Name: Semir
Surname: Beyaz
Country: TURKEY
University: Izmir Institute of Technology
Year of study: 2
Title: To die or not to die: “Apoptosis and Cancer”
Abstract: Cell is a chaotic system in which many tightly regulated mechanisms are involved in order to create a harmony between two extremes: “Life and Death”. Actually, there is a narrow line between these extremes and no doubt, thousands of players interact with each other, constructing a huge network. It is noteworthy that the balance of these players determines the cell’s destiny. As one of the tightly regulated mechanisms in the cell’s chaotic atmosphere, apoptosis has a crucial role in terms of this balance. Apoptosis is physiological form of cell death that results in the safe disposal of cells which have fulfilled their intended biological function. On the other hand, cancer cells usually lack the control mechanism of cell divison and block apoptosis, thus are claimed to be immortal. In this work, the relationship between apoptosis and cancer will be discussed by attempting to reveal that how “death” of apoptosis is necessary for life of an organism as well as “immortal life” of cancer cells will eventually result in the organism’s death.
Name: Diego
Surname: Balboa Alonso
Country: Spain
University: Leon University
Year of study: 2
Title: Chromatin stability after cryopreservation of sex reversed rainbow trout sperm
Abstract: Cryopreservation produces several damages to spermatozoa, such as loss of plasma membrane integrity and functionality, loss of motility and ATP content and decrease in fertility rates. Chromatin fragmentation has been demonstrated in different fish species after cryopreservation. Sex reversed males (neomales) are usually used as breeders in trout farms in order to have an all-females offspring. Neomales lack spermiducts and testicular spermatozoa are used for fertilization after maturation in an artificial medium. Testicular cells are more sensitive to different damages, particularly the oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to detect if cryopreservation promotes DNA damage in testicular spermatozoa from sex reversed rainbow trout. The results showed that preservation at low temperatures (4??C) for a short time (5 days) promotes chromatin fragmentation. Nevertheless cryopreservation did not alter chromatin structure, as was observed in milt from other species.
Name: Elena
Surname: Senis Herrero
Country: Spain
University: Leon University
Year of study: 2
Title: Reduction of liver apoptosis by administration of melatonin in a rat model of aging
Abstract: Aging is associated with multiples changes in hepatic functions which can lead to hepatocyte death. During normal aging, there is a direct relation between generation of free radicals and induction of apoptosis in the liver. Mitochondria, the major source of free radicals of the cell, plays an important role in the release of different pro-apoptotic factors, such as cytochrome c, or anti-apoptotic factors, such as bax protein, which can induce different caspases and modify the expression of different genes implicated into regulation of cellular cycle. Antioxidant capacity of melatonin, hormone produced by pineal gland, could have a potential effect to decrease the cell oxidative stress and could favour the reduction of liver apoptosis during aging.
Name: Agata
Surname: Korecka
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw Agricultural University
Year of study: 4
Title: Exploring LPS-induced signals regulating IL-6 expression in macrophages
Abstract: IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine expressed by a variety of cell types. Among immune cells, macrophages are the main IL-6 producers. Recent studies have classified IL-6 as a “late gene”, due to the fact that IL-6 transcription was detectable not earlier than 3 hours after LPS induction of macrophages. It has been proposed that this transcriptional delay is caused by chromatin remodelling events that have to take place at the IL-6 promoter in order to allow transcription factors to bind and initiate IL-6 transcription. In this project we want to identify the signalling pathways and transcription factors involved in mediating nucleosome remodelling at the IL-6 promoter. In a first series of experiments we have explored the activation kinetics of a number of signalling cascades, previously shown to be associated with LPS signalling as well as IL-6 transcription. We found that LPS activates the NFkB, MAPK as wells as PKA pathways in Raw264.7 mouse macrophages. Whereas IL-6 transcription and promoter accessibility were indeed acelate events events in these cells, maximal activation of the investigated signalling cascades occurred after 60 minutes of LPS induction. Using pharmacological inhibitors of kinase activity, we have next explored the relative role of these signalling cascades in IL-6 gene expression. We found that LPS-induced IL-6 transcription and secretion were blocked by pre-treatment with the PKA inhibitor H89. A role for PKA in stimulating IL-6 transcription was furthermore indicated by the observation that dibutyril-cAMP enhanced IL-6 transcription. Interestingly, both NFkB and CREB are well known PKA targets, and binding sites for both transcription factors are present in the IL-6 promoter. In future experiments we will explore the role of PKA in nucleosome remodelling by CHART-PCR. Moreover, we will investigate the contribution of CREB and NFkB to this process by ChIP.
Name: Marcos Jose
Surname: Fernandez Fernandez
Country: Spain
University: Universidad de Leon
Year of study: 3
Title: The phenylacetyl-CoA catabolon: a complex catabolic unit with broad biotechnological applications
Abstract: The Term catabolon was introduced to define a complex functional unit integrated by different catabolic pathways, which are, or could be, co-ordinately regulated, and that catalyses the transformation of structurally related compounds into a common catabolite. The phenylacetyl-CoA catabolon encompasses all the routes involved in the transformation of styrene, 2-phenylethylamine, trans-styrylacetic acid, phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetic acid, phenylacetyl amides, phenylacetyl esters and n-phenylalkanoic acids containing an even number of carbon atoms, into phenylacetyl-CoA. This common intermediate is subsequently catabolized through a route of convergence, the phenylacetyl-CoA catabolon core, into general metabolites. The genetic organization of this central route, the biochemical significance of the whole functional unit and its broad biotechnological applications are discussed.
