1. Neurochemistry Group
We study physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology of cholinergic neurons at the molecular level and molecular pharmacology of other GPCRs. In our study, we mainly employ cell lines but we also use animal models. Our research is focused mainly on these topics:
- biochemical physiology and pharmacology of cholinergic neurons
- development and differentiation of cholinergic neurons
- synthesis, storage, and release of acetylcholine
- presynaptic regulation of acetylcholine release
- cholinergic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer´s disease
- influence of beta-amyloid on acetylcholine metabolism and muscarinic transmission
- molecular pharmacology of muscarinic receptors
- allosteric modulation of receptor activation.
- interaction of receptors with G-proteins
- modelling of muscarinic receptor signal transduction.
2. Group of Biochemistry of Membrane Receptors
The research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of desensitization of hormone response mediated by the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). G protein-coupled receptors are plasma membrane integral proteins that serve as transducers of extracellular signals across the plasma membrane bilayer to the cell interior. GPCR play a key role in the regulation of many physiological processes and functions. Moreover, GPCRs represent one of the most important groups of targets for therapeutics. The main areas of the research are:
- role of the cell membrane and membrane domains
- opioid receptors and drug addiction
- effect of monovalent ions on δ-opioid receptors – analysis of lithium effect in living cells and isolated cell membranes.