Defense of Patrícia Diogo

On 18th October, Ákos has participated as a member of the examination committee in the defense of the dissertation entitled “Cryopreservation of zebrafish germ cells: technological improvements and methodological standardization for gene banking and management” by Patrícia Diogo at the University of Algarve in Faro, Portugal. Patrícia was a PhD student of our friends Dr. Elsa Cabrita and Dr. Paulo Gavaia and a member of the Aquagroup at the same university and the Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR). She gave an excellend presentation of her results and convinced the committee of her profound knowledge in the area of her studies. Congratulations, Dr. Diogo!

Patrícia Diogo (center) with members of the committee (Dr. Paulo Gavaia, Ákos, Dr. Elsa Cabrita, Dr. Catarina Oliveira, Dr. Juan F. Asturiano and Dr. Sérgio Jesus) following the defense

New paper published in Scientifc Reports

A new paper with the first authorship of Zoran was published in Scientific Reports. Enjoy!

Zoran Marinović, Qian Li, Jelena Lujić, Yoshiko Iwasaki, Zsolt Csenki, Béla Urbányi, Goro Yoshizaki & Ákos Horváth: Preservation of zebrafish genetic resources through testis cryopreservation and spermatogonia transplantation. Scientific Reports volume 9, Article number: 13861 (2019)

Abstract

Zebrafish is one of the most commonly used model organisms in biomedical, developmental and genetic research. The production of several thousands of transgenic lines is leading to difficulties in maintaining valuable genetic resources as cryopreservation protocols for eggs and embryos are not yet developed. In this study, we utilized testis cryopreservation (through both slow-rate freezing and vitrification) and spermatogonia transplantation as effective methods for long-term storage and line reconstitution in zebrafish. During freezing, utilization of 1.3 M of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) displayed the highest spermatogonia viability (~60%), while sugar and protein supplementation had no effects. Needle-immersed vitrification also yielded high spermatogonia viability rates (~50%). Both optimal slow-rate freezing and vitrification protocols proved to be reproducible in six tested zebrafish lines after displaying viability rates of >50% in all lines. Both fresh and cryopreserved spermatogonia retained their ability to colonize the recipient gonads after intraperitoneal transplantation of vasa::egfp and actb:yfp spermatogonia into wild-type AB recipient larvae. Colonization rate was significantly higher in dnd-morpholino sterilized recipients than in non-sterilized recipients. Lastly, wild-type recipients produced donor-derived sperm and donor-derived offspring through natural spawning. The method demonstrated in this study can be used for long-term storage of valuable zebrafish genetic resources and for reconstitution of whole zebrafish lines which will greatly improve the current preservation practices.

Ákos promoted into professorship

By the Decree 351/2019. (VIII. 30.) of the President of the Republic of Hungary Ákos was appointed as a professor as of 1st September, 2019.

7th International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes

Ákos, Timi, Betti and Nevena have participated at the 7th International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes that was organized between 2-6th September in Rennes, France. As always, the workshop was a wonderful opportunity for scientist working on fish gametes to meet in person and share their newest results. Ákos, Timi and Nevena gave oral presentations durind the sessions while Betti presented a poster. We would like to thank the French colleagues for the wonderful experience and professional organization. Looking forward to seeing everyone in two years in Poland.

Oral presentations by the group:

Tímea Kollár, Bernadett Pataki, Gyöngyi Gazsi, Béla Urbányi, Ákos Horváth: Effect of age on the sensitivity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) sperm

Ákos Horváth, Zoran Marinović, György Hoitsy, Márton Hoitsy, Boglárka Hoitsy, Béla Urbányi, Jelena Lujić: Is the hybrid tiger trout a good recipient for the transplantation of early-stage germ cells?

Ilija Šćekić, Nevena Kitanović, Zoran Marinović, Tamás Müller, Béla Urbányi, Jelena Lujić, Ákos Horváth: Preservation of ovarian tissue in european eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Posters presented or co-authored by the group:

Roman Franěk, Taiju Saito, Tomáš Tichopád, Michaela Fučíková, Zoran Marinović, Jelena Lujić, Ákos Horváth, Vojtěch Kašpar, Martin Pšenička: Germ cell manipulation as a tool for common carp isogenic lines production and management.

Bernadett Pataki, Tímea Kollár, Zoran Marinović, Jelena Lujić, Gyöngyi Gazsi, Roberta Izabella Berta, Béla Urbányi, Ákos Horváth: Inheritance of sperm cryoresistance in zebrafish (Danio rerio)