Name: Soraya
Surname: Becerra Ortiz
Country: Spain
University: Pablo de Olavide Seville
Year of study: 3
Title: Birds, locusts and pesticides in eastern Australia
Abstract: Orthopteran pests cause severe and widespread damage by feeding on pastures, cereal and forage crops, and even on fruits and vegetables. In fact, the economic damage caused by locusts has made them one of the most studied insects. In eastern Australia, locust outbreaks have been posing a real problem for agriculture for the last 150 years, and to avoid these damages, big amounts of insecticides are being used. However, pesticides can have large scale effects, since they are usually applied to vast areas, and can be further dispersed by wind or water. Birds are important predators of locusts. So, ever since toxic chemicals have been applied in agricultural pest control, birds are among organisms at the highest risk. This research aims to determine which bird species are potentially at risk of exposure to locust control pesticides in eastern Australia. Due to the unpredictable nature of locust outbreaks, spray events and rainfall, we have taken a landscape approach to this question, with the area of interest coincident with the area of responsibility of the Australian Plague Locust Commission. We study the three most important locusts species in eastern Australia (Australian plague locust, Spur-throated locust and Migratory locust), 285 avian species (with different sensitivities to toxicants) and pesticides of different chemical composition (and hence toxicity). Examining rainfall patterns (the most important climatic factor in eastern Australia governing locust and birds distributions), and its correlations with soil and vegetation, we obtained spatio-temporal patterns of distribution of the locust species and control events. And using the Birds Australia database, avian species distributions were obtained by applying generalized linear models. Probabilities of a bird species present at times and locations of locust control applications were calculated, and in the last step the risk of exposure is evaluated considering other life-history characteristics, such as feeding habits.
Name: Visnapuu
Surname: Triinu
Country: Estonia
University: University of Tartu
Year of study: 5
Title: Purification and properties of heterologously expressed levansucrase proteins
Abstract: Many species of bacteria have enzymes synthezising different oligo- and polysaccharides. Levansucrases are enzymes that produce fructan polymers from sucrose as main substrate. For example Zymomonas mobilis, Erwinia herbicola, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and pseudomonads contain levansucrase genes in their genomes or on a plasmid. Levansucrase proteins have been under investigation because they may have important role in pathogenesis of plants, and on the other hand, fructans synthesized by levansucrases are suggested to have prebiotic and anti-cancer effect. We cloned two levansucrase genes (lsc2, lsc3) from a plant pathogenic Pseudomonas and expressed them in Escherichia coli from yeast maltase gene promoter. We selected recombinant clones on sucrose containing media and obtained high specific activity of levansucrase. Levansucrases were not secreted from E. coli and stayed mostly in the cytoplasm. The enzymes were purified for further investigation. We studied biochemical properties of the proteins, for example the optimum temperature and pH, as well as affinity parameters of the enzymes - Km, Ki for the substrates. Substrate specificity assay revealed a novel property for levansucrases from pseudomonads they also used raffinose as a substrate, although showing higher affinity for sucrose.
Name: Julia
Surname: Budziszewska
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw University
Year of study: 4
Title: Seed-borne fungi influence on Small Balsam domination in Poland
Abstract: We discus seed-borne fungi influence on the spread of invasive Balsam species- Impatiens parviflora DC. in Poland. The key issue in the concept of fungi influence on I. parviflora domination is hypothetical difference between mycoflora of Small and Touch-me-not Balsam seeds. The study was carried out on 352 seeds of native I. noli-tangere and 366 seeds of I. parviflora collected directly from plants in northeastern Poland. The seeds were incubated in 15??C on PDA or MA medium on Petri dishes. After 7-14 days, seed-borne fungi were identified using the microscope observation. The statistical analysis were executed by the maximum likelihood method type 1 (MLE), the Principal Component Analysis and the Soerensens and Jaccards indices. The observations let to define the differences in mycoflora of both Balsam species. The presence of some fungi species, like Rhizopus stolonifer seems to be related with I. noli-tangere seeds. The obtained results suggest that fungi colonizing Touch-me-not Balsam seeds could be one of the factors favoring the spread of I. parviflora DC. in Poland.
Name: Paula
Surname: Roszczenko
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw University
Year of study: 4
Title: Immmunoproteomics of Helicobacter pylori
Abstract: Helicobacter pylori, gramnegative spiral-shaped bacteria, member of e-Proteobacteria, colonizes the gastric mucosa of humans. H. pylori has been identified as the causative agent of chronic inflammation, chronic gastritis and peptic ulceration and is considered a risk factor for the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Although more than 50% of human population is infected with H. pylori only a subset develops disease. The completion of two H. pylori genome sequences revealed the enormous strain heterogeneity and permitted comparative proteome analysis. Immunoproteomics, a novel strategy combining standard proteomics with immunological screening, is currently method of choice for identification of new antigens of diagnostic and protective values. Highly specific antigens will be used as biomarkers of different pathology induced by H. pylori infection whereas novel highly immunogenic, conserved, abundant and surface-located proteins will facilitate efficient anti-Helicobacter vaccine construction.
Name: Marek
Surname: Tyl
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw University
Year of study: 4
Title: Chromatin remodeling
Abstract: The post-translational modification of histones plays an important role in chromatin regulation, a process that insures the fidelity of gene expression and other DNA transactions. Equally important as the enzymes that generate these modifications are the enzymes that remove them. Recent studies have identified some of the enzymes that remove histone modifications and have characterized their activities. In addition, structural and biochemical studies of these enzymes have focused on the histone lysine deacetylases HDAC8 and sirtuins, and on the arginine and lysine demethylases PAD and BHC110/LSD1, respectively. These new findings may be used as a context to present new information that contributes to our understanding of chromatin regulation, and to pose remaining questions pertaining to the activities of these enzymes and the roles they play in chromatin regulation.
