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PhD Programme in Biology

Available research topics:

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Effects of the ketogenic diet on nervous system development. The role of the gut microbiota

Supervisor: prof. dr hab. Zuzanna Setkowicz-Janeczko (zuzanna.setkowicz@uj.edu.pl)

Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research


Background information:

Up to 30% of clinical cases of epilepsy are drug-resistant. Among them, there are also women of reproductive age and sometimes even in the period of pregnancy. An alternative to pharmacological treatment may be a ketogenic diet (KD). KD is a special type of diet that mimics a fasting state where the source of energy are fats. Few studies describe its effects on pregnant women suffering from epilepsy or diabetes, ignoring possible long-term changes in their offspring. Our previous studies have shown that KD applied to pregnant females delays performance of most neurodevelopmental tests in pups born to these females. At the same time, we have found that switching KD by a standard diet immediately after birth may abolish these negative changes. It is known that the composition of the microbiome is important in maintaining the body homeostasis. In the newborn pups, the microbiome is passed down from the mother even before birth and then reinforced by the presence of the mother's microbiome during feeding period.

The main question to be addressed in the project:

  • How KD treatment of rat females during the period from the conception day to the end of lactation or only during pregnancy will affect the development of nervous system of their offspring?
  • Is it possible to eliminate the effects of KD used in pregnancy by normal diet introduced on the second day postpartum?
  • How does the gut microbiome change during development in the offspring of those mothers who were fed with KD during pregnancy or pregnancy and lactation.

Information on the methods/description of work:

To answer the questions we propose to examine brains of offsprings from females fed with KD or a standard diet during pregnancy or pregnancy and lactation period. The brains will be collected at 2, 6, 14, 30 or 60 days postpartum together with samples of gut microbiome. In addition, 30 and 60 day-old offspring of these females will be subjected to behavioral tests of memory and anxiety level to check whether any KD-caused deficits can be abolished after replacing KD with normal diet which, consequently, will modify the gut microbiome. In addition, ex vivo MRI imaging will be performed to reveal possible changes in the structure of the brain and its internal connections (tractography). Histological examinations of the brains will also be performed to assess changes in glial and neural components.

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

Knowledge of experimental methods that will be used in the project. The ability to animal care during procedures. The ability to perform statistical calculations for presenting results at conferences. Involvement in the preparation of a doctoral dissertation.

References:

[1] Eadie M.J. 2012. Shortcomings in the current treatment of epilepsy. Expert Rev Neurother. 12: 1419-27. doi: 10.1586/ern.12.129

[2] Kosiek et al. 2022. Ketogenic diet impairs neurological development of neonatal rats and affects biochemical composition of maternal brains: evidence of functional recovery in pups. Brain Struct Funct. 227: 1099-1113. doi: 10.1007/s00429-021-02450-1

[3] Włodarek et al. 2019. Role of Ketogenic Diets in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease). Nutrients. 11 :169. doi: 10.3390/nu11010169

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PhD Programme in Biology

Admission to the PhD Programme in Biology
in the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences
language of education: English

The PhD Programme in Biology is carried out in English, in a full-time, eight-semester system. 

This PhD programme covers courses representing various areas of biological sciences, including training in modern methodology and mastering skills useful in professional academic and non-academic careers. Choice of facultative classes and the possibility of gaining credits for courses offered outside of the University ensures flexibility and helps to adjust participation in courses to the individual research plan of the student. 

For everyone who will be accepted for the PhD programme in Biology, a scholarship is guaranteed.

PhD students are recruited for the specific research topics offered by the faculty members. We kindly ask you to follow the recruitment rules described in each competition. 

Each year, PhD students and their advisors/promotors write an individual research plan for a given year. Until the end of four semesters, students’ achievements are evaluated (mid-term evaluation) by the committee. 

Doctoral dissertations are prepared under the supervision of a scientific staff of the Faculty of Biology (members of the Institute of Botany, Institute of Environmental Sciences or Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research). PhD programme in Biology leads to the scientific Doctoral title in the discipline of biology. More information about the programme can be found here.

See also:

Faculty of Biology website.
A subpage dedicated to this education programme.

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How to apply?

  1. Check the admissions schedule.
  2. Read the rules and detailed conditions of admission.
  3. Collect the required documents.
  4. Apply in the Online Application System (IRK).
  5. Take the exam.
  6. Make an enrolment in the Doctoral School.

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Admission schedule

for PhD Programme in Biology education programme

1st round

  • 21. May 2024 – Opening of registration in IRK System
  • 23. June 2024 – Closing of registration in IRK System
  • 28. June- 4 lipca 2024 – Entrance exams
  • 4. July 2024 – Committee meeting 
  • 8. July 2024 – Announcement of results
  • 9-30. July 2024 – Enrollment to the Doctoral School*
  • 31. July 2024 – Enrolment in the Doctoral School from the reserve list*

*enrollment possible during working hours of Secretariats of the Education Programmes

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Admission limits

  • 1st round – 10 doctoral students

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Contact

Secretariat of the Education Programme

mgr inż. Anna Stec

tel.: (0048) 12 664 6752
e-mail: wb.doktoranci@uj.edu.pl

Head of the Education Programme

dr hab. Joanna Kapusta, prof. UJ

tel.: (0048) 12 664 5206
e-mail: joanna.kapusta@uj.edu.pl

 

 

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The information presented on this subpage applies to admission for the academic year 2024/25. Documents such as admission rules, list of required documents, education programme and others may change in the next admission. Most documents differ for each education programme. Always check the documents on the sub-page of the programme to which you are applying.