Dr Andras Lakatos University positionPrincipal Investigator, MRC Clinician Scientist, Neurologist Dr Andras Lakatos is pleased to consider applications from prospective PhD students. DepartmentsDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences InstitutesMRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Home pageResearch ThemesInterestsAndras’s MRC funded lab focuses on regulators of signaling/transcriptomic networks underlying astrocyte-neuron-synapse interactions in health and in disease. Our specific questions are what cues trigger or maintain the neuroprotective or detrimental transformation of astrocytes in response to traumatic injury or in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. We use cutting-edge mouse and human disease model systems with computational approaches to explore astrocyte-evoked effects on neuronal networks. A detailed understanding of these mechanisms may provide alternative neuroprotective therapeutic targets for a range of neurodegenerative disorders. We also run collaborative projects with groups in the MRC LMB, Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, EBI at Cambridge. We offer additional thesis projects through Cambridge Neuroscience, MRC DTP and the EBI-Cambridge Initiative.  Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions Click image to view full-size Research Focus
EquipmentCalcium imaging Cell culture ChIP Confocal microscopy Fluorescence microscopy Immunohistochemistry In vivo and ex vivo transgenic models PCR and in situ hybridisation Protein biochemistry / Proteomics RNAseq analysis Stem cell models Collaborators
Associated News ItemsKey publicationsGiandomenico SL, Mierau SB, Gibbons GM, Wenger LMD, Masullo L, Sit T, Sutcliffe M, Boulanger J, Tripodi M, Derivery E, Paulsen O, Lakatos A, Lancaster MA (2019), “Cerebral organoids at the air-liquid interface generate diverse nerve tracts with functional output” Nature neuroscience Tyzack GE, Hall CE, Sibley CR, Cymes T, Forostyak S, Carlino G, Meyer IF, Schiavo G, Zhang SC, Gibbons GM, Newcombe J, Patani R and Lakatos A (2017), “A neuroprotective astrocyte state is induced by neuronal signal EphB1 but fails in ALS models.” Nature commun 8:1164 Tyzack GE, Sitnikov S, Barson D, Adams-Carr KL, Lau NK, Kwok JC, Zhao C, Franklin RJ, Karadottir RT, Fawcett JW, Lakatos A (2014), “Astrocyte response to motor neuron injury promotes structural synaptic plasticity via STAT3-regulated TSP-1 expression” Nature commun 5:4294 Lakatos A, Smith PM, Barnett SC, Franklin RJ (2003), “Meningeal cells enhance limited CNS remyelination by transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells.” Brain 126(Pt 3):598-609 Details Lakatos A, Franklin RJ, Barnett SC (2000), “Olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells differ in their in vitro interactions with astrocytes.” Glia 32(3):214-25 Details Publications2021Escartin, C., Galea, E., Lakatos, A. et al. (2021), “Reactive astrocyte nomenclature, definitions, and future directions. ” Nature Neuroscience 24, 312–325 2019Giandomenico SL, Mierau SB, Gibbons GM, Wenger LMD, Masullo L, Sit T, Sutcliffe M, Boulanger J, Tripodi M, Derivery E, Paulsen O, Lakatos A, Lancaster MA (2019), “Cerebral organoids at the air-liquid interface generate diverse nerve tracts with functional output” Nature neuroscience 2018Kelley KW, Ben Haim L, Schirmer L, Tyzack GE, Tolman M, Miller JG, Tsai HH, Chang SM, Molofsky AV, Yang Y, Patani R, Lakatos A, Ullian EM, Rowitch DH. (2018), “Kir4.1-Dependent Astrocyte-Fast Motor Neuron Interactions Are Required for Peak Strength.” Neuron S0896-6273(18)30187-9 2017Hall CE, Yao Z, Choi M, Tyzack GE, Serio A, Luisier R, Harley J, Preza E, Arber C, Crisp SJ, Watson PMD, Kullmann DM, Abramov AY, Wray S, Burley R, Loh SHY, Martins LM, Stevens MM, Luscombe NM, Sibley CR, Lakatos A, Ule J, Gandhi S, Patani R. (2017), “Progressive Motor Neuron Pathology and the Role of Astrocytes in a Human Stem Cell Model of VCP-Related ALS.” Cell Reports 30;19(9):1739-1749 Lakatos A (2017), “State-of-the-art modelling of inflammatory astrocyte-synapse interactions in injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.” Neural Regeneration Research 