 had very high fluorescence intensities when the stain concentration was 10 . At the same time, negative amplitudes of fluorescence were measured in both strains of C. necator, but in case of C. necator H16 that amplitude was much more pronounced. In this strain surprising high concentration of BODIPY stain was observed on the surface of PHB granules. Anisotropy of the fluorophore was nearing 0 which is very surprising.

The main drivers of microevolution in the genus Sorbus are interspecific hybridisation and polyploidy. The fate of new hybrid and polyploid taxa is determined by their mode of reproduction. Especially apomixis could be very advantageous for these new taxa. The S. aria agg. (subg. Aria) plays an important role within the genus since its members are involved in all hybridisation events and thereby is responsible for the substantial part of variation of the genus. Flow cytometry, molecular markers and multivariate morphological analyses were employed to evaluate the processes generating the variability in the S. aria group. Three ploidy levels were detected among species from subg. Aria in the Czech Republic. All of them could be found in the South Moravia, whereas only tetraploids occur in the Bohemia region. Moreover, most of the Czech taxa (5 out of 7) grow also only in the South Moravia which is therefore considered as a centre of diversity of the genus Sorbus in the Czech Republic. Flow cytometry seed screen revealed 7 modes of reproduction among the individuals from S. aria agg. A wide range of sexual and apomictic types of reproduction including reduced and unreduced gametes was detected. All of the diploid individuals are completely sexual. Among polyploid taxa, most of the species are...

Studying lymphocyte development using mass cytometry Abstract Development of mature lymphocytes, a white blood cell subtype, is crucial for the correct function of the human immune system. Currently, developmental pathways of lymphocytes can be studied using high-throughput single-cell measurements. In particular, mass cytometry enables the study of immunologically relevant pheno- typic and functional markers on a vast scale. In this work I present my individual contribution to tviblindi, a powerful software tool for analysis of cytometric data aimed at uncovering developmental trajectories. tviblindi is a package written in R, Python and C++. It provides a means to integrate prior knowledge with data analyses grounded in graph theory and algebraic topology. tviblindi is accessible to biological researchers without background in computer science or mathematics. It is an addition to the expanding field of trajectory inference in single-cell data. Furthermore, I review current knowledge of T-cell development and conduct a tviblindi analysis thereof using human thymus and peripheral blood datasets and evaluate the results. 1