15:00 – Prof. Dr. József Tőzsér (Vice Rector of Sectoral Development Responsible for Life Sciences) – Short introduction of the University of Debrecen (Hungary)
15:20 – Prof. Dr. László Mátyus (Dean, Faculty of Medicine) – Research Focus of the Faculty of Medicine
Medical education has a long tradition in Debrecen, it started on October 23, 1918. Today besides medicine, the Faculty teaches molecular biologists, health psychologist and medical diagnostic analysts. Medicine and molecular biology courses are available for foreign students as well in separate course where the medium of instruction is English. Around 4000 students are enrolled currently in these courses.
Research and education is carried out in 22 departments of basic sciences and in 25 clinical departments, by more than 500 faculty members. Research is also organized by doctoral schools. The Faculty hosts several research groups financed by the Hungarian Research Network. Around ten Core Facilities support our research activities.
A brief introduction about the main research foci of the Faculty of Medicine will be presented.
15:40 – Dr. Péter Szücs (Director, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology) – Normal and pathological nociceptive processing in the spinal dorsal horn.
The talk will summarize the main research lines of the “Spinal nociceptive processing” workgroup of the Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology (UD).
From anatomical techniques that help describing wiring to electrophysiological and optogenetic approaches used to resolve function, the talk will showcase the facilities and methods utilized by researchers of the department. Recent findings on spinal dorsal horn neuron morphology, interneuronal networks, diabetic neuropathy and neuroinflammation will be presented.
16:00 – Dr. Zoltán Mészár (Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology) – Molecular dissection of spinal dorsal horn neurons involved in nociception; from neurodevelopment to neuromodulation
The dorsal horn of the spinal cord serves as the initial relay station for sensory information, particularly pain perception. As a crucial target for pain relief and modulation, it contains a spinal pain processing network composed of morphologically, functionally, and neurochemically diverse neurons. Our research focuses on this area and the ascending spinal circuits, examining their development, potential intervention points, and network modifications using transgenic mouse models. Neurons in the dorsal horn are born during a specific interval, followed by their migration to form the laminae of Rexed, which exhibit distinct morphological characteristics specific to each neuron type. Despite their functional and morphological diversity, these neurons originate from a single progenitor pool. Our studies indicate that extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules play a significant role in this structural transformation. Functionally, even though the neurons are heterogeneous, they respond differently to various types of stimuli. We discovered that dynorphin-expressing neurons significantly contribute to the transmission of pain resulting from burn injuries. By manipulating these cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we found that the heat-induced pain threshold in mice changes significantly. Recent RNAseq studies suggest that Wnt signaling may significantly contribute to the chronicization of heat-induced pain.
16:20 Prof. Dr. József Tőzsér (Vice Rector of Sectoral Development Responsible for Life Sciences) – Common features and differences of retroviral and SARS-CoV proteases
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses include the human pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 that has been responsible for a global pandemic since its emergence in 2019. Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) that belongs to the lentivirus genus of Retroviridae family is continuously infecting humans since the 1980s. Both type of viruses are using RNA genomes that confer high mutational capacities that lead to rapid evolution of the viruses, as well as quick emergence of resistance to any drugs developed against the viral proteins. Both viruses utilize viral proteases to process the viral polyproteins, and these enzymes – especially the HIV-1 protease and the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) – have been successfully targeted by rationally designed drugs, as the polyprotein processing is an essential step of viral replication in both cases. The first HIV protease inhibitor (saquinavir) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995, followed later by the release of eight additional therapeutic protease inhibitors. In 2022, the first protease inhibitor that was fully approved for the treatment of COVID-19 patients was Paxlovid. This drug contains the HIV-1 protease inhibitor ritonavir as a pharmacokinetic enhancer, while the main component is nirmatrelvir; which is a reversible covalent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Although HIV-1 protease and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro are using completely different catalytic mechanisms, and have distinct structural characteristics, the protease functions, their self-processing route, as well as resistance development show striking similarities. It is known from the almost 40-year history of the antiretroviral therapies that viruses can escape the selective drug-induced pressure by developing resistance mutations. Only a few SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors have been approved to date, mostly under emergency conditional authorization, therefore, the monotherapeutic settings might potentially increase the risk for resistance development. Therefore, the knowledge on HIV-1 and other retroviral proteases can substantially help the fight against SARS coronaviruses.
Project no. TKP2021-EGA-20 has been implemented with the support provided by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the TKP2021-EGA funding scheme. Supported by the University of Debrecen (UD) Program for Scientific Publication, by the UD Faculty of Medicine Research Fund (Bridging fund), and by UD Scientific Research Bridging Fund (DETKA) and by NKFIH Advanced 150532 Grant. János A. Mótyán is a receiver of János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (BO/00110/23/5), while Gyula Hoffka is supported by the University Research Fellowships program (EKÖP-24-4-I-DE-435).
16:40 Orsolya Gregán (Director, Centre for International R&D Relations) – Financial Opportunities for Cooperation between the University of Oxford and the University of Debrecen
This presentation explores the available financial opportunities for fostering collaboration between the University of Oxford and the University of Debrecen. Given the current restrictions on Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe funding for both institutions, alternative sources must be considered. Potential funds, including national and bilateral research grants such as the HU-RIZONT Programme and mobility support of the Pannónia Program will be higlighted. Additionally, opportunities from private foundations, industry partnerships, and internal university funding will be discussed. By leveraging these resources, both institutions can establish sustainable research collaborations, support mobility programs, and enhance academic exchange. The session will provide insights into navigating funding challenges and identifying strategic opportunities for long-term cooperation.
