Main scope of my work is the root structure and impacts of environmental factors on it, as well as structural aspects of metal uptake and (hyper)-accumulation. The focus is on root apoplastic barriers and their relation with metal uptake using fluorescence microscopy (widefield epi-fluorescence), brightfield microscopy (conventional/digital, up-right/inverted), confocal microscopy (LSCM), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, EDAX) as well as image processing and analysis (LIM, Lucia, ImageJ, WinRhizo).

My work at Institute of Chemistry is dedicated to microstructural aspects of plant development and the effect of galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides (biologically active substances derived from plant cell walls) on growth processes and defense reactions against Cd toxicity.

Zelko, I., Sterckeman T., Martinka M., Kollárová K., Lišková, D., 2012. An easy method for cutting and fluorescent staining of thin roots. Annals of Botany, accepted

Kollárová, K., Zelko, I., Henselová, M., Capek, P., Lišková, D., 2012. Growth and anatomical parameters of adventitious roots formed on mung bean hypocotyls are correalted with galactoglucomannan oligosaccarides structure. Scientific World Journal, accepted

Zemková, Z., Garajová, S., Flodrová, D., Řehulka, P., Zelko, I., Vadkertiová, R., Farkaš, V., Stratilová, E., 2012. Incorporation of β- 1,6 linked glucooligosaccharides (pustulooligosaccharides) into plant cell wall structures. Chemical Papers, accepted

Vatehová, Z., Kollárová, K., Zelko, I., Richterová, D., Bujdoš, M., Lišková D. 2012. Interaction of silicon and cadmium in Brassica juncea and Brassica napus. Biologia, accepted

Redjala, T., Zelko, I., Sterckeman, T., Legué, V., Lux, A., 2011. Relationship between root structure and root cadmium uptake in maize. Environmental Experimental Botany, 71: 241-248.

Zelko, I., Lux, A. and Czibula, K., 2008. Difference in the root structure of hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens and non-hyperaccumulator Thlaspi arvense, International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 33: 123 - 132.

Broadley, M. R., White, P. J., Hammond, J. P., Zelko, I., Lux, A., 2007. Zinc in plants. New Phytologist, 173: 677-702.

Zelko, I., Lux, A., 2004. Effect of cadmium on Karwinskia humboldtiana roots. Biologia, 59: 205-209.

2010- present
Researcher at the Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dept. Glycobiotechnology, Laboratory of Plant Biology and Glycobiotechnology
2009-2010
Post doc at Laboratory of Soil and Environmental Sciences, INPL (ENSAIA), Nancy, France
2009- PhD. In plant physiology
2005-2009
Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dept. Glycobiotechnology, Laboratory of Cultivation in vitro
2008-Awarded grant from COST Action 859 "Short Time Scientific Mission" - for 3 months research project at Laboratory of Soil and Environmental Sciences, INPL (ENSAIA), Nancy, France
2002-2005
PhD. study, Comenius University in Bratislava
1997-2002
MSc. in Biology, Comenius University in Bratislava