12(1):75-76. Tyzack GE, Hall CE, Sibley CR, Cymes T, Forostyak S, Carlino G, Meyer IF, Schiavo G, Zhang SC, Gibbons GM, Newcombe J, Patani R and Lakatos A (2017), “A neuroprotective astrocyte state is induced by neuronal signal EphB1 but fails in ALS models.” Nature commun 8:1164 2016Tyzack G, Lakatos A, Patani R (2016), “Human Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes: Specification and Relevance for Neurological Disorders” Current Stem Cell Reports 1-12 2014Köves K, Kántor O, Lakatos A, Szabó E, Kirilly E, Heinzlmann A, Szabó F (2014), “Advent and recent advances in research on the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)” J Mol Neurosci. 54(3):494-511 Tyzack GE, Sitnikov S, Barson D, Adams-Carr KL, Lau NK, Kwok JC, Zhao C, Franklin RJ, Karadottir RT, Fawcett JW, Lakatos A (2014), “Astrocyte response to motor neuron injury promotes structural synaptic plasticity via STAT3-regulated TSP-1 expression” Nature commun 5:4294 2006Jeffery ND, Smith PM, Lakatos A, Ibanez C, Ito D, Franklin RJ (2006), “Clinical canine spinal cord injury provides an opportunity to examine the issues in translating laboratory techniques into practical therapy.” Spinal Cord 44(10):584-93 Details 2005Jeffery ND, Lakatos A, Franklin RJ (2005), “Autologous olfactory glial cell transplantation is reliable and safe in naturally occurring canine spinal cord injury.” J Neurotrauma 22(11):1282-93 Details Skinner AP, Pachnicke S, Lakatos A, Franklin RJ, Jeffery ND (2005), “Nasal and frontal sinus mucosa of the adult dog contain numerous olfactory sensory neurons and ensheathing glia.” Res Vet Sci 78(1):9-15 Details 2004Dunning MD, Lakatos A, Loizou L, Kettunen M, ffrench-Constant C, Brindle KM, Franklin RJ (2004), “Superparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells can be traced in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging and retain functional properties after transplantation into the CNS.” J Neurosci 24(44):9799-810 Details 2003Lakatos A, Barnett SC, Franklin RJ (2003), “Olfactory ensheathing cells induce less host astrocyte response and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan expression than Schwann cells following transplantation into adult CNS white matter.” Exp Neurol 184(1):237-46 Details Lakatos A, Smith PM, Barnett SC, Franklin RJ (2003), “Meningeal cells enhance limited CNS remyelination by transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells.” Brain 126:598-609 Penderis J, Woodruff RH, Lakatos A, Li WW, Dunning MD, Zhao C, Marchionni M, Franklin RJ (2003), “Increasing local levels of neuregulin (glial growth factor-2) by direct infusion into areas of demyelination does not alter remyelination in the rat CNS.” Eur J Neurosci 18(8):2253-64 Details 2002Lakatos A, Franklin RJ (2002), “Transplant mediated repair of the central nervous system: an imminent solution?” Curr Opin Neurol 15(6):701-5 Details Sim FJ, Zhao C, Li WW, Lakatos A, Franklin RJ (2002), “Expression of the POU-domain transcription factors SCIP/Oct-6 and Brn-2 is associated with Schwann cell but not oligodendrocyte remyelination of the CNS.” Mol Cell Neurosci 20(4):669-82 Details Smith PM, Lakatos A, Barnett SC, Jeffery ND, Franklin RJ (2002), “Cryopreserved cells isolated from the adult canine olfactory bulb are capable of extensive remyelination following transplantation into the adult rat CNS.” Exp Neurol 176(2):402-6 Details 2001Barnett SC, Thompson RJ, Lakatos A, Pitts J (2001), “Gap junctional communication and connexin expression in cultured olfactory ensheathing cells.” J Neurosci Res 65(6):520-8 Details 2000Lakatos A, Franklin RJ, Barnett SC (2000), “Olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells differ in their in vitro interactions with astrocytes.” Glia 32(3):214-25 1997Köves K, Lakatos A, Somogyvári-Vigh A, Fogel K, Kántor O, Gööz P, Jamali UK, Grandier-Vazeille X, Arimura A (1997), “Effect of the lack of light impulses on the hypothalamic PACAP and C-fos immunoreactivities in rats.” Neurobiology (Bp) 5(3):389-402 Details 1996Köves K, Molnár J, Kántor O, Görcs TJ, Lakatos A, Arimura A (1996), “New aspects of the neuroendocrine role of PACAP.” Ann N Y Acad Sci 805:648-54 Details |