SzSA YearBook 2016/17

SZENT-GYÖRGYI STUDENTS
GERGŐ PORKOLÁB
Szeged Scientists Academy, 1 st year
University of Szeged,
Faculty of Science and Informatics, 2 nd year
E: porkolab.gergo96@gmail.com
T: +36 30/230-4097
DATE OF BIRTH:
1996
SZENT-GYÖRGYI PUPIL:
no
SZENT-GYÖRGYI MEN-
TOR):
Dr. Mária Deli
JUNIOR MENTOR:
Dr. Szilvia Veszelka
SPECIALTY:
cell biology, pharmacology
SECONDARY SCHOOL:
Tömörkény István Secondary
School
NAME OF TEACHER:
Ildikó Vadászné Horváth
LANGUAGES:
English/advanced
IMPORTANCE, AIMS AND POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF RESEARCH
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic interface between the central nervous
system (CNS) and the blood circulation. The main role of the BBB is to provide the
most adequate environment for the CNS, to protect it from harmful substances
and pathogens, and provide nutrients. This high selectivity of the BBB is a „mixed
blessing”, however – it also prevents the majority of pharmaceutical drugs
to enter the CNS, thus making it a challenge to treat diseases like brain tumours,
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy. In many cases, potential
neuropharmaceuticals are available, but the problem is they cannot reach their
target because of the BBB.
The Biological Barriers Research Group of the BRC, Hungarian Academy of Sciences,
which I had the opportunity to join, focuses on this problem. Drugs to be
delivered to the CNS are loaded in nanovesicles. The surface of these nanovesicles
are labelled with targeting molecules recognised by the transport proteins of
brain capillary endothelial cells, thus helping the drug cargo to cross the BBB. As
part of the team, I participate in the preparation, characterization and testing of
these nanovesicles on cell culture-based models of the BBB. The long-term goal
of our research group is to develop a nanovesicle system to effectively deliver
neuropharmaceuticals into the CNS.
AIMS DURING HIS CAREER
As a Szent-Györgyi Student my goal is to acquire the knowledge, skills, methods
and experience necessary to conduct independent research work. My further
aim is to carry on biomedical research with my own topic as a PhD student. As a
scientific researcher I would like to find solutions for relevant problems of society,
and achieve results to make peoples’ lives better.
HONORS AND PRIZES
• Kazinczy-medal, 2015
PUBLICATIONS
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116