Membrane Nanotube Research Group

The group

Our group is working on a newly described family of cell extensions, the so-called membrane nanotubes. The diameter of these protrusions is in the range of a millionth of a millimeter, therefore modern microscopic techniques (laser scanning confocal microscope, TIRFM, SIM, STED) are used for their visualization. Based on previous observations, these projections can physically and directly connect distant cells which had not been in contact with each other before, allowing the cells to transmit different substances through the tubes, such as nucleic acids, proteins, cell organelles, pathogens (e.g., viruses /influenza, HIV, SARS-CoV-2/, bacteria) or resistance factors against chemotherapeutic agents. We are looking for the answer to what molecular processes control the formation of nanotubes, the transport processes that take place in them, and whether we may be able to influence the immune response, make it more efficient, or deliver drugs in a targeted way in the future with their help.

Main research areas and SRS topics

1. Superresolution microscopy applied for the discovery of intercellular communication
2. New direct communication pathways between cells. Study of membrane nanotubes by microscopy
3. Investigation of the cytoskeletal composition of membrane nanotubes and their role in transport processes

Methods and instruments

Microscopic techniques: superresolution microscopes, confocal microscope
Protein expression and purification: Bio-Rad BioLogic LP
Cell and tissue culture
Immunofluorescence

Participating researchers and students

Edina Szabó-Meleg, Dr. (senior lecturer, leader of the research group, MTMT)
Dániel Hanna, Dr. (PhD student)
Roland Hetényi, Dr. (PhD student)
Viktória Tárnai (PhD student)
Babirák Bernadett (TDK researcher)
Kiss Leonóra (TDK researcher)
Khan Adil (TDK researcher)
Pető Luca (TDK researcher)
Szász Fruzsina (TDK researcher)
Li Xiaomeiduo (TDK researcher)
Yiran Liu (TDK researcher)

Publications

The growth determinants of B cell tunneling nanotube
Lipid composition of B cell nanotubes  
Transport processes via B-cell nanotubes
Nanotubes in capsulotomy
The effect of TR100 anti-cancer compound on membrane nanotubes
Nanotubes in immune cells – in Hungarian, pp.6-37
Biomedical relevance of nanotubes – in Hungarian, p.25.