Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology (MITO)
Contents
- Research Interests
- Patient Care
- Location
- Our People
- Funding and Support
- Teaching and Education
- Publications
Research Interests
The newly established Molecular Immunology and Toxicology Department consists of an analytical, an enzymology and a cell biology laboratory. Our Our people are trained chemists, cell biologists, biochemists and clinical researchers working together on multidisciplinary projects. Our research interest represents a new stream of research at the National Institute of Oncology in Hungary.
The major focus of the team is the role of free radicals and reactive oxidants/reductants (commonly called as Reactive Oxygen Species ROS) in cancer. Although these highly reactive molecules are produced intentionally they can also react with healthy tissue and cause serious side effects. In addition, they play a major role in inflammation. We are focusing on the reactions of ROS that are generated i) during radio- or chemotherapy or ii) endogenously by immune cells (such as neutrophils). More specifically:
- We are trying to contribute to the understanding of the roles of different ROS in tumor- development, progression and suppression via studying their interactions with proteins and small biologically important molecules.
- We are using a proteomics approach to identify oxidative modifications on specific proteins.
- We are investigating the functions of neutrophil white blood cells, with emphasis on their oxidant production in relation with cancer.
- We are studying the molecular mechanisms of the functions of antioxidant proteins (such as peroxiredoxins) and small molecules (e.g. glutathione or ascorbate).
- We have a special interest in thiols, including the biological functions of the smallest possible thiol: hydrogen sulfide. In the framework of a Marie Curie grant from the European Union (FP7) we are investigating the roles of H2S in inflammation and redox signaling.
Patient Care
We are measuring the concentrations of methothrexate (a chemotherapeutic drug) in the blood plasma of cancer patients for pharmacokinetic purposes and to predict possible toxic side effects.
We are currently developing several different tumor markers as well as other biomarkers to predict the roles of oxidative stress in cancer. We are also trying to find better predictors for the toxic side effects of radio- and chemotherapy.
Location
MITO is located on the first floor of building VII. It consists of three different laboratories, which are located in rooms 110-113.
Our People
From left to right
Top row
- Anita Vasas PhD student (Room 110)
- Csilla Makácsné Polényi technician (Room 110)
- Barna Budai Ph.D. chemist (Room 112)
- Beatrix Kotlán Ph.D. biologist (Room 113)
- Péter Nagy Ph.D. Principal Investigator (HOD) (Room 110) CV »
- Judit Dobos Ph.D. biologist (Room 113)
- Attila Nagy technician (Room 110)
Bottom row
- Judit Árpádné Bódi administrator (Room 113)
- Judit Szűcs technician (Rooms 112, 113)
- Krisztina Ballagó technician (Rooms 112, 113)
- Zoltán Pálinkás Ph.D. chemist (Rooms 110, 113)
Funding and Support
- 2011-2015 FP7-People Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant, "Roles of Hydrogen Sulfide and its Metabolites in Neutrophil Function and Redox Signaling." Principal Investigator: Péter Nagy
- 2010-2012 Lottery Health Research Grant, "Hydrogen Sulfide in Acute Pancreatitis: A Novel Mediator of Inflammation" Co-Investigator: Péter Nagy
- 2010-2012 Harry J Lloyd Charitable Trust Melanoma Research Foundation Award Principal Investigator: Bea Kotlán
Teaching and Education
- Lectures:
- "Redox Chemistry in Biological Systems" Péter Nagy, Debrecen University
- PhD training
- "Roles of Hydrogen Sulfide and its Metabolites in Neutrophil Function and Redox Signaling." Via the Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Department at Debrecen University, PhD student: Anita Vasas, Supervisor: Péter Nagy