![David Petrik](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1168?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr David Petrik
Senior Lecturer
School of Biosciences
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
My research focuses on adult neural stem cells and adult neurogenesis. Neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain have the capacity to generate new neurons, which are important for brain functions such as learning and memory, mood control, and body metabolism. I am interested in studying factors that regulate the stem cells and brain functions that are regulated by the stem cells and their cell progeny. I am particularly interested in determining how aberrant diet can influence the stem cells and how stem cells can regulate the food intake behaviour and development of obesity.
Interested in joining my research group?
I enjoy supervising students. Research in my group is suitable for undergraduate, Master's and PhD students. I am open to discussion about fellowship applications with postdoctoral candidates. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact me by email.
Publication
2024
- Jörgensen, S. K. M. et al. 2024. An analogue of the Prolactin Releasing Peptide reduces obesity and promotes adult neurogenesis. EMBO Reports 25(1), pp. 351-377. (10.1038/s44319-023-00016-2)
2022
- Petrik, D., Jorgensen, S., Eftychidis, V. and Siebzehnrubl, F. A. 2022. Singular adult neural stem cells do not exist. Cells 11(4), article number: 722. (10.3390/cells11040722)
2021
- Gupta, B. et al. 2021. The transcription factor ZEB1 regulates stem cell self-renewal and cell fate in the adult hippocampus. Cell Reports 36(8), article number: 109588. (10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109588)
- Kempf, J. et al. 2021. Heterogeneity of neurons reprogrammed from spinal cord astrocytes by the proneural factors Ascl1 and Neurogenin2. Cell Reports 36(3), article number: 109409. (10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109409)
2019
- Petrik, D. and Encinas, J. M. 2019. Perspective: Of mice and men - How widespreads adult neurogenesis?. Frontiers in Neuroscience 13, article number: 923. (10.3389/fnins.2019.00923)
2018
- Petrik, D. et al. 2018. Epithelial sodium channel regulates adult neural stem cell proliferation in a flow-dependent manner. Cell Stem Cell 22(6), pp. 865-878.e8. (10.1016/j.stem.2018.04.016)
2016
- Götz, M., Nakafuku, M. and Petrik, D. 2016. Neurogenesis in the developing and adult brain- similarities and key differences. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology 8(7), pp. a018853. (10.1101/cshperspect.a018853)
- Gascón, S. et al. 2016. Identification and successful negotiation of a metabolic checkpoint in direct neuronal reprogramming. Cell Stem Cell 18(3), pp. 396-409. (10.1016/j.stem.2015.12.003)
2015
- Latchney, S. E., Jiang, Y., Petrik, D. P., Eisch, A. J. and Hsieh, J. 2015. Inducible knockout of Mef2a, -c, and -d from nestin-expressing stem/progenitor cells and their progeny unexpectedly uncouples neurogenesis and dendritogenesis in vivo. FASEB Journal 29(12), pp. 5059-5071. (10.1096/fj.15-275651)
- Petrik, D., Latchney, S. E., Masiulis, I., Yun, S., Zhang, Z., Wu, J. I. and Eisch, A. J. 2015. Chromatin remodeling factor Brg1 supports the early maintenance and late responsiveness of nestin-lineage adult neural stem and progenitor cells. Stem Cells 33(12), pp. 3655-3665. (10.1002/stem.2215)
2014
- DeCarolis, N. A. et al. 2014. 56Fe particle exposure results in a long-lasting increase in a cellular index of genomic instability and transiently suppresses adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo. Life Sciences in Space Research 2, pp. 70-79. (10.1016/j.lssr.2014.06.004)
2013
- Ninkovic, J. et al. 2013. The BAF complex interacts with Pax6 in adult neural progenitors to establish a neurogenic cross-regulatory transcriptional network. Cell Stem Cell 13(4), pp. 403-418. (10.1016/j.stem.2013.07.002)
- Petrik, D., Yun, S., Latchney, S. E., Kamrudin, S., LeBlanc, J. A., Bibb, J. A. and Eisch, A. J. 2013. Early postnatal in vivo gliogenesis from nestin-lineage progenitors requires Cdk5. PLoS ONE 8(8), article number: e72819. (10.1371/journal.pone.0072819)
- DeCarolis, N. A. et al. 2013. In vivocontribution of nestin- and GLAST-lineage cells to adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Hippocampus 23(8), pp. 708-719. (10.1002/hipo.22130)
2012
- Eisch, A. J. and Petrik, D. 2012. Depression and Hippocampal Neurogenesis: A road to remission?. Science 338(6103), pp. 72-75. (10.1126/science.1222941)
- Petrik, D., Jiang, Y., Birnbaum, S. G., Powell, C. M., Kim, M., Hsieh, J. and Eisch, A. J. 2012. Functional and mechanistic exploration of an adult neurogenesis-promoting small molecule. FASEB Journal 26(8), pp. 3148-3162. (10.1096/fj.11-201426)
