Thesis subject

ROS signalling

Mitochondria are the main producers of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) under non-inflammatory conditions. For a long time ROS have been viewed as damaging and hence a cause for aging and disease. while this may be true in pathogenic conditions, in particular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) serves as a key signalling molecule under physiological conditions, with its levels being the result of the balance between production and scavenging by anti-oxidants enzymes. While this is clear, less is known on nutritional and physiological regulation of H2O2 production and on the effect of H2O2 signalling on potential target enzymes in key metabolic pathways.

Relevant questions: How does H2O2 affect target enzymes in key metabolic pathways and what are the metabolic implications? What is the effect of different nutritional and physiological conditions on H2O2 production and enzymatic scavenging?

Aim 1: Investigate the regulation of a potential target enzyme by ROS signalling. Perform a literature search and write a logically structured report, focusing mechanisms involved. Conclude and propose an experiment that brings this research on step further.

or

Aim2: Investigate the mechanisms that determine H2O2 levels (production and scavenging) and identify nutritional and physiological conditions that affect this (and thus affect H2O2 signalling). Perform a literature overview and write a logically structured report, focusing mechanisms involved. Conclude and propose an experiment that brings this research on step further.