Supervisor: prof. dr hab. Elżbieta Kołaczkowska (ela.kolaczkowska@uj.edu.pl)

Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research

Background information:

Non-immune blood cells are hardly studied in the context of their immune-related functions but recently platelets and red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes) are more often acknowledged to be engaged in such activities. The project will focus on investigating erythrocyte-platelet-leukocyte interactions in situ in blood vessels of mice by application of intravital microscopy.

The main question to be addressed in the project:

What surface and/or secretory molecules are required for the above interactions, what is the outcome of such contacts, how can be manipulate them (pharmacologically or genetically) to impact the course of inflammation?

Information on the methods/description of work:

Intravital (in vivo) microscopy, confocal microscopy, large-scale studies on mouse models, Western blot, ELISA, immunocytochemistry, ex vivo cell culture (siRNA silencing, miRNA).

Additional information: (eg. Special requirements for the student)

experience in working with mice and confocal microscopy, ability to use the above mentioned methods, knowledge of English in speech and writing, openness to learning, teamwork skills.

Place/name of potential foreign collaborator:

Belgium, Canada

References:

[1] Kolaczkowska E, Jenne CN, Surewaard BG, Thanabalasuriar A, Lee WY, Sanz MJ, Mowen K, Opdenakker G, Kubes P. Molecular mechanisms of NET formation and degradation revealed by intravital imaging in the liver vasculature. Nat Commun. 2015;6:6673.

[2] Anderson HL, Brodsky IE, Mangalmurti NS. The Evolving Erythrocyte: Red Blood Cells as Modulators of Innate Immunity. J Immunol. 2018;201:1343.

[3] Ortmann W, Such A, Cichon I, Baj-Krzyworzeka M, Weglarczyk K, Kolaczkowska E. Large extracellular vesicle (EV) and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) interaction captured in vivo during systemic inflammation. Sci Rep 2024;14;4680