Research

Research Priorities: Paediatrics, neonatology, nephrology

Tivadar Tulassay is a medical expert. His research focuses on the post-natal adaptation and regulation of water and electrolytes, and on hypertension in children. The gynaecologist and paediatrician also investigates kidney development in premature babies.

Tivadar Tulassay was the first to link the cause of kidney failure in newborns to respiratory failure. In the 1980s he described the regulatory role of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the changes in the body’s intravascular space related to this, as well as in human ANP activity. In the late 1990s he focused on experiments with human red blood cells and their activity changes in transport proteins such as in the case of insulin-dependent diabetes or mucoviscidosis.

He and his team were able to show that the Na/K/ATPase (sodium-potassium-ATPase enzyme) activity varies according to the maturity of a newborn. This provided an explanation for digoxin sensitivity in premature babies. Digoxin is a substance used to treat heart muscle weakness. It indirectly influences the exchange of sodium and calcium ions, which then increases the heart muscle’s contraction strength. In further studies Tulassay showed that premature babies later suffer more often from chronic illnesses as young adults, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or osteoporosis.

In his current research he is investigating the negative effects of excessive salt consumption on children’s immune and cardiovascular systems, as the excess salt is stored in the body.

With his pioneering work in paediatrics, Tivadar Tulassay has developed numerous treatment options for hormonal and genetic dispositions, cardiovascular illnesses in premature babies with low birth weights, prenatal diabetes and fibrosis.

Werdegang

• since 2016 Head, Research Laboratory for Paediatrics and Nephrology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 2003-2012 Rector, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 1999 Founding Member, Research Laboratory for Paediatrics and Nephrology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 1995-2000 Deputy Rector and Clinical Rector, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 1992 Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 1989 Doctorate, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 1985-1986 Guest Fellow, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• 1985 Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
• 1983 Doctorate, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 1975 Doctor of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

Functions

• since 2011 President, Hungarian Academy of Paediatrics, Hungary
• 2011-2012 Co-President, Hungarian University Rector’s Council, Hungary
• 2009-2012 President, Hungarian Society of University Clinical Centers, Hungary
• 1999-2003 Member, Standing Committee of European Medical Research Council, European Science Foundation

Projects

• 2018 Member, Project “Cytokine production pattern of T lymphocytes in neonatal arterial ischemic stroke during the first month of life – a case study”, Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA), Hungary
• 2017 Coordinator, Project “Selective measurement of α smooth muscle actin: why β‑actin cannot be used as a housekeeping gene when tissue fibrosis occurs”, OTKA, Hungary
• 2011 Member, Project “Measurement of pulse wave velocity in children and young adults: a comparative study using three different devices”, OTKA, Hungary
• 2010 Member, Project “Decreased number of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in preeclampsia”, OTKA, Hungary
• 2005 Member, Project “Association of Genetic Polymorphisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Risk for Proliferative Retinopathy of Prematurity”, OTKA, Hungary

Honours and Memberships

• 2021 Schoepf-Merei Medal, Hungarian Paediatric Society, Hungary
• 2019 Antal Genersich Prize, Dr. Antal Genersich Foundation, Budapest, Hungary
• since 2016 Member, Academia Europaea
• 2013 University Award, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
• 2013 Pázmány Péter Catholic University Award, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
• 2012 Member, European Academy of Sciences and Art
• 2011 Korányi Sándor Prize, Hungarian Society for Nephrology, Hungary
• 2010 Prima Primissima Award, Prima Primissima Foundation, Budapest, Hungary
• 2009 Virginia Apgar Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, USA
• 2008 International Dennis Gabor Award, NOVOFER Foundation for Technical and Intellectual Creation, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary
• since 2007 Member, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
• since 2006 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
• 2006 Kerpel Fronius Award, Hungarian Paediatric Society, Hungary
• 2004 Honorary Member, Slovakian Paediatric Society, Slovakia
• 2003 Dr. György Szabó Fellowship, George Hemingway Foundation, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• 2002 Commander, L’Ordre de la Couronne, Belgium
• since 1994 Corresponding Member, Austrian Society of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Austria
• 1985 Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany