News from our lab

2025.11.30.

We’re proud to share that three of our talented students represented the lab at this year’s National Scientific Student’s Associations Conference (TDK).

Petra Kovács presented her work on the lysosomal SNARE protein Vamp7, highlighting novel insights into lysosome maturation and fusions. Fanni Fürstenhoffer explored the role of Shot spectraplakin in the organization of Drosophila fat body cytoskeleton. Virág Balogh presented her ongoing work regarding possible new function of a HOPS tethering subcomplex.

All of our students earned the right to present their research at the National Conference! Additionally, Petra earned the special prize by the Hungarian Association of  Geneticist, while Virág was awarded 1rd place, in her respective section. We are incredibly proud of their achievements! 

Image: BTDK

2025.09.26

In our study we found that pre-fusion autophagosomes move towards the non-centrosomal microtubule organizing center (ncMTOC) in Drosophila fat cells, which requires a dynein-dynactin complex. This process is regulated by the small GTPases Rab7 and Rab39 together with their adaptors: Epg5 and ema, respectively. The dynein-dependent movement of vesicles toward the nucleus/ncMTOC is essential for efficient autophagosomal fusions with lysosomes and subsequent degradation. Remarkably, altering the balance of kinesin and dynein motors changes the direction of autophagosome movement, indicating a competitive relationship where normally dynein-mediated transport prevails. Since pre-fusion lysosomes were positioned similarly to autophagosomes, it indicates that pre-fusion autophagosomes and lysosomes converge at the ncMTOC, which increases the efficiency of vesicle fusions. For more check out our paper: Here at eLife

2025.06.06

In our study we found that without Syx17, autophagosomes and lysosomes form unusually stable clusters in a HOPS-dependent manner—what we term a “tethering lock.” These locked clusters trap HOPS, autophagosomes, and lysosomes together, blocking not only their fusion but also subsequent vesicle trafficking events like endosomal progression and autophagosome secretion. When we inhibited autophagosome formation or removed the HOPS adaptor Plekhm1, the tethering lock was released—HOPS and lysosomes were freed and functionality restored. Thus, the absence of Syx17 triggers a dominant defect that extends far beyond its canonical role in autophagosome-lysosome fusion.We believe this “tethering lock” concept could apply more broadly to other SNARE–tether systems and caution against over‑interpretation of simple fusion phenotypes. Check out our new paper at Science Advances !

2025.04.17.

We’re proud to share that three of our talented students represented the lab at this year’s National Scientific Student’s Associations Conference (OTDK).

Fanni Früstenhoffer presented her work on the role of non-centrosomal microtubule-organizing centers (ncMTOCs) in autophagy, highlighting novel insights into cytoskeletal regulation during vesicle trafficking. Virág Balogh explored the interplay between the PI3K(III) complex and the molecular chaperone Hsc70-4 in Drosophila nephrocytes. Veronika Csefkó-Kis presented her ongoing work characterizing PXo bodies in the endolysosomal system of Drosophila, advancing our understanding of these elusive vesicular structures.

We’re especially happy to announce that Virág and Veronika were awarded 3rd place in their respective sections—an outstanding achievement in a highly competitive field. Congratulations to all three for their dedication, creativity, and excellent presentations!

Photo: SZTK - TTIK

2025.03.30.

Our lab had the pleasure of attending this year’s HunLife Science Conference, a truly well-organized and intellectually energizing event. The conference offered an excellent opportunity to share our latest findings, connect with fellow researchers, and draw fresh inspiration from cutting-edge work across the field.

We were proud to contribute to the program with three oral presentations, covering diverse aspects of membrane dynamics, cytoskeletal organization, and vesicle trafficking in Drosophila. Talks by Péter, Attila, and Dávid sparked great discussions, and it was a real pleasure to see our ideas resonate with the broader community.

Anikó Nagy also presented a poster that drew considerable attention and led to some lively conversations during the poster session.

Beyond the science, it was also a valuable moment to reflect on how far our projects have come—and where they might go next.

Photo: Diamond Congress

2024.11.30.

This year, three students from our group presented their research at the Scientific Students' Associations Conference of ELTE.

Virág Balogh's research focused on deepening our understanding of the connection between microautophagy and the Hsc70-4 protein. Veronika Csefkó-Kis explored the newly described phosphate-storing organelles, the PXo-bodies, while Fanni Fürstenhoffer detailed how the non-centrosomal MTOC influences the process of macroautophagy.

All of our students earned the right to present their research at the National Conference! Additionally, Fanni was awarded second prize, while Veronika received the first prize in their division. We are incredibly proud of their achievements! 

Photo: Fanni Fürstenhoffer

2024.07.17.

Muna Adnan Idan Al-Lami has successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis regarding the selective autophagic degradation of Wolbachia pipientis in Drosophila melanogaster (check out the original publication: here). We wish Muna best of luck and lots of success in her postdoc career!

Photo: ELTE 

2024.06.31.

Four of our B.Sc. students (Fanni Fürstenhoffer, Veronika Csefkó-Kis, Virág Balogh, and Iván Bodor) and one M.Sc. student (Lilas Haji) graduated this semester with flying colors. We wish them good luck in the next chapter of their academic lives, whether they remain with our group or depart to gain new experiences!

Photo: ELTE 

2024.05.27.

Anikó Nagy has successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis titled "The role of the ecdysone receptor in the acidification of the salivary gland secretory granules of Drosophila melanogaster" (check out the original publication: here). Her presentation was outstanding and led to a thought-provoking and pleasant discussion among the participants. Congratulations to her!

Photo: ELTE 

2024.05.17.

In addition to being internationally embedded, our group has a strong national collaboration network. The Membrane Transport Conference in Sümeg serves as a platform to strengthen these connections and discuss novel ideas. Our PI presented some of our brand new hypotheses to our colleagues and gained valuable input from them. Many thanks to the organizers!

Photo: Remedicon

2024.05.02.

It is an integral part of every good research project to maintain connections with the wider field and contrast our ideas with our peers. To this end, Dávid Hargitai from our group participated in this year's Ubiquitin & Friends Symposium in Vienna. We learned a lot about new research directions and methods regarding targeted degradation, and also presented our novel ideas to the international community. Many thanks to the organizers!

Photo: Ubiquitin & Friends Symposium

2023.11.25.

This year, Iván Bodor from our group presented his research at the Scientific Student's Associations Conference of ELTE. His findings revolve around the dual function of the R-SNARE Ykt6 in endosomal transport. Iván received the special prize from UNICAM LLC for the best microscopy-based research and earned the right to present his research at the National Conference as well. We are really proud of his achievement!

Photo: ELTE BTDK

2023.11.24.

Congratulations to Dávid Hargitai from our group for receiving the prestigious Pro Scientia Prize! This esteemed award, the highest honor bestowed by the National Scientific Student's Associations, recognizes the exceptional quality of research conducted throughout his undergraduate and graduate years. Well done!

Photo: OTDT - Farkass Ábel

2023.09.15.

Our recent conference participation was a valuable experience where we showcased four posters and had an oral presentation, each representing different facets of our diverse research projects. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the conference organizers for facilitating this rewarding event. 

Photo: BRC

2023.04.27.

Two of our students participated in this year's National Scientific Students’ Associations Conference in the Molecular- and Cell Biology I. Section. Villő Balázs won a Special Prize and Dávid Hargitai won the 1st Prize of the section.  Congrats to them!

Photo: ELTE

2022.11.01.

With the support from the Hungarian Academy of Science our research group was established and our research projects started. Many thanks to our funders!