CV
Research Area
Research Description
Selected Publications

neurophysiology, molecular biology, neuroanatomy

My research field is the neurobiology of invertebrates, especially the pulmonate snail, Helix pomatia, with particular attention to the aminergic and peptidergic modulation, including the functional morphology (studied at light microscopic level by using different histochemical methods) and electrophysiology (single- and two electrode voltage clamp) of the salivary gland of the snail, and the electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of nerve cells in the central nervous system. Currently, I have been examining the functional changes in the salivary gland of H. pomatia, evoked by nerve stimulation (presynaptic mechanism), and also the salivary up regulation mechanisms (postsynaptic mechanism), as well as voltage activated currents in the gland cells. Using histochemical and immunocytochemical methods, we also investigate the cellular basis of saliva production, determining the possible role of exocytosis and apoptosis, respectively, in this process.

Zs. Pirger, K. Elekes and T. Kiss (2004): Functional morphology of the salivary gland of the snail, Helix pomatia: A histochemical and immunocytochemical study – Acta Biologica Hungarica, vol. 55 (in press)

Zs. Pirger, H. Szappanos, M. Gönci (2003): Purinerg signaling mechanisms in cultured mouse skeletal muscle cells – Clinical Neuroscience vol. 56, No. 2

Zs. Pirger, K. Elekes and T. Kiss (2003): Morphological changes accompanying the saliva production in the salivary gland of the snail, Helix pomatia. Abstract of the 10th Symposium of the International Society for Invertebrate Neurobiology (ISIN), Tihany, Hungary

Z. Godó, Zs. Pirger (2001) Induction of glutation-S-transferase enzyme with psychoactive pharmacons, (poster presentation). XXXI. Membrane Transport Conference, Sümeg, Hungary.

Zs. Pirger, H. Szappanos, M. Gönci (2003) Purinerg signaling mechanisms in cultured mouse skeletal muscle cells, (poster presentation). 9th Conference of the Hungarian Neuroscience Society, Balatonfüred, Hungary

Zs. Pirger, K. Elekes and T. Kiss (2003) Morphological changes accompanying the saliva production in the salivary gland of the snail, Helix pomatia, (poster presentation). ISIN, Tihany, Hungary.

Zs. Pirger, K. Elekes and T. Kiss (2004) Aminergic and peptidergic regulation of the snail salivary gland: electrophysiology and immunocytochemistry, (poster presentation). IBRO International Workshop, Budapest, Hungary