TRAINEE

Karolina Szczesna



PhD student
Dr.Manel Esteller Lab
Cancer epigenetics Group
Cancer epigenetics and biology program (PEBC)
Fundació Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)
Av. Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199-203
08907-L'Hospitalet del Llobregat (Barcelona), Spain
Email: kszczesna@idibell.cat

Project title
Chromatin diseases: from basic mechanisms to therapy, MeCP2 and Rett syndrome


Research Experience
X 2010; Marie Curie Initial Training Network DISCHROM - Early Stage Researcher scholarship in Dr.Manel Esteller Lab
II – IX 2009: AMC (Academic Medical Centre), Amsterdam, The Netherlands Project: "Biology of myeloid receptors"
X 2008-II 2009: Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Cientific de Barcelona, Spain, Project: "Nanoengineering of ion channels for optical control"
VI – VIII 2008: The DiaMonD (Diagnostics for Monitoring Disease) UREKA programme, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) at Dublin City University, Ireland Project: "Novel dyes for life cell imaging"
X 2007-VI 2008: Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland, Department of Biochemistry, Project: "Analysis of binding biologically active substances to SiC nanoparticle surface"


Education
2005-2010: Master of Science in Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland Studies on the role of CD97 receptor and its interaction with CD55 in granulocyte migration - master thesis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2007 - 2010: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland Applications of nanotechnology in biomedicine and innovative cosmetology - bachelor thesis

During my studies I became interested in the pathobiology and novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of chromatin diseases, in particular in characterization of protein-protein interactions and molecular mechanisms underlying cell differentiation. My education at the Jagiellonian University gave me broad theoretical background as well as practical skills in various experimental techniques used in biomedical sciences.The most extraordinary aspect of my studies at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, and the Faculty of Chemistry was the possibility to gain insight into real research conducted at the University. In order to improve my skills I carried out a few independent projects, which allowed me not only to become familiar with practical aspects of cell culture, enzymology and analysis of cell activation, but also to learn how design and plan experiments. To complete my education and broaden my knowledge, I undertook three international practical trainings. Each of my internships was a new and unique experience, and helped me establish myself as an independent researcher.