Szeged University

The Translational Biomedicine Institute (established in 2018, lead by Prof. Dr. Lajos Kemeny) will be involved in applying state of the art scientific methodologies, mostly in imaging of the in vitro neuronal cell models, derived from human iPSC (by BIOT) in order to identify and characterize pathways and mechanisms involved in PC exposures and subsequent adverse effects. In the institute, the “Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Pharmacology Laboratory” of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology was established as a part of the ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network) and HECRIN (Hungarian European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network) laboratory. Research mainly focuses on stem cell and organoid biology, immunology and tissue regeneration for research and therapeutic purposes. In ongoing projects the role of mesenchymal stem cells in tissue regeneration, immunomodulation and angiogenesis in the skin, under healthy and pathological conditions are investigated. The Laboratory coordinates, manage and performs the isolation, ex vivo and in vitro culture of primary, stem- and progenitor cells and tissues, their cryopreservation and biobanking as well. The stem and progenitor cell based experimental models and modern high-throughput systems combine current advanced therapeutic products (ATMPs, cell therapy products) with classical pharmacological studies to provide the detection and investigation of new, unknown potential drug molecules and therapeutic targets. The effect of drug molecules and pharmaceutical agents on the differentiation, immunological properties and tissue regeneration potential of stem cells, including and mini-organoid systems are being investigated as well. Additive manufacturing and 3D bioprinting is used to develop of bio-engineered soft and skeletal tissues constructs.

Short biography principal investigator

Prof. Lajos Kemény Ph.D, D.Sc.

Prof. Lajos Kemény Ph.D, D.Sc.

Since 2004, he is the head of Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the University of Szeged. Leader of Hungarian and international associations of dermatology specialize in inflammatory diseases of the skin, skin damage caused by light radiation, treatment of malignant skin lesions. He has 23 patents in the field of biotechnology, molecular biology and light therapy.

His outstanding work in patient care, education and research has been acknowledged several times.

Key Research Facility and Equipment

The Translational Biomedicine Institute is well equipped with human cell culture laboratories, imaging facilities, and molecular biology laboratories.  The laboratory’s staff competence, infrastructure and instrument panel provides fast and accurate high-throughput and large-scale data measurements even in pharma-industrial quantity and quality. Furthermore the laboratory is capable for the pre-clinical screening, protocol development, the quality control and monitoring (QC) of cellular therapy product (CTP) and advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) manufacturing as well. The infrastructure contains state of the art high content imaging systems, 3D bioprinters, magnetic nanoparticles based spheroid printers, impedance based wound healing and migratory equipment as well.

Infrastructure:

  • 3D Bioprinter with heated bed system
  • ACEA 16W impedance based xCELLigence RTCA DP Real Time Cell Analyzer
  • Analitik Jena Q3Tower RT-PCR
  • Cryoking Biobanking system
  • Olympus IX83 inverted microscope with Olympus ScanR high content imaging screening platform (Olympus, Japan) upgraded with OKOLAB incubator system (with gas, temperature and humidity controller).
  • Omega LumG Imaging System – digital geldoc system
  • Synergy™ HTX Multi-Mode Microplate Reader with UV-Vis absorbance and filter-based fluorescence and luminescence

Current involvement in Research and Training Programmes

  1. GINOP-2.2.1-15-2017-00073 2017-2019 – Participant
  2. EFOP-3.6.2-16.2017.00015 2017-2019 – Participant
  3. European Union, European Social Fund (EFOP 3.6.2-16. (2017-2020). (project id: 2017-00015)) HU-MATHS-IN EFOP, partner
  4. 779292 — PECUNIA HORIZON 2020 – Counsellor 2018-2022