Name: Jolanta
Surname: Mazversite
Country: Latvia
University: University of Latvia
Year of study: 3
Title: Polymorphism of the cattle myostatin (MSTN) gene microsatellite and surrounding SNPs
Abstract: Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, is a highly conserved, potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth in many species from rodents to humans. Loss of MSTN activity in cattle, mice, and humans leads to a profound phenotype of muscle overgrowth associated with more and larger fibers and enhanced regenerative capacity. Several MSTN gene structural variations have been reported as potentially significant in cattle phenotype performance. Here we report data on the genotyping of the region encompassing intron I microsatellite locus in Latvian brown and Latvian blue cattle breeds. Newly described SNPs in 5′ and 3′ flanks of this gene portion seem to exist in linkage block with microsatellite alleles. Genetic diversity of the revealed polymorphisms was evaluated in the two cattle breeds.
Name: Anna
Surname: Lenard
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw Agricultural University
Year of study: 4
Title: Cloning and expression of cDNAs encoding Mesocricetus auratus cytokines using prokaryotic expression system pET”
Abstract: Nematode parasites infection is a significant problem in both human and veterinary medicine. Information on cytokines dynamics in immunological response during hookworm infection does not exist in science literature. Possible changes of interleukins levels in vaccine trials with recombinant antigens have not been investigated yet. The aim of the project is to obtain antibodies recognising syrian hamster cytokines and subsequently, to analyse the expression level of cytokines during Ancylostoma ceylanicum infection in three different age groups of hamsters. It is necessary to obtain serum recognising hamster cytokines, since commercial antibodies are not available. cDNAs encoding cytokines were cloned using pBS SK II. pET expression system was used to obtain recombined proteins in Escherichia coli strain BL 21. The proteins were purified with affinity chromatography on nickel beads in denaturing conditions (4M urea). cDNA expression and proteins solubility was analised by Western blotting with anti-His antibodies. Chickens will be immunized with recombined proteins and obtained serums will be used to analyse dynamics of cytokines expression by ELISA technique.
Name: Jaroslaw
Surname: Cendrowski
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw Agricultural University
Year of study: 4
Title: “Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs encoding A.ceylanicum translation elongation factors and possible use of EF-1alpha, EF-1beta and MEF as drug targets in hookworm infection”
Abstract: The large number of people suffers from ancylostomatosis all over the world, especially in tropical regions. This disease is caused by blood sucking intestinal nematodes called hookworms. Traditional anti-hookworm therapy involves the use of anti helminth drugs, which may be harmful for pregnant women and small children. Moreover anti-drugs resistance has been observed in parasites populations against commonly used anthelminths. Our approach is to identify proteins crucial for hookworm survival and development which may become specific drug targets in anti hookworm therapy. Our researches are focused on proteins involved in translation in Ancylostoma ceylanicum: EF-1alpha, EF-1beta, MEF. Complete cDNAs of EF-1alpha and EF-1beta were cloned in pBluescript vector and their nucleotide and amino acid sequences were achieved. Amino acid sequences of EF1 alpha and EF 1 beta were compared to homologous proteins in humans. The results show high level of similarity of EF-1alpha to human homologue and low level of similarity of EF-1beta to human homologue. This can rise hopes for development of specific inhibitor of EF-1beta and its use as effective drug in anti hookworm treatment.
Name: Miholcsa
Surname: Tam??s
Country: Hungary
University: Es Lornd University
Year of study: 5.
Title: Change of the timing of autumn migration in Acrocephalus and Locustella genus
Abstract: The average temperature of the atmosphere has increased with 1.5-2 oC in the last century and the warmest 10 summers were in the last 15 years. The rise of temperature caused by the climate change does of course not mean that it will be warmer every year, this is only a trend for the average temperature for the last one hundred years. So it is difficult to decide, that the change of timing of the autumn migration seen at some bird species is the answer given for the actual change of weather of the year by certain individuals or the result of the force of selection on the whole species caused by the climate change. Our research was done on trans-sahara migrant Acrocephalus and Locustella species caught in csa (Hungary) with standardized conditions between 1987-2004. Cumulative diagrams of the migration have been constructed for adults and juveniles for every year and the dates of the 50% and 90% catching values have been established. These data have been represented in the function of years and the average temperatures of August. On these distributions linear regressions have been made and their parameters have been studied. The very close relative species react to the climate change in different degrees and direction. Although the study period is short, we have found some significant changes in the timing of migration and correlations with the temperature. The early migrating species migrate earlier and the later-migrating species later. The migrating strategies of the species are very complex, so it is hard to give a uniform explication for the changes, but it seems likely that moult is a key-factor in determining the time of departure: those birds which have a post-breeding moult, migrate later, the non-moulting birds migrate earlier.
Name: Kristina Olexandr
Surname: Serebriakova Koliada
Country: Ukraine Ukraine
University: Kiev national Shevchenko University
Year of study: 4
Title: The influence of an alkylating agent Mitomycin C on induction of a repair enzyme O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase in mammalian cell culture
Abstract: O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) is a unique DNA repair protein. It repairs initial damages induced by alkylating agents, which are widely used in manufacture and medicine. The most dangerous lesions occur at the O6-position of guanine, where O6-alkylguanine DNA adducts are formed. AGT protects cells from cytotoxic and mutagenic actions of the alkylation. Each AGT molecule removes one adduct through covalent binding of the alkyl group to its own cysteine residue. During this process, irreversible inactivation of the protein occurs and synthesis of new protein molecules is required to regenerate AGT activity (Tong W.P., Kirk M.C., 1982; Baer J.C., Freeman A.A., 1993). The alkylating agents are widely used in the chemotherapy of cancer. So to have better results with little doses of those agents it is necessary that the AGT level in a patient’s tumor to be minimum. We must take into account the influence of such drugs on the level of AGT expression. Mitomycin C (C15H18N4O5) is one of such an alkylating drugs. This is an antineoplastic antibiotic with alkylating properties. It inhibits DNA synthesis selectively. In high concentration it has a suppression influence on the cell RNA and protein synthesis (the Russian Federation drugs register). In this study, we have studied an influence of the alkylating agent Mitomycin C on the level of AGT expression in mammalian cells of different origination. We used the mouse cell culture of the line G7 (germinative stem cells) and human fibroblast culture 4BL-2 (the line from healthy donor cells). During the experiment we have determined that Mitomycin C stimulates AGT expression both in mouse and in human cells.
