![David Petrik](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1168?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr David Petrik
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for David Petrik
Senior Lecturer
School of Biosciences
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 contribute to important brain functions, including learning and memory, mood regulation, and energy metabolism. I am interested in understanding the factors that regulate neural stem cells, as well as how these cells and their progeny influence brain function and behaviour.
In particular, my research investigates how an unhealthy (e.g., high-fat diet) and healthy (e.g., exercise) factors can affect neural stem cells and how changes in these cells may, in turn, influence feeding behaviour and the development of obesity. Through this work, I aim to better understand the mechanisms linking nutrition, brain function, and metabolic health.
Interested in joining my research group?
I enjoy supervising students, and research in my group is suitable for undergraduate, Master's, and PhD students. I am also happy to discuss fellowship opportunities with prospective postdoctoral researchers. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact me by email.
Publication
2026
- Jörgensen, S. K. et al., 2026. Effects of voluntary exercise, diet, and selenium on hypothalamic adult neurogenesis. Stem Cell Open 21 (7) 102953. (10.1016/j.stemcr.2026.102953)
2025
- Jorgensen, S. K. M. et al. 2025. Anti-obesity compounds, Semaglutide and LiPR, and PrRP do not change the proportion of human and mouse POMC+ neurons. PLoS ONE 20 (8) e0329268. (10.1371/journal.pone.0329268)
- Petrik, D. 2025. Neurogenic hypothesis of anti-obesity action: is it on the horizon?. Obesity and Endocrinology 1 (2) wjaf014. (10.1093/obendo/wjaf014)
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. et al. 2022. Singular adult neural stem cells do not exist. Cells 11 (4) 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) 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) 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 13 923. (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. et al., 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. et al. 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. et al. 2013. Early postnatal in vivo gliogenesis from nestin-lineage progenitors requires Cdk5. PLoS ONE 8 (8) 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. et al. 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. et al., 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. et al., 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. et al., 2026. Effects of voluntary exercise, diet, and selenium on hypothalamic adult neurogenesis. Stem Cell Open 21 (7) 102953. (10.1016/j.stemcr.2026.102953)
- Jorgensen, S. K. M. et al. 2025. Anti-obesity compounds, Semaglutide and LiPR, and PrRP do not change the proportion of human and mouse POMC+ neurons. PLoS ONE 20 (8) e0329268. (10.1371/journal.pone.0329268)
- Petrik, D. 2025. Neurogenic hypothesis of anti-obesity action: is it on the horizon?. Obesity and Endocrinology 1 (2) wjaf014. (10.1093/obendo/wjaf014)
- 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. et al. 2022. Singular adult neural stem cells do not exist. Cells 11 (4) 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) 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) 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 13 923. (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. et al., 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. et al. 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. et al. 2013. Early postnatal in vivo gliogenesis from nestin-lineage progenitors requires Cdk5. PLoS ONE 8 (8) 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. et al. 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. et al., 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. et al., 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 use a range of approaches to investigate genetic, epigenetic, pharmacological, and environmental factors that regulate neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain. Using immunohistochemistry, cell culture, and time-lapse imaging, we assess stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and the lineage potential of individual cell clones. We investigate the mechanisms regulating stem cell activity using calcium imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology, combined with single-cell RNA sequencing. Our goal is to identify new regulators of stem cell biology and understand how neural stem cells and their progeny influence brain and body functions.
Regulation of stem cells by diet and exercise
New neurons are generated in the adult brain from neural stem cells within specialized regions known as adult neurogenic niches. In the mammalian brain, the best-characterized niches are located in the hippocampus and the walls of the lateral ventricles, while a less well-understood niche is located in the hypothalamus.
The hippocampal niche generates new neurons that contribute to learning, memory, and mood regulation. Neural progenitors in the lateral ventricular niche generate immature neurons that migrate to the olfactory bulb, where they contribute to olfactory function. In the hypothalamic niche, specialized cells called tanycytes may serve as neural stem cells while also contributing to the regulation of metabolism, feeding behaviour, body weight, and ageing.
Our research aims to understand how diet and exercise influence the stem cell properties of tanycytes and to identify diet- and exercise-responsive genetic factors that regulate their function. Ultimately, we aim to identify genes and pathways that could be targeted in tanycytes and their progeny to better understand (and potentially prevent) diet-induced obesity.
Anti-obesity compounds
We investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of anti-obesity compounds and assess their effects on adult neurogenesis. Our aim is to determine whether adult neural stem cells and newborn neurons could serve as pharmacological targets for future preclinical therapies for obesity.
Teaching
- BI2331 'Physiology' (assessment lead)
- BI3355 'Advances in Physiology'
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BI3001 Biosciences Final Year Projects
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BI4001 Integrated Masters Projects
- BI9999 Professional Training Year
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in the Biomedicine Division within the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University. My original training was in ion channel biophysics and physiology; however, over the past two decades, my research has focused on neural stem cells in the brain.
Between 2000 and 2003, I completed my Master’s thesis at the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague, where I investigated the electrophysiological and morphological properties of reactive astrocytes in models of mechanical brain injury. To deepen my expertise in ion channel biophysics, I subsequently joined the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as a PhD student. In the laboratory of Dr Robert Brenner, I studied the effects of alternative splicing, phosphorylation and accessory subunits on the molecular kinetics of calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels, and their role in action potential waveform and firing in hippocampal granule cells.
During my postdoctoral career, I shifted my research focus towards adult neural stem cells and adult neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons are generated in the adult brain. In 2008, I joined the laboratory of Professor Amelia Eisch at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. There, I led a small-molecule screening project to characterise Isoxazole-9, a compound widely used to enhance adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. I also investigated the effects of epigenetic factors, including Brg1, and genetic factors, including Mef2 and Cdk5, on the biology of adult neural stem cells.
In 2013, I returned to Europe as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, joining the laboratory of Professor Magdalena Götz at the Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. There, I demonstrated that adult neural stem cells in the brain are mechanosensitive through the activity of the epithelial sodium channel. I also collaborated on projects investigating direct cell reprogramming and emerging single-cell sequencing technologies.
In September 2019, I joined Cardiff University as a Senior Lecturer. My current research focuses on adult neural stem cells in the hypothalamus and the role of metabolism and diet in regulating their stemness and biology.
Education
- 2008 — PhD in Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA. PhD thesis: The role of the β4 subunit in phosphorylation of calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels. Supervisor: Dr Robert Brenner.
- 2003 — Master’s degree in General Ingeneering, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. Master’s thesis: Electrophysiological and morphological properties of glial cells in different models of astrogliosis in brain and spinal cord tissues. Supervisor: Prof Eva Syková.
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)
- Endocrine Society (from 2025)
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
2025 Endo 2025, San Francisco, USA
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 DLA: Cardiff Academic Lead
- Research Excellence Framework (REF): evaluator for Biosciences
- AWARP: representative for Biosciences
- Journal reviewer (Stem Cell, Stem Cells, Neuron etc.)
- Reviewer grant (BBSRC, MRC, Swiss National Science Foundation etc.)
- Guest Editor (Cells)
Supervisions
A PhD research project on transcriptional regulation of neural stem cells available from October 25, 2025. Please, apply using this link:
Current students:
- Nathan Evans (PhD student 2025-2029)
Former students:
- Sara Jorgensen (PhD student 2020-2024)
- 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)
- May Surridge-Smith (Inegrated Masters student 2023-2024)
- William Hughes (Integrated Master student 2024-2025)
- Rachel Martin (Integrated Master student 2024-2025)
Current supervision
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