Can you tell us something about you background? How did you first get involved with LAM-X? 

I studied cellular and developmental biology at the Faculty of Science at Charles University, but I was always interested in science in a broader context. Even during my studies, it was difficult for me to choose just one area to specialize in—I was fascinated not only by biology but also chemistry and generally finding connections across disciplines. I hoped to one day find a job where I could combine these interests. 

I joined LAM-X approximately 4.5 years ago, still during my PhD studies, shortly after returning from a research stay abroad. The position reflected many of the themes I was exploring in my dissertation, and the company’s applied approach to research really resonated with me. It felt like the right step beyond academia—where science moves closer to real-world impact and environment where results are truly pushed toward application. 

What is your current role, and what are you currently working on? 

At LAM-X, I work as the Head of Research and Development. This role involves a bit of everything—from hands-on lab work like microbial testing or the development and production of new materials, to team coordination, experiment planning, report writing, and overall lab operations. We work on diverse projects in healthcare, filtration, and agriculture, and I usually contribute to all of them to some extent. For example, yesterday I was testing the antimicrobial effectiveness of one of our newest materials for water filtration, and next week I’ll be focusing on optimizing fiber spinning for a prototype intended for medical use. 

Which moments or milestones from the early days stand out the most in your memory? 

One of the moments I remember most clearly from the early days at LAM-X was filing our first patent application. For any company that builds on its own technology, it’s a big step—it means not only protecting the results but also moving from a research idea toward a real product. I saw it then as an important milestone and confirmation that what we were working on had real potential. 

How would you describe LAM-X? 

LAM-X is a company full of enthusiastic people who enjoy constantly inventing, moving things forward, and seeking new paths. I feel like no one here sees it as just a regular job—because we enjoy what we do and it makes sense to us, there’s a great atmosphere, and I genuinely look forward to coming to work. 

In your view, how has LAM-X changed—such as the shift from medtech to water filtration or agrotextiles? Was the transition from fighting hospital infections to developing nanofibers for water filtration difficult? 

LAM-X initially focused mainly on developing medical products—like wound dressings. But our technology is highly versatile, and the antimicrobial effect of our membranes has potential wherever there’s a need to limit microbial growth. So it made sense to try applying it in other areas like water or air filtration, or agrotextiles. 

Each transition to a new application, of course, requires certain adjustments—modifying the material’s parameters to meet the specific demands of that field. That can be both time-consuming and technically challenging. But I believe we have a very flexible and capable team that can quickly grasp a new market’s needs and adapt accordingly. Thanks to that, we can effectively move across different sectors. 

Where do you see the biggest benefits of antimicrobial nanofibers in healthcare/water filtration? 

The greatest advantage of our antimicrobial nanofibers is that they kill microorganisms using a mechanism based on the production of singlet oxygen—a reactive form of oxygen generated upon exposure to light. We’re using something that naturally occurs in the atmosphere, avoiding antibiotics or other chemicals to which microbes can develop resistance over time. That makes our technology potentially gentle, effective, and sustainably viable—whether in healthcare or, for example, water filtration. 

How do you think LAM-X’s mission can impact the real world? 

The fact that our technology doesn’t use antibiotics is, in my opinion, its greatest strength—it doesn’t contribute to the rise of antibiotic resistance, which is one of the most pressing global issues today. 

I believe technologies like ours can be an important part of the solution. I truly hope our products—especially those intended for healthcare—will one day reach patients and genuinely help them. 

What advice would you give to scientists thinking about joining or starting a startup? 

From my own experience, I can wholeheartedly recommend working in a startup. It’s amazing to know that what I’m working on could soon truly help someone or make their life easier. And the chance to see results directly and be part of moving things forward is something that really motivates and excites me. 

Looking back, what are you most proud of in your journey at LAM-X? 

I’m not proud of any specific personal achievement, because we’ve always worked as a team at LAM-X. So I’m proud of our shared successes. The greatest joy I felt was when, thanks to our work, we were able to rent our own space where we can produce nanofibers anytime we want. That significantly expanded our possibilities for developing new materials and took us to the next level.