Thesis supervisor: Imola Wilhelm
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged Abbreviation of location of studies: SZBK
Description of the research topic:
Brain metastases of malignant tumors are life threatening pathologies with limited therapeutic options. Tumors giving CNS metastases with the highest frequencies are malignant melanoma, lung cancer and breast cancer (especially the triple negative subtype). Successful colonization of the CNS depends on the ability of tumor cells to migrate through the blood-brain barrier and to survive in the brain environment. In the present project, we will focus on signaling and proteolytic pathways, and intercellular communication routes, including soluble factors, exosomes and membrane nanotubes. Different molecular biology, biochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques will be applied to elucidate mechanisms of interaction of metastasizing cancer cells with brain resident cells. In vivo, advanced microscopy techniques (two-photon and superresolution microscopy) will be used to monitor the process of transmigration and metastatic colonization of the brain.
Required language skills: English Number of students who can be accepted: 2
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