2.2. 2023, Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology

Laboratory name: Adipose tissue biology

Laboratory website

PhD project: Interconnection between immunometabolism of adipose tissue and heart function

Adipose tissue (AT) has an important secretory function directly affecting heart function. Epicardial AT has close functional relationship to heart due to its localization and circulatory connection. Obesity results in inflammation of AT, while epicardial AT becomes source of inflammatory mediators contributing to potential post-surgical ventricle fibrillations. Obesity is among major risk factors of heart failure. On the other hand, obese patients with advanced heart failure have better prognosis. This “obesity paradox” may be also explained in part by changes in AT metabolism and adipokine secretion.

The aim of the project is to characterize the impact of immunometabolism of AT on heart function. The PhD candidate will participate on proteomic and metabolomics analyses as well as analysis of adipose-derived extracellular vesicles. The project is enabled by close collaboration between Institute of Physiology and Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Prague generating biobank of samples of epicardial and subcutaneous AT, peripheral blood, heart and skeletal muscle collected from both heart failure and control subjects. The results are expected to reveal potential therapeutic targets for patients with cardiac cachexia and ventricle fibrillations.

Reference:

Janovská P. et al.: Dysregulation of epicardial adipose tissue in cachexia due to heart failure: the role of natriuretic peptides and cardiolipin, Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle. 2020, 11(6); 1614-1627

Supervisor (email):  Petr Zouhar, Ph.D. (petr.zouhar@fgu.cas.cz)

Candidate’s profile (requirements): Outstanding self-motivated candidates with master's degree or equivalent in molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, medicine or related fields, or those expecting to obtain their degree this year. Candidates should be fluent in English. Experience with handling laboratory mice, in vitro cell cultures and/or molecular biology techniques are advantage.

Financial support: Regular stipend at university supplemented by a salary from the National Institute for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Research project (https://cardia.ikem.cz/en/home).