Name: Szecsenyi-Nagy
Surname: Anna
Country: Germany
University: ELTE Budapest
Year of study: 5
Title: Real-time PCR quantification of human complement C4A and C4B genes in autism
Abstract: The autism is likely to result from a complex combination of enviromental, neurological, immunological and genetic factors. In its etiology, disorders of the immunsystem were postulated. The research of the copy number polymorphisms is a frequently examined topic in genetics studies. I have examined the C4 genes, located on the short arm of chromosome 6, in a so-called RCCX module of the MHC III. class. Complement C4 plays an essential role in the activation cascades of the classical complement pathway. C4 genes have two main isotypes, C4A and C4B encoding functionally different proteins. Most individuals have the same number of the two different C4 genes, while about 30% of the population has a lower level of either C4A or C4B proteins. The unbalanced production of C4A and C4B proteins has been associated to several diseases. C4B deficienty was found to be associated with autism bay Odell et al. in 2005. My association study choose these C4 genes, as putative candidate genes and I tried to determine whether this copy-number polymorphism shows a significant association with the autism. Real-time PCR is one of the most applicable and up-todate methods for DNA quantification, which allows to track the accumulation of the PCR product during the reaction. I would report a novel and rapid qPCR method for the gene dosage determination of the complement C4A and C4B genes. Our system employs Real-time PCR, and affiliates the two major applications of TaqMan probes: quantitative assay and SNP detection. I analised 76 autistic DNA and 121 controll subjects. Our result corresponds to the literary datas.
Name: Sara
Surname: Cregeen
Country: Slovenia
University: University of Ljubljana
Year of study: 2
Title: Analysis of DNA microsatellite sequences
Abstract: Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are short tandemly-repeated DNA sequences that are highly abundant in eucaryotic genomes. Microsatellites have become the genetic markers of choice for many genetic studies of eukaryotes. They are hypervariable, codominant and uniformly dispersed in genomes. The development of a microsatellite marker system for a new species requires isolation, cloning, sequencing and characterisation of microsatellite loci before their efficient use.
An inventory and characterisation of fig genetic resources was carried out within a project of revitalization of fig (Ficus carica L.) cultivation, for which microsatellite markers for figs were developed. My work within this project was the isolation of microsatellite sequences and development of SSR markers. Microsatellite-enriched libraries for GAn and GTn types of repeats were constructed using fig DNA cut by a combination of restriction enzymes. Bacterial clones were arrayed on a nylon membrane and Southern screening was performed with biotinylated microsatellite probes. Positive clones were randomly selected from libraries and sequenced. PCR primer pairs were developed and 15 SSR markers were characterized on a set of 23 fig genotypes. The microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic, revealing a total of 65 different alleles, and they can be successfully applied for varietal identification and molecular characterization of figs.
Name: Damjan
Surname: Vinko
Country: Slovenia
University: University of Ljubljana
Year of study: 3
Title: Invertarisation of dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) in Menge region (Slovenia)
Abstract:
Name: Barbara
Surname: Zakek
Country: Slovenia
University: University of Ljubljana
Year of study: 2
Title: Metapopulation structure of Maculinea teleius (Bergstrsser, 1779) and M. nausithous (Bergstrsser, 1779) in fragmented landscape of Slovenske gorice
Abstract:???????? The central part of Slovenske gorice hosts one of the last remaining metapopulations of the two endangered large blues Maculinea teleius (Bergstrsser, 1779) and M. nausithous (Bergstrsser, 1779) in Slovenia. Both species are wet grassland specialists and frequently live syntopically. They use the same larval hostplant Sanguisorba officinalis, but at different stages of flovering and generally in different microhabitats. During part of their life cycle they parasitise in the nests of specific Myrmica ants. Their distribution in Slovenske Gorice is therefore limited to few remnants of humid grasslands situated in smaller valleys. In order to confirm a metapopulation structure and estimate population size of both species a mark-release-recapture study was carried out between 15. 7. and 22. 8. 2006. Altogether 207 M. teleius and 459 M. nausithous specimens were marked. First results indicate few long distance migrations of both species. These migrations occurred between valleys and along long stretches of unsuitable habitat. The maximum distance covered by M. teleius was 2200 m and 2030 m for M. nausithous. Most of the long distance migrants (more than 1000 m) were females and no long distance migrating M. teleius males were detected. As migrating females are important in maintaining the metapopulation structure we conclude that retaining and management of all available habitat patches is necessary to preserve the metapopulation of both species in this region.
