set view

Homepage » Research Programmes » Brain and Mind Research » Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

aaPreskocit navigaci

Research Programmes

Do you know…

… the scientists in CEITEC will be researching what happens in the brain when a human has realized that they have made a mistake?
… there will be nearly 800 scientists in CEITEC?
… in CEITEC we will be researching how the brain works and why some people are motivated and others are not?
… thanks to CEITEC most of the diagnostic methods will be cheaper, faster and more comfortable for the patients?
… 63 research teams will be created in CEITEC?
… there will be 7 research programmes in CEITEC?
… there will be more than 1,000 modern instruments in CEITEC?
… more than 31,000 m2 of new infrastructure will be built in CEITEC?
… more than 1,500 students will use the CEITEC infrastructure per year?
… there will be 10 shared laboratories created in CEITEC?
… CEITEC has 6 partners?
… work will be carried out on self-cleaning surfaces in CEITEC?
… CEITEC will co-operate closely with the industrial sector?
… there will also be international scientists working in CEITEC?
… CEITEC will support the international mobility of scientists?
… the scientists in CEITEC are developing a subdermal chip which will analyse some life functions and will inform doctors from a distance?
… the scientists in CEITEC are working on the development of a device which will enable physiotherapy from a distance?
… the scientists at CEITEC are working on the development of biosensors?
… CEITEC will be created in the south-Moravian city of Brno?

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

Prof. RNDr. Petr Dubový, CSc.
Research Group Leader

THEMATIC RESEARCH FOCUS

RESEARCH AREAS

Molecular and cellular conditions responsible for both nerve regeneration and induction of neuropathic pain
Extracellular matrix function for nerve regeneration and correct navigation of regenerating axons; differences of endoneurial extracellular matrix composition alongside motor and sensory axons
Role of extracellular matrix molecules of the nervous system as a substrate for anchorage of neurotrophins, cytokines and other small signal molecules
Study of Schwann cell differences alongside motor and sensory axons
Development of experimental models to find alternative approaches for reconnection of the spinal cord neurons with targeted structures
Development of cellular nerve prosthesis
Research into pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines contributing to both nerve reparation and neuropathic pain
Neuroinflammatory propagation from nerve injury to other nervous system compartments by small molecules (cytokines, chemokines) and their receptors as a mechanism for reaction of nervous system to injury in form of preconditioning
Tests of new compounds to influence both conditions stimulating nerve reparation and neuropathic pain induction
Correlation of experimental models with findings in human diseases associated with neuropathic pain (such as diabetic neuropathy)
Research of chemical neuroanatomy of CB1 and CB2 receptors; study of distribution of CB1 and CB2 receptors in the nervous system of neuropathic pain models
Transfection of glial cells to follow their transdiff erentiation and cytokine synthesis
Reprogramming of astrocytes into neurons in order to ameliorate symptoms of Huntington’s disease

MAIN OBJECTIVES

Recognition of cellular and molecular mechanisms of selected nervous disorders.

CONTENT OF RESEARCH

Cellular and molecular neurobiology of nerve regeneration and neuropathic pain induction

The work package is focused on the investigation of cellular and molecular changes following various types of nerve injury models, mainly to balance the conditions for the regeneration process and neuropathic pain induction. The methods of cellular and molecular biology combined with in vivo and in vitro experimental models will be used to explore the machinery of extracellular matrix molecules and cytokines (chemokines) during both nerve regeneration and neuropathic pain induction. The endogenous cannabinoid system will be studied in neuropathic pain models by expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors. The experimental results will be used as the background for clinical improvement of the functional recovery of a damaged nervous system, the development of alternative or new approaches to reconnect the spinal cord neurons with the targeted structures as well as to treat neuropathic pain. Experimental models will also be correlated with findings in human diseases associated with neuropathic pain (such as diabetic neuropathy).

Neuronal precursors delivered to the sites of neurodegeneration are able to stop or slow progression of the neurodegenerative disease, e.g. Huntington’s disease (HD). A lack of transplantable neuronal precursors therefore represents a bottleneck for clinical use, cellular reprogramming becomes more interesting for various cell replacement therapies. By means of delivering specific neurogenic transcription, we will induce reprogramming of astrocytes in animal models of HD into neurons and we will test transdifferentiation efficiency cytologically as well as functional recovery of motor coordination functions.

KEY RESEARCH EQUIPMENT

PLANNED RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

Technology Units

Neuronal and molecular visualisation unit
In vitro culture unit

CURRENT RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

Laboratory for immunohistochemical detection of biological molecules under light and electron microscopy and its quantitative evaluation by image analysis system (Cryo-Cut Leica 1800, ultramicrotome Reichert-Jung, fluorescence microscope Leica DM LB with digital camera Leica DFC480, image analysis system NIS Elements).

MAIN PROJECTS

End-to-side anastomosis of peripheral nerve and evaluation of neurotrophic factors influence on efficacy of functional reinnervation (1A8252), Ministry of Health, 2004-2006, P. Dubovy, Masaryk University, P. Haninec, Charles University in Prague.
Spatio-temporal changes of cytokines in the dorsal root ganglia of experimental neuropathic pain models induced by unilateral nerve injury (GA309/07/0121), Czech Science Foundation, 2007-2009, P. Dubovy, Masaryk University, R. Jancalek, St. Anne´s University Hospital Brno.
Assessment of the success rate of end-to-side anastomosis of peripheral nerves in relation to the other neurotization techniques used in clinical practice, and the application of neurotrophins incorporated by plasmids in an experimental model (NS10496), Ministry of Health, 2009-2011, P. Haninec, Charles University in Prague, P. Dubovy, Masaryk University, P. Haninec, Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

DUBOVY, P., KLUSAKOVA, I., SVIZENSKA, I., BRAZDA, V. Spatio-temporal changes of immunofluorescence staining for SDF1 and its CXCR4 receptor in the dorsal root ganglia associated and non-associated with unilateral sciatic nerve injury as a model of neuropathic pain. Histochem Cell Biol. 2010, 133(3), p. 323-337.
AASEN, T., RAYA, A., BARRERO, M., J., PEKARIK, V., et al. Efficient and rapid generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from human keratinocytes. NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY. 2008, 26, p. 1276-1284.
DUBOVY, P., JANCALEK, R., KLUSAKOVA, I., SVIZENSKA, I., PEJCHALOVA, K. Intra- and Extraneuronal Changes of Immunofluorescence Staining for TNF-a and TNFR1 in the Dorsal Root Ganglia of Rat Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Models. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2006, 26(4), p. 365-378.
BOURIKAS, D., BAERISWYL, T., PEKARIK, V., et al. Sonic hedgehog guides commissural axons along the longitudinal axis of the spinal cord. NATURE NEUROSCIENCE. 2005, 8, p. 297-304.
PEKARIK, V., BOURIKAS, D., MIGLINO, N., et al. Screening for gene function in chicken embryo using RNAi and electroporation. NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY. 2003, 21, p. 93-96.

New working position: postdok – Buněčná a molekulární neurobiologie

http://www.ceitec.cz/volna-pozice-postdok-bunecna-a-molekularni-neurobiologie/

top sitemap