Thesis supervisor: Zsolt Czimmerer
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Institute of Genetics Abbreviation of location of studies: SzBK
Description of the research topic:
As resident macrophages in the lung, the alveolar macrophages play an essential role in regulating surfactant homeostasis and removing various microorganisms and pollutants from the alveolar surfaces. Additionally, they participate in the development and progression of various chronic inflammatory diseases though their exact role is not fully known in all cases.
The molecular microenvironment and immune cell composition continuously change during allergic asthma development in the alveoli. However, the effect of these dynamic changes on the polarization and functional properties of alveolar macrophages is not fully understood.
Therefore, we aim to investigate the functional polarization of alveolar macrophages by combining transcriptomic, epigenomic, and immunological assays in a ragweed pollen extract-induced mouse model of allergic asthma. In the course of our work, we are looking for answers to the following questions:
- How does the transcriptional and epigenetic program of alveolar macrophages change during the development and progression of asthma?
- Which transcription factors play a role in regulating the gene expression changes in the alveolar macrophages?
- How do the identified transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms contribute to the development and progression of asthma?
Required language skills: English Further requirements: MSc (biologist, molecular biologist, biology teacher, veterinarian) / MD degree