Name: David
Surname: Stankovic
Country: Slovenia
University: University of Ljubljana
Year of study: 5
Title: Molecular phylogenetics and speciation of endemic leeches from Dina genus in the ancient Balkan lake Lake Ohrid (Macedonia)
Abstract: Ancient lakes have long been recognized as evolutionary playgrounds and home of many endemic species; the evolution of their morphologically highly diverse species flocks has received a lot of attention. Ancient lakes can act as evolutionary reservoirs that assure the survival of relic species, but at the same time extant species may evolve through intralacustrine speciation. Many studies have been carried out for the African (e.g. Lake Tanganyika) and Asian (e.g. Lake Baikal) ancient lakes. For European ancient lakes (e.g. Lake Ohrid) such studies were largely missing until recently. In our work, morphologically diverse endemic leeches of the genus Dina from the Balkan Lake Ohrid were used in a phylogenetic context (1) to test whether they represent an ancient lake species flock and (2) to study the mode of speciation. In a phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences from two mitochondrial genes (COI, 12S rDNA) and one nuclear gene (28S rDNA), it was found that the Lake Ohrid species from the Dina ohridiana-complex SKET, 1989 form an endemic monophyletic group with the exception of a D. lineata found in on of the feeder springs. None of the leeches from other examined waterbodies within the same watershed belong to the D. ohridian-complex lineage. The present study confirms the existence of a species flock of leeches in an ancient lake. It is shown that Lake Ohrid represents a site of intralacustrin speciation rather than an evolutionary reservoir. Moreover, it provides an evidence for a rapid morphological evolution in a species flock of an European ancient lake. The study also shows the discrepancy between the rates of morphological and molecular evolution in the Lake Ohrid leeches: morphologically very diverse leeches from the D. ohridian-complex are genetically very similar. On the other hand, European leeches from the Dina genus are morphologically very similar but genetically distinct.
Name: Katarzyna
Surname: Wisniewska
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw University
Year of study: 4
Title: Heterological expression in bacteria
Abstract: There are four main expression systems to achive high amounts of a heterological protein: in bacterial cells and three eucariotic systems (in yeast, insects and mammals cells). Bacterial system is the simplest one and still the most popular, although it is usually impossible to obtain properly folded larger eucariotic proteins with posttranslational modifications using Escherichia coli. There are plenty of methods which have been introduced to simplify work wirh bacterial systems, e.g. Gateway and TOPO (alternative methods of recombination to construct an expression vector), GFP (a fusion protein which revolutionised research in bacterial pathogenesis) or TAP system (tandem affinity purification of fusion proteins).
Name: Kinga
Surname: Rutowicz
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw University
Year of study: 4
Title: Application of proteomics to cancer diagnostics
Abstract: Application of proteomics in many scientific araes has been increasing appreciably for last years. Particulary this application has huge potential in medicine- in diagnostics of many diseases or in searching for new targets for medicines. Cancer is the main cause of people`s death in the world. It is because of lack of effective therapies for the late-detected cancers. Consequently early diagnosis has paramount importance to acheive successful recovering. New technologies like mass spectrometry, microassays, laser capture microdissection and computer sciences are very helpful to establish protein pattern for instance in the form of mass spectrum. This pattern can be specific in given cancer. Material for analysis is easy of access, for example blood or urine. It gives a hope that we will be able to win with the cancer.
Name: Wojciech
Surname: Galej
Country: Poland
University: Warsaw University
Year of study: 3
Title: Apoptosis in yeast
Abstract: Apoptosis is a highly regulated cellular suicide program, which play important role in development, homeostasis and integrity of metazoans. Recently, it has been shown that number of unicellular organisms also possess the ability to undergo programmed death. Although not all the components of apoptotical machinery are conserved during evolution, there are some which could be found among almost all the levels of complexity. How can single cell benefit from its own death? There are some theories that explain evolutionary context of this phenomenon. The central role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis and cell ageing will also be discussed. Key words: apoptosis, cell death, yeast, ROS, RNA.
Name: Milla
Surname: Niemi
Country: FINLAND
University: University of Helsinki
Year of study: 7
Title: Can we use hunter’s knowledge of road crossings by moose as indicator of small vertebrate’s roadkill aggregations?
Abstract: Roads reducing movements of terrestrial vertebrates and road mortality can be harmful for local populations. It is possible to mitigate the adverse impacts of roads and traffic by building wildlife passageways, such as greenbridges. Passageways are effective way to reduce roadkills and facilitating animal movements, but only when they are located during animals route. Large passageways are expensive, so it is not possible to construct them frequently. Therefore we need a way to easily get exact information of crossing sites of small and medium sized animals. We studied is it possible to predict the routes of small and medium sized animals by using moose as an indicator specie. Our study areas were situated in the province of Uusimaa in southern Finland. Traditional crossing routes of moose were located with moose hunters. We selected ten moose routes with controls with similar landscape and traffic features like traffic volume and road width. In summer and autum 2004 we collected all roadkilled animals on the verge of the roads. Then we compared the number of carcasses between moose routes and control areas. In total 102 dead small and medium sized vertebrates were found. Most of them were birds (36 %) and mammals (36 %). Amphibians constituted 20 % of the observations and reptiles 5 %. There were significantly more carcasses in routes than in control areas. Results were the same whether the data was analyzed with and without birds. Our results show that it is possible to use hunter’s knowledge about of moose movements when planning passageways for small and medium sized animals. If it is not feasible to build wide wildlife passages, smaller faunapipes can be a good choise.
Name: Vytautas
Surname: Gapys
Country: Lithuania
University: Vilnius University
Year of study: 4
Section: B
Title: Mathematical modelling of gravitropic reaction in plants
Abstract: Tropic movements in plants and fungi have been a great matter of interest for scientists for more than a hundred years. Researches in the field of gravitropic reactions have been well boosted by the advances in space industry. Since the middle of XX century many mathematical models have been purposed to describe gravitropism. Here will be presented two main concepts for creating mathematical models for gravitropic reaction. Models developed by A.Stoskus, A.Meskauskas and D.Moore will be observed. Also a newly developed mathematical model will be introduced and the purpose of it’s creation will be justified concluding with sketches for mathematical model for phototropic reaction.