- Petrik, D., Lagace, D. C. and Eisch, A. J. 2012. The neurogenesis hypothesis of affective and anxiety disorders: Are we mistaking the scaffolding for the building?. Neuropharmacology 62(1), pp. 21-34. (10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.09.003)
2011
- Petrik, D., Wang, B. and Brenner, R. 2011. Modulation by the BK accessory β4 subunit of phosphorylation-dependent changes in excitability of dentate gyrus granule neurons. European Journal of Neuroscience 34(5), pp. 695-704. (10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07799.x)
2007
- Petrik, D. and Brenner, R. 2007. Regulation of STREX exon large conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels by the β4 accessory subunit. Neuroscience 149(4), pp. 789-803. (10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.07.066)
- Neprasova, H., Anderova, M., Petrik, D., Vargova, L., Kubinova, S., Chvatal, A. and Sykova, E. 2007. High extracellular K+ evokes changes in voltage-dependent K+ and Na+ currents and volume regulation in astrocytes. Pflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology 453(6), pp. 839-849. (10.1007/s00424-006-0151-9)
2004
- Anderova, M., Antonova, T., Petrik, D., Neprasová, H., Chvátal, A. and Syková, E. 2004. Voltage-dependent potassium currents in hypertrophied rat astrocytes after a cortical stab wound. Glia 48(4), pp. 311-326. (10.1002/glia.20076)
Articles
- Jörgensen, S. K. M. et al. 2024. An analogue of the Prolactin Releasing Peptide reduces obesity and promotes adult neurogenesis. EMBO Reports 25(1), pp. 351-377. (10.1038/s44319-023-00016-2)
- Petrik, D., Jorgensen, S., Eftychidis, V. and Siebzehnrubl, F. A. 2022. Singular adult neural stem cells do not exist. Cells 11(4), article number: 722. (10.3390/cells11040722)
- Gupta, B. et al. 2021. The transcription factor ZEB1 regulates stem cell self-renewal and cell fate in the adult hippocampus. Cell Reports 36(8), article number: 109588. (10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109588)
- Kempf, J. et al. 2021. Heterogeneity of neurons reprogrammed from spinal cord astrocytes by the proneural factors Ascl1 and Neurogenin2. Cell Reports 36(3), article number: 109409. (10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109409)
- Petrik, D. and Encinas, J. M. 2019. Perspective: Of mice and men - How widespreads adult neurogenesis?. Frontiers in Neuroscience 13, article number: 923. (10.3389/fnins.2019.00923)
- Petrik, D. et al. 2018. Epithelial sodium channel regulates adult neural stem cell proliferation in a flow-dependent manner. Cell Stem Cell 22(6), pp. 865-878.e8. (10.1016/j.stem.2018.04.016)
- Götz, M., Nakafuku, M. and Petrik, D. 2016. Neurogenesis in the developing and adult brain- similarities and key differences. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology 8(7), pp. a018853. (10.1101/cshperspect.a018853)
- Gascón, S. et al. 2016. Identification and successful negotiation of a metabolic checkpoint in direct neuronal reprogramming. Cell Stem Cell 18(3), pp. 396-409. (10.1016/j.stem.2015.12.003)
- Latchney, S. E., Jiang, Y., Petrik, D. P., Eisch, A. J. and Hsieh, J. 2015. Inducible knockout of Mef2a, -c, and -d from nestin-expressing stem/progenitor cells and their progeny unexpectedly uncouples neurogenesis and dendritogenesis in vivo. FASEB Journal 29(12), pp. 5059-5071. (10.1096/fj.15-275651)
- Petrik, D., Latchney, S. E., Masiulis, I., Yun, S., Zhang, Z., Wu, J. I. and Eisch, A. J. 2015. Chromatin remodeling factor Brg1 supports the early maintenance and late responsiveness of nestin-lineage adult neural stem and progenitor cells. Stem Cells 33(12), pp. 3655-3665. (10.1002/stem.2215)
- DeCarolis, N. A. et al. 2014. 56Fe particle exposure results in a long-lasting increase in a cellular index of genomic instability and transiently suppresses adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo. Life Sciences in Space Research 2, pp. 70-79. (10.1016/j.lssr.2014.06.004)
- Ninkovic, J. et al. 2013. The BAF complex interacts with Pax6 in adult neural progenitors to establish a neurogenic cross-regulatory transcriptional network. Cell Stem Cell 13(4), pp. 403-418. (10.1016/j.stem.2013.07.002)
- Petrik, D., Yun, S., Latchney, S. E., Kamrudin, S., LeBlanc, J. A., Bibb, J. A. and Eisch, A. J. 2013. Early postnatal in vivo gliogenesis from nestin-lineage progenitors requires Cdk5. PLoS ONE 8(8), article number: e72819. (10.1371/journal.pone.0072819)
- DeCarolis, N. A. et al. 2013. In vivocontribution of nestin- and GLAST-lineage cells to adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Hippocampus 23(8), pp. 708-719. (10.1002/hipo.22130)
- Eisch, A. J. and Petrik, D. 2012. Depression and Hippocampal Neurogenesis: A road to remission?. Science 338(6103), pp. 72-75. (10.1126/science.1222941)
- Petrik, D., Jiang, Y., Birnbaum, S. G., Powell, C. M., Kim, M., Hsieh, J. and Eisch, A. J. 2012. Functional and mechanistic exploration of an adult neurogenesis-promoting small molecule. FASEB Journal 26(8), pp. 3148-3162. (10.1096/fj.11-201426)
