The courses offered within the MGSF specialization help students interested in molecular genetics and cell and developmental biology to build a strong theoretical and practical foundation.

Recommended main topics within the specialization:

Genetics and Population Genetics: Presents the frontiers of contemporary genetic research at a depth well beyond the BSc Genetics introductory course. Topics covered include, for example, epigenetics, understanding genomic programs at the nucleotide level (ENCODE project), the genetic determinants of tissue regeneration, the regulation of the aging process and lifespan, gene regulation by RNA molecules, transgenesis in mammalian systems, and combinatorial gene regulation.

Molecular Cell Biology: According to current knowledge, life on Earth is organized at the cellular level and exists as prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. While prokaryotes have developed an extraordinarily diverse and rich metabolism, eukaryotes — together with certain prokaryotes — form an even more varied and complex morphological and functional organization, constituting a vibrant biosphere. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells represent the fundamental functional unit of matter in its most complex known form. A deeper, molecular-level understanding of the highly complex eukaryotic cells that also compose us is essential not only for basic research but also for shaping our students’ scientific outlook. Within this subject, the basic cellular phenomena are made comprehensible, and situations in which the cooperation of non-living molecules gives rise to life are examined. This subject is indispensable for understanding higher-order developmental processes. Moreover, as described by the German physician Rudolf Virchow in his 1858 work Cellular Pathology, many diseases can be traced to disturbances of cellular function; thus, by understanding normal cell function and then analyzing pathological changes, basic research acquires biomedical relevance. This is essential for graduates of our programme to succeed at medical-biological research institutions.

Developmental Genetics: Individual development is governed by complex gene networks whose understanding and description have long fascinated researchers. In studying these genes, the early “forward” genetic methods that relied on chemical mutagens have been complemented by “reverse” genetic approaches that employ a vast repertoire of next-generation gene silencing and genome-editing techniques. Students learn the logic of developmental genetics by performing a genetic mutant screen and acquire skills in examining gene expression in embryos and in carrying out pharmacological testing through the study of development in living animals.

Immunocytochemistry: How can we locate a protein in the cell? How can we determine its precise intracellular position? Methods include immunohistochemical staining of fixed cell cultures with a two-step procedure using fluorescent labelled secondary antibodies. Methods for preparing samples for electron microscopic immunohistochemistry are covered, from fixation through storage of ultrathin sections to immunocytochemical staining.

Molecular Genetics Practicals: The broad methodological repertoire of molecular genetics enables the determination of the roles of arbitrary genes and the understanding of their regulation. We examine the consequences for a given gene when its function is inhibited, or when it is activated in places or at times where it is not normally expressed. During practical sessions, students carry out experiments that teach how to assay gene expression, which molecular techniques are required for successful gene silencing, and how to evaluate the consequences of such interventions at the cellular or organismal level.

Cell and Histological Research Methods: How can we observe the activity of a given gene in a Drosophila larva? Use of reporter genes in Drosophila lines. How can we demonstrate the interaction of two proteins? The theoretical basis, applicability, and material requirements of the yeast two-hybrid system. Staining and examination of cell organelles using vital, non-fluorescent dyes.

Within the specialization, there is an opportunity for further specialization: interested students may acquire more profound knowledge in gene regulation, molecular evolution, RNA interference, molecular cell biology, and bioinformatics.

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The research interests of the instructors and research staff of the specialization span a wide range of topics: gene regulation and RNA interference; mechanisms of recombination; autophagy; characterization of molecules that regulate endocytosis and crinophagy; studies on the role of autophagy in aging and stem cell biology; and population-genetic investigations. Students joining research projects can become familiar with many model organisms: besides the fruit fly, nematode, and zebrafish models, they can also work with cell lines, and, through external collaborators, learn the most modern plant-genetic methods. The research programme also includes studies on the coordinated regulation of stress-response processes, the elucidation of mechanisms of sex determination in C. elegans, and the identification of target genes of Hox genes (the master regulators of development).

