Thesis supervisor: Valér Csernus
Location of studies (in Hungarian): PTE ÁOK Pécs, Szigeti u. 12. Abbreviation of location of studies: ÁOK
Description of the research topic:
Studies on the rhythmic biological processes and their practical utilization in the bio-medical field are a timely and relevant topic of the biological research. Among the various rhythmic biological processes of variable period length especially the one-day-long (circadian) rhythms are studied due to their profound impact on our everyday life. The goal of the course is: to introduce you to the rhythmic, first of all circadian biological processes describing their theoretical background, their cellular mechanism, as well as their practical utilization in the biological research and medical practice. The presentation of the features of the circadian biological rhythms will be based primarily on the experimental work carried out in our institute. Our experiments targeting the intracellular mechanism and the synchronizing processes of the circadian rhythmic events are carried out first of all on explanted avian pineal glands model. The pineal gland of the birds lives well also in vitro for over a week, and contains a fully functioning biological clock, which can be influenced, synchronized, also in vitro, by changing a number of physical (light, temperature, magnetic field) and biochemical (norepinephrine, VIP, etc.) environmental parameters. By extracellular analysis of melatonin, the hormone, produced by that endocrine gland, one can easily determine the momentary phase of the pineal biological oscillator without disturbing the life of the cells. Because of these, the explanted avian pineal is an excellent model for studies on the mechanism of the biological rhythms. Our experiments are carried out with a combination of various modern, state-of-the-art methods, such as in vitro bioassay (superfusion), nucleic acid (classic “molecular biology”) techniques (PCR, RT-PCR, blotting, gen silencing), histological methods (immunohistochemistry at light- and electron-microscopic level, in situ hybridization), microsurgery, behavior analysis and hormone determinations. To study the ontogeny of the biological rhythms, experiments on embryos are also carried out. In collaborations with clinicians, our studies are also supplemented with human observation, and examination of human tissues.
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2018-05-18
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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