ProjektportalGABA’s role beyond the nervous system: Investigating its immunomodulatory effects on human immune cells
Terrmin
VT24
Beskrivning
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system and it plays a critical role in regulating neuronal excitability. However, what is truly fascinating is that GABA also exhibits immunomodulatory effect within the immune system, where specific GABA receptors are expressed across various immune cell types. This immunomodulatory role holds particular significance in the context of inflammation and autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Repurposing clinically approved GABAergic drugs offers promising prospects for treating these diseases.
The overarching goal of this research project is to explore the plasticity of GABA signaling in human immune cells under both physiological and pathological conditions. The regulatory rules on lab safety and working with human blood samples will be strictly instructed. The project will involve the isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and specific immune cell subtypes from fresh blood samples or buffy coats obtained from healthy donors and, when necessary, from certain groups of patients. Various experimental techniques, including proliferation assay, quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, patch-clamp recording and Ca2+ imaging, will be performed as appropriate. This research endeavor promises to deepen our understanding of the intricate GABA-related signaling pathway within immune cells, shedding light on potential therapies for immune-related disorders.
Huvudområde
Farmaceutisk vetenskap
Ämne
Fysiologi
Typ
Laborativ studie
Företag
Uppsala University
Ort/Plats
uppsala
Handledarens namn
Zhe Jin
Handledarens e-post
Zhe.Jin@mcb.uu.se
Institution
Institutionen för medicinsk cellbiologi
Program
Apotekarprogrammet
Kurs
Degree Project in Biopharmaceuticals 30 hp - 3FB035
Omfattning/hp
30hp
Hur många studenter kan antagas för detta projekt?
1