Name: Raimonda
Surname: Butkute
Country: Norway
University: University of Oslo
Year of study: 4
Title: The effect of glycosylation on natural transformation under suboptimal conditions
Abstract: I am a Master student at Prof., Michael Koomey group. One of the main research interests of the Koomey Group lie in studies of the molecular and cell biology of microbial pathogenesis that is the study of how bacterial pathogens cause disease in man. These studies are done using mainly Neisseria gonorrhoeae as a model organism. The major goal is to understand the biology of the gonococcal Type IV pilus (Tfp) as a colonization factor of human cells as well as the other Tfp associated functions such as agglutination, transformation and twitching motility. To do so we use direct genetic, biochemical and structural approaches. In the recent years it was found that not only eukaryotes but also prokaryotic organisms add sugar molecules on to proteins. N. gonorrhoeae glycosylate a number of its proteins and among these is PilE, the major Tfp subunit. The post-translational modification of PilE is caused by a set of enzymes called Pgl that functioning at different stages in glycosylation pathway. So far no phenotype for Tfp associated functions has been observed in the various pgl mutant backgrounds. In this context, my work focuses on the analysis of whether glycosylation has any effect on natural transformation under more suboptimal conditions.
Name: Anastasiya
Surname: Kamenska
Country: Ukraine
University: Shevchenko National University
Year of study: 1
Title: Investigation of adsorption and ions with the help of alive and dead cells of yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae (556) and blue-green algaes(Microcystis)
Abstract: The purpose of our investigation was the research of an opportunity of adsorption PC. That is it is possible to draw a conclusion, that microorganisms have a good ability to adsorb toxic metals. And the best ph for transit of process will be in case Cr - 2,8, and Cu - 3,8, and the best concentration - greatest of those which size yet does not depress ability to live of a cell (if microorganism awake). At blue-green algaes sorption - biological process, and at yeast behind the literary data and on the basis of the carried out(spent) experiences - physical and chemical, that may matter for the decision of what form of microorganisms awake or inactive application will be more effective. That is these microorganisms may be applied in purification of sewage of the enterprises instead of chemical materials(matters) (the activated coal). This use will be more effective and cheap enough.
Name: Ignacio
Surname: Guerra Perez
Country: Spain
University: Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Year of study: 3
Title: Apoptotic Microtubule Network: “Tubulin Shield”
Abstract: Microtubule cytoskeleton is reformed during the execution phase of apoptosis. In this research we demonstrate that, in many cell types and under different apoptotic stimuli, microtubules are closely associated with the plasma membrane forming a cortical ring or cellular “cocoon”, which could be named “tubulin shield”. This reformation of the microtubule cytoskeleton is intracellular calcium dependant, and plays an important role in preserving plasma membrane integrity during apoptosis, while other components of the cytoskeleton like actin or cytokeratins disassemble.
Name: Vicente Garca
Surname: Cristina
Country: Spain
University: U.P.O. Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Year of study: 3
Title: Energetic metabolism and its role in obesity
Abstract: Obesity is defined as “the body weight increased caused by excessive fat accumulation”. Obesity is a health problem with increasing prevalence in developed societies. Furthermore, obesity is an important risk factor for other diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Body weight depends on the balance between food intake and energetic metabolism. For this reason, the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying both factors is essential for the development of new treatments against obesity. A study is being carried out in mutant mice that present an elevated food intake without overweight compared with wild type littermates. Surprisingly, overnight fasting cause a higher loss of body weight in mutant mice than in wild type mice. Studies comparing the energetic metabolism in mutant and wild type mice are needed in order to elucidate the molecular basis of this interesting phenomenon.
Name: Alicia
Surname: Jimnez
Country: Spain
University: Pablo de Olavide
Year of study: 3
Title: Anphiphilic-DNA layers as a simple model for biological system
Abstract: The organisation of anphiphilics on the air-water interphase leads to the formation of monolayers. This is due to the polar difference between the front and back of the anphiphilic molecule. Phospholipids, which are the main component of cellular membrane, are also anphiphilic organised in bilayers. Their polar heads face the extracellular and intracellular environment, and the non-polar tails are kept inside it. We can reply half of this model using an aphiphilic lipid interphase monolayer. Furthermore we can introduce molecules as important as proteins or DNA on them, and study their interaction.
Name: Alejandro
Surname: Sarrin Perdigones
Country: Spain
University: Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Year of study: 3
Title: Applications of heterologous gene expression in Salmonella
Abstract: It has be designed an heterologous gene expression in Salmonella that consists of a regulatory module with a salicylate-inducible system that controls the expression of a second regulator, xylS2, whose product is activated by common inducers. This system has been modified by over imposing a second regulatory level by attenuation. These vectors and the concept of their design have been patented and will be very useful in regulating overproduction of heterologous proteins both at laboratory and industrial scales. This invention has it main application in Biomedicine (live vaccines or therapeutic agents) but it can also be used as a large-scale protein production.
Name: Elina
Surname: Peuhu
Country: Finland
University: University of Helsinki
Year of study: 1
Title: The importance of decaying trees to saproxylics in urban environment
Abstract: Forest-dwelling insects are one of the most threatened groups of species in todays Finland. These species are mainly dependent on dead or decaying trees. There are about ten-fold more dead wood in old-growth forests than in managed forests. Furthermore there are only about one percent old-growth forests left in southern Finland. Because of these facts many of the forest-dwelling species are threatened today. Cities may provide good variety of habitats for saproxylics. For example, in Helsinki city there are many broad-leaved tree species that are relatively rare or do not exist elsewhere in Finland. These city trees possess a new habitat for many saproxylic species that are either specialised in broad-leaved trees or demand a long continuity of dead wood and perhaps a good connectivity of habitats. I will study the saproxylic fauna living in old hollow and decaying broad-leaved city trees. My aim is to find out the characteristics of the host trees and stands affecting the fauna. The fauna concerned includes beetles, hymenoptera and diptera. After determining the importance of different structures of host trees, such as tree species, degree of decay, the size of hollow, light conditions and isolation of the host tree, we can target our conservation efforts in the most effective way. We will also try to find out if there are species or groups of species among the saproxylics that can indicate a high degree of biodiversity. This thesis consist of five studies.
