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Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

 

Group Leader: András Szarka PhD DSc

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Adress: Hungary 1111, Budapest, Szent Gellért tér 4. 3rd floor 332.

Short introduction:

Our research group has been dealing with oxidative stress, antioxidants and oxidative stress-induced signaling pathways for more than 20 years. These processes play a role in the pathobiochemistry of many disorders and diseases, such as inflammatory processes, diabetic complications, aging, and antitumor therapies. Thus, we pay special attention to ferroptosis, a cell death that can solely be induced by oxidative stress.

The objects of our experimental work are immortal and primary cell lines, as well as animal, plant and human tissues. In addition, we also deal with stem cell-derived organoid construction.

Techniques used in our laboratory: maintenance of plant and animal cells (2D and 3D), preparation of cell fractions, preparation of submitochondrial particles, DNA and RNA isolation, PCR, RT-PCR, UPLC (DAD, Fluo, MS, UV-VIS), PAGE, western blot, transport measurements (rapid filtration), membrane potential and respiration measurements (respirometry and Seahorse), cell viability measurements, flow cytometry, immune assays, metabolite and enzyme determinations, ROS and antioxidant measurements.

 

Memebers: Lívius Wunderlich Phd, Veronika Deák PhD, Dóra Varga, Viktor Podhragyai, Bálint Kurucz 

 

Main research topics:

  1. Investigation of oxidative stress-induced diseases: chronic inflammation, diabetes complications. Investigation of oxidative stress-induced cell death processes (ferroptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, apoptosis) in the above diseases.
  2. Development of in vitro toxicological models, toxicological studies.
  3. Development and testing of potential (oxidative stress-based) antitumor agents. Inveestigation and testing of natural active ingredients.
  4. Investigation of the nutritional role of foods and food components with oxidant/antioxidant effects.
  5. Optimization of the maintenance of mAb-producing CHO cells, the quantity and quality of the proteins they produce, development of cell culture media and additives.
  6. Development of down-stream processes.

 

Selected publications:

  1. Varga D, Szentirmai A, Szarka A. Research for a Common Thread: Insights into the Mechanisms of Six Potential Anticancer Agents. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30051031
  2. Makk-Merczel K, Varga D, Hajdinák P, Szarka A. The interlacing anticancer effect of pharmacologic ascorbate, chloroquine, and resveratrol 10.1002/biof.2050
  3. Varga D, Hajdinák P, Makk-Merczel K, Szarka A. The Possible Connection of Two Dual Function Processes: The Relationship of Ferroptosis and the JNK Pathway 10.3390/ijms231911004
  4. Lőrincz T, Deák V, Makk-Merczel K, Varga D, Hajdinák P, Szarka A. The Performance of HepG2 and HepaRG Systems through the Glass of Acetaminophen-Induced Toxicity 10.3390/life11080856
  5. Szarka A, Kapuy O, Lőrincz T, Bánhegyi G. Vitamin C and Cell Death 10.1089/ars.2019.7897
  6. Hajdinák P, Czobor Á, Szarka A. The potential role of acrolein in plant ferroptosis-like cell death 10.1371/journal.pone.0227278
  7. Lőrincz T, Holczer M, Kapuy O, Szarka A. The Interrelationship of Pharmacologic Ascorbate Induced Cell Death and Ferroptosis 10.1007/s12253-018-0539-9
  8. Lőrincz T, Jemnitz K, Kardon T, Mandl J, Szarka A. Ferroptosis is Involved in Acetaminophen Induced Cell Death 10.1007/s12253-015-9946-3
  9. Mandl J, Szarka A, Bánhegyi G. Vitamin C: update on physiology and pharmacology. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00282.x.
  10. 10. Szarka A, Horemans N, Bánhegyi G, Asard H. Facilitated glucose and dehydroascorbate transport in plant mitochondria. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2004.05.011.

 

Key partners:

  • Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Batton Rouge, LA, USA
  • Semmelweis Egyetem Budapest
  • HUN-REN Természettudományi Kutatóközpont
  • Richter Gedeon Nyrt.
  • Nemzeti oltóanyaggyár ZRt.
  • SOLVO Biotechnology a Charles River company