University of Szeged
Experimental and Preventive Medicine Doctoral School
Head: Prof. Dr. Márta Széll, full professor
Deputy Head: Prof. Dr. Zoltán Rakonczay, full professor
Subprograms and their leaders
Regulation, measurement and analysis of life processes
Subprogram leader: Prof. Dr. Ferenc Bari, professor emeritus
Program description:
Participants in the training program gain insight into the complex regulatory mechanisms of life processes (neuronal and humoral). Our main areas of research are microcirculation, blood supply to the brain, and regulation of the respiratory system under physiological and pathological conditions. The investigations are carried out using commercially available and proprietary measurement systems, allowing students to become familiar with the challenges of assembling biological measurement systems and the design and implementation of multimodal imaging systems. The collection and processing of biological signals (noise filtering, feature extraction, stochastic signal analysis) is an important part of the program. In addition, the subprogram covers telemedicine-based physiological data collection, the theory and practice of telemedicine systems, and telemedicine-based data collection and processing.
Gastroenterology
Subprogram leader: Prof. Dr. László Czakó, full professor
Program description
The gastroenterology subprogram focuses on studying the diseases that pose the greatest public health burden, such as irritable bowel syndrome, reflux oesophagitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammatory bowel diseases, acute pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer. The basic research aims to investigate the etiology and pathomechanism of these diseases under in vitro and in vivo conditions, as a thorough understanding of disease development is essential for the evolution of effective therapeutic interventions. Clinical studies aim to diagnose these conditions in their early stages and to apply new therapies through observational and randomized trials. The most dynamically evolving field within gastroenterology is endoscopy. New imaging modalities and therapeutic interventions that can replace surgical procedures have emerged. Several research topics examine the clinical applicability of these new methods and compare them with the current “gold standard.” A key guiding principle is our approach based on translational medicine: the rapid implementation of basic and clinical research findings into everyday patient care.
Neuroscience
Subprogram leader: Prof. Dr. Gábor Jancsó, professor emeritus
Program description:
Modern industrial society is facing many health issues which are related to a variety of acute and chronic pathologies affecting the nervous system. Experimental and clinical studies conducted in the frame of the Neuroscience subprogram of the Experimental and Preventive Medicine Doctoral School are aimed at the investigation of the function of the nervous system under physiological and pathological conditions at systems, cellular and molecular levels. Research projects include studies on the visual system, neural degeneration and regeneration, cerebrovascular mechanisms, neuropsychiatric disorders and pain. The tutors and professors of the Neuroscience subprogram are internationally and nationally recognized scientists who offer high-quality professional courses dealing with various aspects of experimental and clinical neuroscience.
Neuroendocrinology
Subprogram leader: Dr. habil. Zsolt Bagosi, associate professor
Program description:
Neuroendocrinology is an interdisciplinary field that studies the functions of the nervous and endocrine systems under normal and pathological conditions. The nervous system produces protein-based substances called neuropeptides, which can enter the bloodstream and regulate the function of endocrine glands, thereby maintaining the body's internal balance. However, genetic and environmental factors can upset this balance, resulting in various diseases. For example, among the systems we study is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the central regulator of the stress response; excessive stress can lead to anxiety or depression, which are often associated with an imbalance of neuropeptides. The primary aim of our preclinical research is to discover the physiological and pharmacological effects of these neuropeptides, but our long-term goal is the clinical application of peptides or peptide fragments with therapeutic effects.
Medical Genetics and Genomics
Subprogram leader: Prof. Dr. Márta Széll, full professor
Program description:
The Medical Genetics and Genomic PhD subprogram welcomes freshly graduated physicians and biologists. The subprogram includes hypothesis-testing in genetics and hypothesis-generating genomics in the field of biomedical research. Our investigations aim to identify rare mutations and common polymorphisms in order to elucidate the mechanisms of rare and common diseases. The results of these investigations contribute to the establishment of genotype-phenotype correlations, population screening studies, diagnostic methods and provide solid basis for the development of novel, causative therapeutic modalities for the affected patients. Beside the laboratory work in our molecular laboratories, the PhD students will become active members of our scientific community, they will learn how to work in a multidisciplinary team, to write scientific papers, and to prepare for scientific conferences. They will also attend traditional PhD courses, journal clubs and seminars.
Medical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Immunity
Subprogram leader: Prof. Dr. Katalin Burián, full professor
Program description:
The projects of the doctoral school at the Department of Medical Microbiology include in vitro and in vivo research related to pathogenic viruses and bacteria. The pathomechanism of the obligate intracellular Chlamydia species is investigated in in vitro models examining the host response to the infection, and replication of chlamydiae in different organ-specific host cell types. Susceptibility of these bacteria to antimicrobial agents is also characterized. Animal models of Chlamydia infection are used for testing the influence of compounds that are incorporated in pharmaceutical products for humans on chlamydial infection.
Transport mechanisms providing drug resistance in bacteria and tumor cells and synthetic and bioactive compounds isolated from plants affecting drug resistance are investigated. Bioactive natural plant extracts are tested for antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Cytokines play important roles in innate and adaptive immune responses during the course of infections. It was revealed that certain cytokines activate phagocytes and thereby facilitate the killing and elimination of pathogens. Our goal is to identify the processes and mechanisms implicated in the intracellular survival of various bacteria and viruses.
Preventive Medicine
Subprogram leader: Prof. Dr. Edit Paulik, full professor
Program description:
The Preventive Medicine subprogram covers researches in the light of a multidisciplinary approach. The research focuses on the complexity of the determinants of the state of health to investigate the correlations between morbidity and mortality caused by diseases of public health importance and lifestyle, behavior, socio-economic environment, exposure to natural and artificial environments, healthcare, and the development of health technology. The most important method is epidemiology, but the tools of sociology, psychology, environmental epidemiology, nutrition science, as well as health economics are also used. The aim of the research is to make the results contribute to the prevention of the most challenging non-communicable diseases today, reducing the disease burden and mortality, and increasing the cost-effectiveness of healthcare.