- Petrik, D., Lagace, D. C. and Eisch, A. J. 2012. The neurogenesis hypothesis of affective and anxiety disorders: Are we mistaking the scaffolding for the building?. Neuropharmacology 62(1), pp. 21-34. (10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.09.003)
- Petrik, D., Wang, B. and Brenner, R. 2011. Modulation by the BK accessory β4 subunit of phosphorylation-dependent changes in excitability of dentate gyrus granule neurons. European Journal of Neuroscience 34(5), pp. 695-704. (10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07799.x)
- Petrik, D. and Brenner, R. 2007. Regulation of STREX exon large conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels by the β4 accessory subunit. Neuroscience 149(4), pp. 789-803. (10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.07.066)
- Neprasova, H., Anderova, M., Petrik, D., Vargova, L., Kubinova, S., Chvatal, A. and Sykova, E. 2007. High extracellular K+ evokes changes in voltage-dependent K+ and Na+ currents and volume regulation in astrocytes. Pflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology 453(6), pp. 839-849. (10.1007/s00424-006-0151-9)
- Anderova, M., Antonova, T., Petrik, D., Neprasová, H., Chvátal, A. and Syková, E. 2004. Voltage-dependent potassium currents in hypertrophied rat astrocytes after a cortical stab wound. Glia 48(4), pp. 311-326. (10.1002/glia.20076)
Research
We utilize a wide range of techniques to study genetic, epigenetic, pharmacological and environmental factors that regulate neural stem cells in adult mammalian brain. Using immunohistochemistry, cell cultures and time-lapse imaging, we determine the proliferative and differentiation potential of stem cells and lineages of individual cell clones. We study mechanistic aspects of stem cell regulation by calcium imaging and by the patch-clamp electrophysiology in combination with the single-cell RNA sequencing. Our goal is to search for new factors that regulate stem cell biology and to understand how stem cells and their cell progeny influence brain and body functions.
Regulation of stem cells by diet
New neurons are generated in adult brain from neural stem cells in discrete regions called adult neurogenic niches by a process of adult neurogenesis. There are two well-established and one understudied neurogenic niche in the mammalian brain. The neurogenic niche of the hippocampus gives rise to new neurons that are critical for the declarative memory and mood control. In the walls of the lateral ventricle, there is a neurogenic niche that generates immature neurons, which migrate to the olfactory bulb to participate in olfactory function. The less explored niche is in the hypothalamus, in the walls of the third brain ventricle. Here, specialized cells called tanycytes serve in a dual role as the putative stem cells as well as the metabolic regulators to control the feeding behavior, body weight and aging. Our aim is to understand how diet influences the ability of tanycytes as the neural stem cells and to identify new diet-responsive genetic factors in tanycytes. The strategic goal is to discover specific genes that can be manipulated in tanycytes and their cell progeny to combat development of diet-induced obesity.
Anti-obesity compounds
We are interested in determining cellular and molecular mechanims of action of anti-obesity compounds. We investigate the neurogenic potential of previously established and novel anti-obesity compounds. Our goal is to use adult neurogenesis and newborn neurons as pharmacological target of pre-clinical anti-obesity therapies.
Teaching
- BI2331 'Physiology' - neuromuscular and autonomic nervous system
- BI3355 'Advances in Physiology' - renal physiology
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BI3001 Biosciences Final Year Projects
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BI4001 Integrated Masters Projects
Biography
I am a senior lecturer of the Biomedicine Division within the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University. My original training lies in ion channel biophysics and physiology, however, over the last decade I have been studying the neural stem cells in the brain.
Between 2000-2003, I conducted my diploma Master’s thesis at the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic in Prague, where I investigated the electrophysiological and morphological properties of reactive astrocytes in a model of mechanical brain injury. To deepen my understanding of ion channel biophysics, I enrolled as a PhD student at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, USA. In the laboratory of Dr. Robert Brenner, I studied the effects of alternative splicing, reverse phosphorylation and accessory subunits on molecular kinetics of calcium activated (BK) channels and their role in action potential waveform and firing in the granule cell neurons in the hippocampus.
