partners
Who are we?
Semmelweis University has been ranked among the world’s top 250-300th higher education institutions in the latest World University Rankings 2024 by Times Higher Education. Impressively, the university also excels in anatomy and physiology, placing it among the top 150 institutions (100-150) in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
Within Semmelweis University, the tasks related to NeoVasculoStop are carried out by the Translational Retina Research Group established by Dr. Krisztián Kovács in the Institute of Translational Medicine (https://semmelweis.hu/transzlacios-medicina/) founded and directed by Professor Dr. Zoltán Benyó. Two further departments within the University are invited to contribute to the success of the NeoVasculoStop project: (i) the Department of Anatomy Histology and Embryology, where the Retina Laboratory lead by Dr. Arnold Szabó will assess the safety and toxicity of the compounds under development on post mortem human retinae, (ii) furthermore, the Second Department of Pathology will contribute to the histological processing of the relevant tissue samples relying on the expertise of Dr. András Budai.
The specific knowledge and skills brought by Semmelweis University’s renowned departments greatly contribute to the success of the NeoVasculoStop project.
As a key partner in the NeoVasculoStop project, Semmelweis University undertakes to examine the efficiency of the newly developed compounds in a cell based VEGFR2-reporter system that allows for the screening of a larger number of molecules. These efforts have already resulted in the selection of a lead (EYE1118) and a follow-up (EYE1090) molecule in the project from a larger set of molecules designed according to the NeoVasculoStop principle.
To use a more physiological assay that still has an acceptable throughput, Semmelweis relies on commercially available HRMEC (human retinal microvascular endothelial cells). The inhibition properties of the new NeoVasculoStop compounds on the migration of these cells is thoroughly tested. This kind of migration is important to initiate neovascularization (ie. the unwanted and pathogenic proliferation of the blood vessels) in the diseased eye, and the inhibition of this process by our new drug candidates is a prerequisite for the molecules to be an efficient remedy.
Furthermore, Semmelweis uses the same HRMEC cells in an in vitro angiogenesis assay (so called “tube formation assay”) where the cells spontaneously self-organize into a network that is highly reminescent of the pathological vasculature that develops in retinopathies. We test to what extent our new molecules can inhibit the tube formation on artificial extracellular matrices. EYE1090 and EYE1118 demonstrated an outstanding inhibitory activity in this assay that closely recapitulates the in vivo angiogenetic procedure.
Semmelweis University will also test the lead (EYE1118) and the follow up (EYE1090) molecule in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy, and in rats with intravitreally injected VEGF that directly triggers strong neovascularization in the eye. We hope and expect that these molecules will be able to strongly reduce or even eliminate ocular neovascularization in rodents. Last, but not least, it is also assigned to Semmelweis to test the safety and exclude any potential toxicity of the lead compound (EYE1118) on post mortem human retinal explant cultures.
We look forward to achieving groundbreaking results, advancing medical research and contribute to the development of a convenient drug that could help restore the vision of millions of people.
OUR TEAM
Our team is led by Dr. Krisztián Kovács, who established the Translational Retina Research Group in the Institute of Translational Medicine with precious support from the founder of the institute, Prof. Dr. Zoltán Benyó.
Krisztián has obtained his PhD in Switzerland (Université de Lausanne) and has worked among others in the industrial sector (including 3 years at Gedeon Richter Plc.) and at internationally recognized institutes (including 4 years at IST Austria).
Currently Krisztián leads the Translational Retina Research Group as a scientific advisor at Semmelweis University, and supervises all scientific activity at the Semmelweis University that is related to the development of NeoVasculoStop molecules.
When not at work Krisztián loves spending time with his family and playing the guitar (rock).
Dr. Ákos Lukáts – senior research fellow – has graduated from and obtained his PhD at the Semmelweis University. He has more than 20 years of experience in anatomy, and one of his key research areas is the anatomy of the eye, particularly the neuroretina. Moreover, he has been conducting experiments to uncover some physiological aspects of ocular diseases for more than 20 years.Within the Translational Retina Research Group, Ákos is responsible for testing EYE1090 and EYE1118 in rats. He will initiate neovascularization by intravitreally injecting VEGF, to assess the extent to which our new molecules exert a rescue effect. As a more physiological model, Ákos will trigger diabetes in rats by injecting streptozotocin in the animals, and assess whether EYE1090 and EYE1118 can prevent diabetic retinopathy.In his free time Ákos loves collecting stamps.
Balázs Besztercei – assistant research fellow – is a biologist with more than 10 years of experience in the field of molecular biology, biochemistry. His main qualities include patient, persistent work and problem-solving focus. His passion is optical microscopy and he has a particularly strong background in image analysis.
Within the Translational Retina Research Group, his main duties include carrying out migration and tube formation experiments using HRMEC, and providing advice for any task that includes confocal or light microscopy.
Outside of work Balázs enjoys spending time with his family and friends and loves swimming.
Alexandra Pál-Kajtár – research assistant – is a biotechnologist having graduated from the Szent István University (Budapest) and she has won the National Excellence Stipendium (“UNKP”) in 2017/2018. She is an expert in animal experiments, and has successfully obtained a license for animal experimentation from the Semmelweis University (SEMÁB license) in 2023.
Alexandra’s main tasks in the Translational Retina Research Group include preparing animal experiments, helping Dr. Ákos Lukáts’ work, and performing Evans Blue assay on rats to test retinal permeability.
Her hobbies include reading, drawing, embroidery, knitting and crocheting.
Réka Antal – PhD student – has earned a master’s degree in pharmaceutical biotechnology from the University of Debrecen and currently she is a second year PhD student at Semmelweis University’s Translational Retina Research Group. During the years she has spent in the academic field she has gained hands-on experience in R&D focusing on cell biology, molecular biology and microbiology.
Under a secrecy agreement but not payed from NeoVasculoStop, Réka performs experiments on VEGF2-HEK and HRMEC cells as a part of her PhD training.
In her free time, she likes visiting museums.
Attila Szappanos – MSc student – is a 5th year General Medicine student at Semmelweis University, and he joined the Translational Retina Research Group at the beginning of his 4th year. Before university he attended many biology and chemistry competitions, and his greatest accomplishment so far was that he won the 2019 International Chemistry Tournament team competition.
He is strongly interested in the cellular biology part of the project. Under a secrecy agreement but not payed from NeoVasculoStop, Attila performs experiments on VEGF2-HEK cells to study the properties of EYE1118.
In his free time Attila loves playing the guitar (metal).
Jázmin Fatter – MSc student – is a 3rd year Pharmacist student at Semmelweis University, and he joined the Translational Retina Research Group during the fall of 2023.
Jázmin is also interested in the cellular biology part of the project. Under a secrecy agreement but not payed from NeoVasculoStop, she performs experiments on VEGF2-HEK cells to study the properties of EYE1090.
Internal collaborations
In the framework of NeoVasculoStop, the Translational Retina Research Group is actively collaborating with two further departments of the University:
1. The Retina Laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology
2. The 2nd Institute of Pathology
These two further entities of the Semmelweis University strongly contribute to the success of the NeoVasculoStop project.