Skip to the main content

Neuroregeneration

Research Department

Group photo of the Department of Neuroregeneration team

We study the mechanisms of CNS diseases, brain and spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Using different types of stem cells (mesenchymal, neural and induced pluripotent), we aim to create in vitro 3D models suitable for drug testing and brain tumour research. We aim to enhance the therapeutic activity of mesenchymal stem cells by modulating their metabolism and 3D microenvironment. Another line of research focuses on the role of exosomes isolated from stem cells in the regeneration of the injured spinal cord, the development of brain aneurysms or the microenvironment of glioblastomas. We are also developing a novel diagnostic method using miRNAs to determine the severity of spinal cord injury in patients. We collaborate with chemists to develop polymers to promote injured tissue regeneration and develop materials for targeted drug delivery to glioblastoma and in vivo imaging. We are collaborating with Prof. James Fawcett at the University of Cambridge on neural tissue regeneration using viral vectors for gene transfer and manipulation of extracellular matrix (see Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience).

Pavla Jendelová

Head of the Department
Assoc. Prof. Pavla Jendelová, Ph.D.

View more

People

Deputy Head

Lucia Urdzíková-Machová, M.D., Ph.D.

Researchers

Slaven Erceg, Ph.D.

Assoc. Prof. Aleš Hejčl, M.D., Ph.D.

Assoc. Prof. Pavla Jendelová, Ph.D.

Kristýna Kárová, Ph.D.

Petr Krůpa, M.D., Ph.D.

Dana Mareková, Ph.D.

Yuriy Petrenko, Ph.D.

Olena Rohulska, Ph.D.

Nataliya Romanyuk, Ph.D.

Karolína Turnovcová, M.D., Ph.D.

Lucia Urdzíková-Machová, M.D., Ph.D.

PhD Students

Ivan Arzhanov, M.Sc.

Kateřina Havelíková, M.Sc.

On maternity leave

Jarmila Havelková, MSc.

Lydia Knight, MSc.

Barbora Smejkalová, M.Sc.

On maternity leave

Kristýna Šintáková, MSc.

Vojtěch Šprincl, MSc.

Kateřina Štěpánková, M.Sc.

Eliška Vavřinová

Pre-Grad Students

Zuzana Polčanová, B.Sc.

Tereza Špundová

Laboratory Technicians

Michal Douděra

Karel Třešňák

Hana Vargošková

Important Results


Perineuronal nets affect memory and learning after synapse withdrawal

It has been proposed that the cavities in perineuronal nets (PNNs), which contain synapses, can act as a memory store and that they remain stable after synaptic withdrawal (SW) caused by anoxia or hibernation. We monitor place memory before and after SW. Synaptic withdrawal caused only mild memory deficit, which was not worsened by PNNs disruption. After SW, only animals lacking PNNs showed memory restoration and relearning. The results support a role for PNNs in learning, but not in long‑term memory storage.

Morris Water maze; effects of PNNs removal on memory before and after synapse withdrawal caused by hibernation-like state (HLS). All mice showed normal learning to find the platform (A). Chondroitinase (ChABC) dissolving PNNs was injected after initial training. Hibernated animals showed a partial loss of memory, but not to the level of naïve animals (B). During the relearning phase (C, D), animals in the HLS group did not show significant re-learning. However, animals treated with ChABC and HLS were fast relearners (D).

 

Publication:

Ružička, J., Dalecká, M., Šafránková, K., Peretti, D., Jendelová, P., Kwok, J.C.F., Fawcet, J.W.: (2022) Perineuronal nets affect memory and learning after synapse withdrawal. Translational Psychiatry. 12(1):480. doi: 10.1038/s41398-022-02226-z.


Projects

Provider

Year

Publications