During my post-doctoral career, I have focused on adult neural stem cells and adult neurogenesis, the process of generating new neurons in the adult brain. In 2008, I have joined the laboratory of Professor Amelia Eisch at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. I have led a research in small molecule screening to characterize one of the most used drugs to upregulate adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus called Isoxazole 9. Also, I have studied the effects of epigenetic (such as Brg1) and genetic (Mef2, Cdk5) factors on the biology of adult neural stem cells. In 2013, I relocated back to Europe as a Marie Curie Fellow of the European Research Council to the laboratory of Professor Magdalena Götz. At the Institute of Stem Cell Research of the Helmholtz Centrum Munich and at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, I completed the research arch of my career by showing that adult neural stem cells in the brain are mechano-sensitive thanks to the epithelial sodium channel. Also, I have collaborated on projects that involve so called direct cell reprogramming and new single-cell sequencing methods. In September 2019, I joined the Cardiff University as a senior lecturer. In my laboratory, I focus on the adult neural stem cells in hypothalamus and the role of metabolism and diet on their stemness and biology.
Education
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2008 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physiology: The University of Texas HSCSA, San Antonio, USA. Title of PhD Thesis: "The role of the β4 subunit in phosphorylation of calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels.” Supervisor: Dr. Robert Brenner.
- 2003 Bachelor and Master of Engineering (M. Eng./Ing.): Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. Title of Master Diploma Thesis: "Electrophysiological and morphological properties of glial cells in different models of astrogliosis in brain and spinal cord tissues.” Supervisor: Prof. Eva Sykova.
Honours and awards
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2014 – 2016 Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship
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2005, 2006 Vernon Bishop Award, UTHSCSA, Texas, USA
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2003 Award of the Foundation of Vaclav Havel, the President of the Czech Republic
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2003 Award for the best young scientists, Czech Physiol. Society of J.E. Purkinje
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2003 Annual Award for the best Czech university students, Hlavka Foundation
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2003 Travel Award, Fulbright Foundation
Professional memberships
- Society for Neuroscience (from 2004)
- British Neuroscience Association (from 2022)
Academic positions
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2019- Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK.
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2016-2019 Scientist, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany.
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2014-2016 Marie Curie Fellow, European Research Council, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Germany.
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2013-2014 Postdoctoral fellow, Lab of Prof. Magdalena Götz, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Germany.
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2008-2013 Postdoctoral fellow, Lab of Lab of Prof. Amelia Eisch, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Speaking engagements
2023 Adult Neurogenesis AbCam conference, Dresden, Germany
2023 Black Sea Neurogenesis conference, Albena, Bulgaria
2022 Cajal Institute for Neuroscience, Madrid, Spain
2021 Achucarro Institute for Neuroscience, Bilbao, Spain
2019 Keynote speaker at YSA symposium, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
2019 Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Prague, Czech Republic
2019 University of Leipzig, Germany
2019 Cardiff University, United Kingdom
2018 Achucarro Institute for Neuroscience, Bilbao, Spain
2018 Biological Institute, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
2018 University of Leeds, United Kingdom
2018 ABCAM Symposium on Adult Neurogenesis, Dresden, Germany
2016 WE Heraeus Seminar on Neuronal Mechanics, Bad Honnef, Germany
2016 EuroGenesis Meeting on Adult Neurogenesis, Bordeaux, France
2015 ABCAM Symposium on Adult Neurogenesis, Dresden, Germany
2015 Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Chicago, USA
2014 Keystone Symposium on Adult Neurogenesis, Stockholm, Sweden
2011 Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Washington, D.C., USA
Committees and reviewing
- GW4 MRC DTP Cardiff Academic Lead
- Journal reviewer (Stem Cell, Stem Cells, Neuron etc.)
- Reviewer grant (BBSRC, MRC, Swiss National Science Foundation etc.)
- Guest Editor (Cells)
Supervisions
- Sara Jorgensen (PhD student 2020-2024)
- May Surridge-Smith (Inegrated Masters student 2023-2024)
Former students:
- Sarah Robbins (MRes student 2020-2021)
- Alena Karnosova (Visiting PhD student 2021)
- Oliver Rowley (Integrated Masters student 2021-2022)
- Eleanor Lewis (MRes student 2022-2023)
- Aleksandra Hajdrych (Integrated Masters student 2022-2023)
Current supervision
Sara Jorgensen
Research student
Engagement
Wales Brain Bee - participating on the annual neuroscience activity of Cardiff School of Biosciences for high school students with interest in neurosciences.
Genomics after Dark - participating on the annual science outreach program in Cardiff:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/events/view/2775136-genomics-after-dark
Cardiff Science Festival - helping to organize the science outreach event in Cardiff:
https://www.cardiffsciencefestival.co.uk/
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Stem cells