SZENT-GYÖRGYI STUDENTS FRANCISKA SZABÓ Szeged Scientists Academy, 1 st year University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, 1 st year E: franciska97@freemail.hu T: +36 30/251-0641 DATE OF BIRTH: 1997 SZENT-GYÖRGYI PUPIL: no SZENT-GYÖRGYI MENTOR: Dr. István Krizbai SPECIALTY: molecular neurobiology SECONDARY SCHOOL: Secondary School, Balatonalmádi NAME OF TEACHER: Dr. Anna Várkuti LANGUAGES: IMPORTANCE, AIMS AND POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF RESEARCH The topic of our research group is to describe the molecular biology of the function of the blood-brain barrier. Precisely, we examine the operation of it in case of different tumorous and inflammatory diseases. Although I have only started to do researches recently I can see that it is a very popular area of science which is in a quick and constant progress and development. The aim is to understand the funtion of the elements of the neurovascular unit and to map the differences between the various parts of the central nervous system including both the operation and the structure of the blood-brain barrier within physiological and pathological conditions. If we understand of these processes he doctors can have better understanding of neurological diseases and more effective treatments can be developed in the future. AIMS DURING HER CAREER My aim is to be successful both as a researcher and a practising doctor. I want to help the development of the science of medicine and the work with other doctors using my results. HONORS AND PRIZES – PUBLICATIONS – English/advanced Italian/intermediate 118
SZENT-GYÖRGYI STUDENTS MÁRTON SZENTIRMAI Szeged Scientists Academy, 4 th year University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, 4 th year E: marci0507ibo@gmail.com T: +36 70/628-0919 DATE OF BIRTH: 1993 SZENT-GYÖRGYI PUPIL: no SZENT-GYÖRGYI MENTOR: Dr. László Vécsei JUNIOR MENTOR: Dr. Dénes Zádori SPECIALTY: neurology SECONDARY SCHOOL: Radnóti Miklós Experimental Grammar School, Szeged NAME OF TEACHER: Sándor Bán LANGUAGES: English/advanced IMPORTANCE, AIMS AND POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF RESEARCH I perform my current researches at the Neurology Department of the University of Szeged. Our main focus is on the molecular pathology of different neurodegenerative disorders. We examine progression of symptoms causing central nervous system malfunctions in rat and mouse models and we search for possible therapeutic solutions. Currently, we are measuring the alterations of concetrations of molecules synthetised in the kynurenin pathway – especially the neuroprotective kynurenic acid - of the tryptophan metabolism in the brain in the azide model of rats which is a widely accepted model for Alzheimer’s disease. In a paralell study, we measure tocopherol (vitamin E) concentrations in serum and brain samples of mice applying high performance liquid cromatographic (HPLC) method. Our goal is to validate a roboust method which we can use with high confidence for our future measurements. Our results could help to understand more profoundly the progression of particular neurodegenerative disorders and the effect of some potentially therapeutic drugs. AIMS DURING HIS CAREER 1. Intense understanding of neurological disorders and investigate neurology. 2. Acquirement of different measurement methods during laboratory work and the generation of useful, publishable results in the field of neurology. PUBLICATIONS Veres, G., Fejes-Szabó, A., Zádori, D., Nagy-Grócz, G., László, AM., Bajtai, A., Mándity, I., Szentirmai, M., Bohár, Z., Laborc, K., Szatmári, I., Fülöp, F., Vécsei, L., Párdutz, Á. (20<strong>17</strong>) A comparative assessment of two kynurenic acid analogs in the formalin model of trigeminal activation: a behavioral, immunohistochemical and pharmacokinetic study. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 124: 99-112. Veres, G., Molnár, M., Zádori, D., Szentirmai, M., Szalárdy, L., Török, R., Fazekas, E., Ilisz, I., Vécsei, L., Klivényi, P. (2015) Central nervous system-specific alterations in the tryptophan metabolism in the 3-nitropropionic acid model of Huntington’s disease. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 132: 115-124. Fejes-Szabó, A., Bohár, Z., Vámos, E., Nagy-Grócz, G., Tar, L., Veres, G., Zádori, D., Szentirmai, M., Tajti, J., Szatmári, I., Fülöp, F., Toldi, J., Párdutz, Á., Vécsei, L. (2014) Pre-treatment with new kynurenic acid amide dose-dependently prevents the nitroglycerine-induced neuronal activation and sensitization in cervical part of trigemino-cervical complex. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 121: 725-38. 119