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Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology

• Tamás Csizmadia, historically, following departmental traditions, worked on cellular self-digestion (autophagy), focusing on a specific, often misunderstood, and therefore neglected process called crinophagy. In this work, secretory granules, which are rendered superfluous in secretory gland cells, are degraded by fusion with lysosomes. He used Drosophila larval and early pupal salivary glands, genetic tools available in Drosophila, and light- and electron-microscopy techniques. His interests have since taken a 180° turn: he now sets aside vesicular transport and autophagy processes. He is instead intrigued by biophysics (cryptochrome protein function, radical pair mechanisms) and synthetic biology (photosynthesis in animal cells) — currently still at a theoretical stage.
• Gábor Juhász’s main research area is autophagy and other lysosome-associated degradative pathways. His research group conducts detailed investigations into the mechanisms and regulation of these processes using molecular-genetic, cell-biological, and biochemical methods in Drosophila and human cancer cells.
• Péter Lőrincz investigates the fusion of transport vesicles and lysosomes involved in endocytosis and autophagy in Drosophila secretory (Garland) cells and fat cells. His work combines modern immunohistochemistry with light- and electron-microscopy techniques.
• Péter Löw focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms and genetic regulation of degradative processes of secretory granules (so-called crinophagy) occurring in gland cells. He uses the Drosophila salivary gland as a model and combines modern histochemical and microscopic methods.
• Szabolcs Takáts studies the metabolic and signaling processes required for tumor growth and their interrelationships at the cellular and tissue levels. He conducts his research in a genetically inducible Drosophila tumor model, applying modern molecular-genetic and light- and electron-microscopy techniques.
• Zsófia Simon-Vecsei works on the recombinant production and purification of proteins involved in autophagy using affinity chromatography. Her research aims to map the interactions between these proteins and their putative partner molecules (Pull-down, FP, SPR) and to determine their biochemical structure.

Department of Genetics

• Eszter Ari investigates evolutionary processes using genomic and bioinformatic approaches. In collaboration with researchers at the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, she studies the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and strategies to halt their dissemination. Under her supervision, more R packages have been developed for functional enrichment analysis and post-processing of phylogenetic trees. Her group created and continues to expand the popular transcription factor–target gene database, the TFLink.
• Balázs Egyed examines SNP and microsatellite polymorphisms of native mammal species (e.g., dogs, deer) in recent populations from forensic and population genetic perspectives. He also analyzes mitochondrial genome variability for human/animal and environmental DNA sample analyses. His research group develops molecular methods for the genetic identification of minimal and degraded non-human biological traces.
• Bernadette Hotzi focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of aging using the Caenorhabditis elegans model. Currently, she mainly studies proteins that regulate methylation levels, with particular attention to their roles in aging, as well as their effects on development and stress responses.
• Tibor Kovács conducts aging and neurodegeneration research using the Drosophila melanogaster model. His main research area is studying the role of autophagy in neuronal senescence. Together with his research group, he searches for novel regulatory mechanisms to restore the declining effectiveness of acidic degradation throughout the lifespan. Promising results are also tested on human cells in collaboration with partners, and the group aims to develop small-molecule drug candidates. Other interests include regeneration and the relationships between mitochondrial morphology changes and activity.
• Máté Varga models various monogenic human diseases (e.g., Dyskeratosis Congenita, Bloom syndrome, Pseudoxanthoma elasticum) using zebrafish (Danio rerio). This work is performed in collaboration with researchers at Semmelweis University, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, and the ELTE Biochemistry Department. Dr. Varga is particularly interested in certain RNA-targeting epitranscriptomic modifications and their roles in development and disease. In parallel with these works, his group also researches the evolutionary developmental biology and behavioral genetics of the Chinese paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis).
• Tímea Sigmond studies changes in autophagy during development and aging in the Caenorhabditis elegans model system and its contribution to lifespan. She also analyzes the effects of environmental stressors and aims to map regulatory pathways that link stress responses to healthy aging. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of the biological basis of aging in the long term.
• Tibor Vellai’s primary research focus is elucidating mechanisms of the aging process, understanding the developmental functions of autophagy and its role in tissue regeneration, and studying its central regulatory role in brain aging. This includes characterizing myotubularin-type phosphatases that regulate autophagy, identifying autophagy-inducing small molecules (drug candidates), and testing them in neurodegenerative disease models.

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Many of our students remain in academic research and continue their studies in doctoral programmes at domestic and foreign universities and research institutes. The knowledge obtained in the specialization is readily applicable to gene diagnostics, forensic genetics, pharmaceuticals, and stem cell research. Our graduates often find employment with the Hungarian subsidiaries of large biotechnology companies (e.g., Richter, Teva, Tata).

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