The first of the 2023 CIBM Breakfast and Science Seminar Series was held on January 31, 2023, featuring a presentation by Dr. Katarzyna Pierzchala entitled: Systemic and Central Nervous System Oxidative Stress interplay with inflammation in a rat model of Type C Hepatic Encephalopathy – brothers in arms?. Katarzyna is Research Staff Scientist and the Neurochemistry lab manager in the CIBM MRI EPFL Animal Imaging and Technology Section.
Systemic and Central Nervous System Oxidative Stress interplay with inflammation in a rat model of Type C Hepatic Encephalopathy – brothers in arms?
Katarzyna Pierzchala,
Research Staff Scientist, Neurochemistry Lab manager. CIBM MRI EPFL Animal Imaging and Technology Section.
Abstract: Oxidative stress is a natural phenomenon in the body. Under physiological conditions intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are normal components of signal transduction cascades, and their levels are maintained by a complex antioxidants systems participating in the in-vivo redox homeostasis. ROS are critical for hippocampal synaptic plasticity (learning and memory, including long-term potentiation (LTP)). Increased oxidative stress is present in several chronic diseases and interferes with phagocytic and nervous (neurodegeneration, aging/disease-related impairment, and long-term depression (LTD)) cell functions, causing an up-regulation of cytokines and inflammation. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) occurs in both acute liver failure (ALF) and chronic liver disease. Increased blood and brain ammonium has been considered as an important factor in pathogenesis of HE and has been associated with inflammation, neurotoxicity, and oxidative stress. The relationship between ROS and the pathophysiology of HE is still poorly understood. Therefore, sensing ROS production for a better understanding of the relationship between oxidative stress and functional outcome in HE pathophysiology is critical for determining the disease mechanisms, as well as to improve the management of patients.
About the Speaker: Katarzyna Pierzchala obtained her BSc degree (2003) and MSc degree (2005) from the Department of Physics, Division of Medical Physics and Division of Nuclear Physics and Its Applications, University of Silesia, Central Clinical Hospital, Medical Academy of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
In 2010 she obtained her PhD degree in physics (biomedical physics) “Oxidative Stress on Human Cells in the Presence of Nano-Sized Titanium Dioxide” at the Institute of Physics of Complex Matter, at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. She is currently responsible for the neurochemistry laboratory, the cells/tissue culturing laboratory and is the P1/P2 biological safety officer at the CIBM MRI EPFL Animal Imaging and Technology Section. She is involved in implementing new programs, methods, instrumentation, and procedures as well as ensures the regulatory compliance in data documentation.
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The monthly meet-up seminar series is a great environment to ask questions or to share insights on challenges and solutions. It’s also a good way to broaden and enrich professional networks.
Revisit past seminars and stay tuned for the exciting CIBM Breakfast and Science Seminar Series upcoming this year.