Name: Beata
Surname: Fijalkowska
Country: Belgium
University: University of Gent
Year of study: 7
Title: Structure-function analysis of the NF-kB inhibitory protein A20
Abstract: NF-kB is an important transcription factor that is indispensable in the mounting of an immune response. However, enhanced or uncontrolled NF-kB-activity can lead to several disease states such as cancer and auto-immunity. Therefore, the activation of NF-kB is held in tight control. The Zinc finger protein A20 is an important negative feedback regulator of TNFa- and IL-1-induced NF-kB activation. The A20 protein contains two domains, an N-terminal OTU-domain, which has been shown to have de-ubiquitinating activity, and a C-terminal Zinc finger domain with ubiquitin ligase activity. Our group previously identified several proteins that interact with either the C-terminal part of A20 (e.g. Abin-1, 14-3-3 and TXBP151) or the N-terminal part (e.g. TRAF2). The scaffold protein 14-3-3 can interact with A20 via a crucial 14-3-3 binding motif in the C-terminal part of A20. Mutation of this 14-3-3-interaction motif in A20 has been shown to result in the spontaneous proteolysis of A20, generating two fragments corresponding to both ubiquitin-modifying domains of A20. To investigate whether the proteolysis of A20 influences its NF-kB inhibiting potential, we analysed the effect of both wild-type A20, mutated A20, or fragments of A20 in an NF-kB-dependent reporter assay. In line with our previous observations, we observed an inhibition of TNF-induced NF-kB by overexpression of wild-type A20. However, overexpression of the N-terminal part of A20 had no effect, whereas the C-terminal part of A20 could still inhibit NF-kB but to a lesser extent than the wild-type protein. Furthermore we analysed the expression of A20 in different cell-types. In contrast to the inducible expression of A20 after TNF-stimulation in the macrophage cell-line THP-1, expression of A20 in the Jurkat T-cell line appears to be constitutive. In the future, (co-)localisation studies will be performed in these cells to analyse the behaviour of A20 (and its interaction partners) after stimulation.
Name: Alma
Surname: Linkeviciute
Country: Lithuania
University: Vilnius University
Year of study: 5
Title: Neuroethics: Problems Lithuania Faces in Pharmaceutical Industry
Abstract: Neuroethics is a controversial term itself. There are quite many opinions supporting and denying such a science. Although it does exit and deal with ethical problems, concerning interventions to nervous system. A target of this research is pharmacy, especially medicines and preparations (registered as food supplements) functioning like memory aids. Short overview of Lithuanian and European Union legal acts concerning usage of medicines, which have an affect on nervous system, will be made. As well as economical issues will be marked. Moreover, results of social survey carried within Lithuanian students will be presented. Social, legal, medical and ethical problems arising while using memory aids will be presented and discussed. Everyone attending the conference will be welcomed to fill-in a questionnaire about memory aids for further research.
Name: Liisa
Surname: Vihervuori
Country: Finland
University: University of Helsinki
Year of study: 2
Title: Herbivory of transgenic silver birch (Betula pendula) in field
Abstract: In agriculture genetically modified plants are widely studied and used, but in forestry only the first steps have been taken. Transgenic trees have been produced in Finland and the first field trial has been carried out. In Finland, silver birch is used as a model species for tree biotechnology. Sugar beet chitinase IV gene has recently been successfully introduced into silver birch in order to study the possibilities to increase fungal disease resistance in birch. Silver birch is commercially the most important deciduous tree species in Finland. Many insect and mammalian herbivores feed on birch. This research was started in May 2003. The aim of this research is to provide new information on the interactions between GM-birch and herbivores that can be used in the risk assessment of GM-trees. One aim was to find out whether there were differences in the herbivore pressure (species composition, density and visible damage among chitinase transgenic birch lines and wild-type birch.
Name: Szitar
Surname: Katalin
Country: Hungary
University: Eotvos Lorand University
Year of study: 2
Section: A
Title: Long-term changes in species composition of seven Hungarian rocky grassland communities
Abstract: The aim of the study was to detect and interpret long-term vegetation composition changes of seven rocky grassland associations in Hungary. We compared 71 releves (25 m2 each) recorded in the 1930-60s and re-investigated in 1991-94 in the Northern- and the Trans-Danubian Mountains. The samples represent the diversity of rocky grasslands on three main substrate types: dolomite, limestone and silicate. No permanent plots have been marked at the first sampling period, so the re-study was based on personal communication with the authors, this way ‘corresponding quadrats’ were sampled. During the first sampling period cover estimation underwent a methodological development, therefore only binary data were used for this study. General compositional changes have been examined by detrended correspondence analysis. The results of vegetation change were interpreted with different species traits: life history strategies, ecological indicator values for nitrogen requirement and social behaviour types of vascular species (to estimate the naturalness of the communities). Frequency of species within different categories of each trait per plot was used for the analyses. The significance of time changes in frequencies was tested by paired t-test. The investigated seven rocky grassland associations underwent vascular plant species composition changes that resulted in a uniform displacement of plot averages in the ordination space of the DCA. The study revealed the loss of dwarf shrub species and the arrival of annuals. Ecological indicator values for nitrogen requirement have shown significant increase in medium (mesotrophic) levels. The social behaviour types changed significantly during the last 30-60 years in favour of pioneers, disturbance tolerants and weeds. Presumed factors responsible for the observed changes are local (tourism and overpopulated wildlife) and larger scale factors (atmospheric nitrogen deposition and increase in frequency of summer drought). Despite the slight degradation the communities conserved their characteristic species composition.
