We cordially invite you to the Ph.D. Seminar, which will be held on September 27, 2024 at 10.30 in the Konorski room (2^nd floor). There will be 2 presentations:

1. MSc. Julia Masternak
2. MSc. Wiktoria Mrozek

Information regarding speakers together with abstracts can be found below.

MSc. Julia Masternak
Laboratory of Cell Biophysics
Proposed supervisor: Dr Monika Bijata, PhD., DSc.

Title: The place does matter – differences in neuronal plasticity in hippocampal subregions

Abstract:

Feeling sadness, irritation, emptiness, loss of interest and happiness, low self-esteem and chronic fatigue are not very always noticed, but these are the symptoms of depression (MDD). The World Health Organization estimates that 5% of adults all over the world suffer from MDD.

The main studies related to this issue are based on understanding of the molecular mechanisms that lead to this disorder. Among multiple serotonin receptors involved in MDD, serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) has recently raised considerable interest.

During this study it has been found that even short-term activation of 5-HT7R leads to depressive-like behavior in mice. Morphometric analysis of dendritic spines has shown that stimulation of the 5-HT7 receptor leads to an elongation of dendritic spines in CA1, while in DG subregion the spines maturation was observed. Using a combination of biochemical and biophysical methods, I have conducted a detailed investigation into the mechanisms underlying CA1- and DG-specific differences in structural plasticity upon 5-HT7R modulation. I examined the 5-HT7R-mediated activation profiles of key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton, Cdc42/RhoA, in hippocampal subregions, as well as the activity pattern of matrix metalloproteinase 9, a crucial protein involved in dendritic spine remodeling.

MSc. Wiktoria Mrozek
Laboratory of Spatial Memory
Proposed supervisor: Dr. Adam Hamed, PhD., DSc.
Proposed auxiliary supervisor: Dr. Miron Kursa

Title: Examination of the role of serotonergic-glutamatergic co-transmission in the affective state modulation in response to drug-paired context

Abstract

We encode space by constantly forming associations between places and emotional experiences. In pathological conditions such as drug addiction, spatial cues related to the context of the addictive substance administration may lead to a devastating continuation of pathological behaviors, known as incubation of craving.

My research aimed to examine the role of serotonergic and glutamatergic co-transmission in the amygdala as a modulator of drug-anticipatory and craving behavior. Drug-paired context responses were measured by ultrasonic vocalization (USV) emission and distance traveled. I investigated the influence of selective chemogenetic manipulations on the behavioral and neurochemical aspects of spatial context response. The decomposition via chemogenetic modifications of serotonergic-glutamatergic co-transmission in the amygdala inhibits contextual response (anticipatory and craving behavior), as demonstrated by a reduced number of appetitive 50-kHz USVs and locomotor activity. The effects of chemogenetic modifications on several neurotransmitter concentrations are non-linear but consistent between brain structures. Machine learning methodology extracted the main patterns of neurochemical changes and illustrated which neurotransmitters and structures were essential in drug carving and anticipatory behavior.