Petr Kotas

I am PhD student at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice under the supervision of Prof. Ing. Jan Tříska, CSc. I have long-term work experiences as student assistant and scientist at the Global Change Research Institute (UVGZ), Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia. I attended longer-term internship at the Department of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna, and shorter placements at the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Barcelona, Spain and at the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Denver, Colorado. My main interest during PhD studies was the application of phenotypical biomarkers (PLFA, sterols) in research of microbial ecology in various ecosystems. I studied the response of soil microbes to management practices in temperate grasslands and soil microbial properties along altitudinal gradients and its controlling factors in Svalbard. I have experience with mesocosm experiments and 13C labelling as well as compound specific isotopic ratio mass spectrometry. During my employment at UVGZ and Institude of Chemistry and Biochemistry, I get deeper insight into various chromatographic techniques (gas and liquid chromatography) as well as mass spectrometric applications (MS, MS/MS, MALDI-TOF). Nowadays, I´m deeply interested in the plant-microbe-soil interactions, more specifically in the quality and quantity of root exudation and its utilization by soil microorganisms.

Education and Academic Positions

• 2009 PhD in Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
• 2009 MSc in Hydrobiology and Soil Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
• 2007 BSc in Hydrobiology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Research Interests

Teaching Interests

• Instrumental methods of environmental monitoring Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice
• Analytical monitoring Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice
• Chemical and Biological Polutants in water and atmosphere Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice

Services

• Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and sterol analysis (determination of microbial community structure)
• Metabolomic profiling (plant tissues, root exudates)
• Derivatization techniques for GC-MS measurements
• Compound specific isotopic ratio mass spectrometry including data evaluation and interpretation

Scientific Activities

• C:N stoichiometry in plant-soil interactions: effects on plant metabolism and processes in the Rhizosphere, co-investigator
• Linking functional traits of three organism levels as driving mechanisms of ecosystem functions in the Arctic, co-investigator