Zuzana Loncova, PhD

I am a postdoctoral researcher focusing on computational methods in spatial biology and bioinformatics. Currently, I am dedicated to studying the enteric nervous system and its associated pathologies at the Institute of Neuropathology and Neuromolecular Pathology at the Medical University of Innsbruck. My work integrates the fields of image processing, bioinformatics, and spatial biology, with a particular emphasis on analyzing high-dimensional biological data.

Throughout my career, I have developed a strong expertise in bioinformatics pipeline development, spatial transcriptomics, and the analysis of biomedical imaging data. I am particularly interested in applying computational techniques to investigate complex tissue structures and the molecular mechanisms underlying disease. In my previous work at the laboratory of Univ.-Prof. Zlatko Trajanoski, I focused on developing methods for the spatial analysis of biological systems, an experience I now extend to understanding the structural and functional aspects of the enteric nervous system in both health and disease.

A key component of my research is the development and application of novel bioinformatic approaches for analyzing spatially resolved biological data, including transcriptomics and proteomics. I utilize cutting-edge technologies such as 10x Xenium, 10x Visium, Vectra, and CyTOF imaging to gain deeper insights into the underlying disease mechanisms. Additionally, I apply machine learning methods, including deep learning algorithms, to analyze complex datasets from H&E-stained tissue sections. These methods enable me to study cellular interactions, tissue structures, and pathological changes at the single-cell level.

Currently, my research focuses on the enteric nervous system—a critical component of the gut-brain axis. My goal is to better understand how disturbances in this system contribute to diseases such as small fiber neuropathy following viral infections, a common post-viral condition. In the long term, I aim to expand my research on the enteric nervous system into additional disease models and to develop new computational methods that enhance the resolution and accuracy of spatial biological data. By doing so, I hope to contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, thus advancing more precise and personalized medicine.