Master’s Thesis projects
Our group provides several interesting topics for the degree MSc.
With increasing organism complexity more and more of the cell machinery becomes devoted to control mechanisms, failure of which is a major cause of human disease. The TSG focuses on aspects of cell signaling (mainly second messenger regulation of cell function by protein modifications) important for cell death and differentiation, and with relevance for cancer and endocrine/metabolic disturbances.
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News
A cyanobacterial lipopeptide selectively targets eukaryotic membranes
Researchers in TSG have, together with collaborators in Helsinki, identified a novel class of cyclic lipopeptides, named Anabaenolysin after the producing cyanobacterium, Anabaena. The lipopeptides have two glycines, two unusual amino acids, where one contains and a long unsaturated fatty acid chain. Their structures enable them to penetrate into membranes, but preferably membranes containing cholesterol.
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News
A novel inhibitor of liver drug transporters
Recently, researchers in TSG found that Ncp-M1 blocks the liver-specific transporter proteins OATP1B1/OATP1B3. These transporters are responsible for hepatocellular uptake of growth-stimulating steroids, several drugs, and toxins like microcystin, and are an important part of the detoxification machinery of the liver. Ncp-M1 is non-toxic to both liver cells and other cell types, and its mechanism of action seems to be limited to transporter inhibition.
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Research
Chemical modifications of toxins - Making a trojan horse for cancer cells
Several cyanobacterial peptides are potent toxins for cancer cells when they are injected into the cells. However, the toxins often lack the ability of being transported into cells spontaneously.
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Research
A novel cyanobacterial peptide inhibits cyanobacterial toxins
The liver is damaged by cyanobacterial toxins such as microcystin and nodularin. Interestingly, the same group of organisms seem to synthesize a cyclic peptide that can inhibit the action of these toxins on liver cells.
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Research
A role for platelet shape change in the efficiency of aspirin/dipyridamole treatment of stroke patients?
Stroke patients have particular high risk of thrombotic events caused by platelet (thrombocyte) activation, which may lead to new infarctions. Secondary treatment of these patients with anti-platelet therapy consisting of aspirin and dipyridamole is therefore a common protocol. Recent results on the mechanism of action of this treatment suggest that regulation of platelet shape change, the initial step in platelet activation, can play a role in efficiency of this protocol.
News
- A cyanobacterial lipopeptide selectively targets eukaryotic membranes (14.08.2012)
- A novel inhibitor of liver drug transporters (12.02.2011)
- A role for platelet shape change in the efficiency of aspirin/dipyridamole treatment of stroke patients? (27.10.2010)
- Epac induces differentiation of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells (24.11.2009)
- Shutting off cancer cell survival mechanisms in response to chemotherapy (27.04.2009)