Name: David
Surname: Heja
Country: Hungary
University: Eotvos Lorand University
Faculty: Faculty of Natural Sciences
Department: Biochemistry
Year of study: 5
Section: B
Title: A novel protease-inhibitor variant was developed by protein engineering for highly efficient affinity chromatography purification of serine-proteases
Abstract: Serine-proteases have been intensely studied at our department for over twenty years. The studies require homogeneous protease samples. This purity can generally be achieved only through several time-consuming steps of traditional purification procedures. To circumvent this, we use affinity chromatography based on a peculiar, broad-range protease inhibitor of Escherichia coli, ecotin, which is secreted to the periplasmic space of the bacteria. It is a non-covalent dimer of two identical subunits. The particular arrangement of the monomers enables homodimer ecotin to chelate two proteases, each being held by both monomers. This structure allows ecotin to inhibit a broad range of serine-proteases including trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, Factor Xa and XIIa. In the original method ecotin was covalently immobilized in a non-oriented manner through lysyl residues. Although this format was successfully applied, two inherent problems emerged due to the immobilization technique. i) A significant proportion of the immobilized molecules was unable to capture proteases most probably because of blocked binding sites. ii) Homodimer ecotin molecules covalently attached to the resin through only one of the two subunits eventually lost the other subunit resulting in the deterioration of column capacity. To solve these problems novel ecotin variants were constructed by recombinant DNA techniques. Two important alterations were made. The C-terminal end of one subunit was fused to the N-terminus of the other one with a short peptide resulting in a single-chain form, SC Eco. Then, a single cysteine was introduced into the linker peptide resulting in SH-SC Eco. The single-chain format prevents dissociation of the subunits, while the free sulfhydryl enables oriented immobilization where both protease-binding sites should be accessible. In this work I present the construction, expression, purification and functional studies of the SC Eco and SH-SC Eco variants and demonstrate that the SH-SC variant is a perfect tool for single-step protease purification.
Name: Rugilė
Surname: Sokolova
Country: Lithuania
University: Vilnius University
Faculty: Natural Sciences
Department: Biochemistry and Biophysics
Year of study: 5
Section: B
Title: Evaluation of cognitive functions in schizophrenic men by Raven’s standard progressive matrices and trail making tests
Abstract: Schizophrenia is a complex illness characterized by multiple types of symptoms. Memory and attention dysfunctions, as part of cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, are especially important. The aim of this research was to evaluate features of cognitive dysfunction among schizophrenic men in comparison with healthy male control group with Raven’s and Trail making tests. 48 control subjects and 21 schizophrenic men 18-62 years old performed Raven’s standard progressive matrices and Trail making tests. This research has revealed statistically significantly worse cognitive functioning as measured by Raven and Trail making tests among schizophrenic men, than among healthy controls.
Name: Agnė
Surname: VaiĨeliūnaitė
Country: Lithuania
University: Vilnius University
Faculty: Natural sciences
Department: Biochemistry and biophysics
Year of study: 5
Section: B
Title: The research on information about menstruations in 18-25 years old women group in Lithuania
Abstract: One of the topic issues in the family and womans life is the womans reproductive health. The further attitude towards the body and sexual health depends on the liability and quality of the first source of information about the menstruations. One of the general tasks of the research was to examine the group of 18 -???????????????????????????????? 25 year old women and to analyze the knowledge of the respondents about their sexual health. The research was executed in January - October 2005. The questionnaire data were collected from 819 female. The results show, that the family is the most important source of knowledge about menses: the smaller town - the stronger influence of family. The mean age at menarche is 13.5 years and it depends on provenance. 76 percent of respondents answered the question about theoretical term of menstrual cycle quite properly. The majority of women preferred menses once a year or every month. The wish to have menses less frequently than once per month is not connected neither with the duration of menstruations nor with the unpleasant feelings that are lasting for a few days before menses.
Name: Rasa
City: Vilnius2000
Country: Lithuania
University: Vilnius University
Faculty: Faculty of Natural Sciences
Department: Biochemistry and Biophysics
Year of study: 4
Section: B
Title: The Open Science Movement
Abstract: A new attitude to science and scientific research is developing. This philosophy or movement is called Open Science. It is generally assumed that the essential requirement for science to be open is that the results be published and rigorously criticized. Though it is only part of the story. The term Open Science encompasses such concepts as Open Access (publishing), Open Data, Open Source (software), Open Standards and Open Licensing. All of which will be reviewed in present report. The most open kind of science that has been practiced to date is however still far from fully open. What kinds of open science are already happening and what could be done taking the path of “openness” in science.
Name: Anna
Surname: Rytk????nen
E-mail: anna.rytkonen@helsinki.fi
Faculty: Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Department: Department of Forest Ecology
Year of study: 7
Section: A
Title: Phytophthora species in ornamental plant trade
Abstract: Species of the genus Phytophthora propose a worldwide threat to plant health. They are plant pathogens which seem to have adapted very well to spreading with international plant trade, and their significance is likely to be greater in the future as trading increases. There are many examples on how an alien Phytophthora species has been detrimental to the ecosystem it has been introduced to. For example, Phytophthora cinnamomi has destroyed whole ecosystems in Australia, and Phytophthora ramorum, which is responsible for a disease called Sudden Oak Death in the west coast of USA, has been a disaster to local oaks and tanoaks after its introduction to California. Phytophthora species are hard to isolate with traditional methods used to isolate fungi. The purpose of this study is to construct a molecular tool which would make the detection and identification of Phytophthora species faster and easier. The tool can then be used to screen the plants in the European plant trade to find out the diversity of Phytophthora species moving in Europe. The tool is then also available to plant inspection officials.