Thesis supervisor: Mária Anna Deli
co-supervisor: Fruzsina Walter
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Biological Research Centre, H-6726, Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62. Abbreviation of location of studies: SZBK
Description of the research topic:
Tissue-specific components, function, and damage of the endothelial surface glycocalyx (ESG) in peripheral blood vessels have been studied in detail in the past 15 years. Still, in-depth research about the ESG of brain endothelial cells, forming blood-brain barrier (BBB), has only started recently. This highly negatively charged sugar-protein coat, consisting of proteoglycans, glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and sialic acid residues contributes to the unique defense system of the BBB. The ESG also serves as a mechanosensor, which detects blood flow-induced shear stress and modulates signaling pathways, gene expression, endothelial function and morphology. Specific studies and culture models to investigate the CNS and BBB-specific aspects of endothelial glycocalyx in health and its protection in diseases are completely missing. To advance the field our goal is to compare and characterize complex in vitro biological barrier models using human stem cell-derived endothelial cells in mono- and co-cultures. The current project plan is unique and innovative due to our approaches in studying the ESG: (i) we plan to use a cutting edge lab-on-a-chip device providing fluid flow and shear stress necessary for glycocalyx investigations to compare the in vitro models; (ii) since no specific protective molecules are known to rescue brain endothelial glycocalyx damage in diseases we will test and compare known BBB protective molecules in human cell based pathological models.
Required language skills: English Further requirements: Biology or related field MSc degree
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2021-09-01
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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