Mara Equisoain Redín
ESR Project 15
University of Udine, Department of Medicine, Udine, Italy
Molecular approach for mRNA profiling of antisense ONs in Huntington disease and cancer cellular models
Supervisor
Co-Supervisors
Prof. Annemieke Madder, University of Ghent (Academic)
Dr. Krzysztof Kucharczyk, BioVectis (Industrial)
Education
Mara Equisoain Redín obtained her double degree in Biology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Navarra (Spain).
During her undergraduate years, she did different internships. At Navarra Biomed Research Centre (Spain), she collaborated in the study of protein expression in neurodegenerative diseases, and at NASERTIC company (Spain) she performed molecular analysis in the animal and human field becoming familiar with DNA sequencing techniques.
In her Erasmus exchange year at the Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), she had the opportunity to do her Final Degree Thesis in the Department of Microbial Biotechnology. There, she studied the antimicrobial properties of surfaces coated with C-based nanoparticles.
Subsequently, she studied a Master´s Degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics at the Open University of Barcelona (Spain). As part of her Final Master’s Thesis, she investigated possible treatments against the SARS-CoV-2 virus by performing an in silico screening of a nutraceutical library by molecular docking.
Outside of the lab, Mara also ha a Master´s Degree in Biological Education from the European University of Madrid (Spain).
Project Description
The aim of this ESR PhD project will be mainly focused on the characterization of the biological effects of ONs using different cellular models. In particular, we plan to evaluate how antisense oligonucleotides affect gene expression by performing gene array and pathway analysis. During secondments in partner organizations the students will validate the pathways activated in response to ONs treatment and extend his/her knowledge on gene ontology analysis.
During secondments in partner organizations the students will extend his/her knowledge on the effect of ONs derivatization and modification on RNA transcription or translation.
Secondments
This project is carried out in strong collaboration with the following groups:
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Dr. Ling Peng, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France
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Dr. Krzysztof Kucharczyk, BioVectis, Wasrsaw, Poland
Project summary in 3 min
Host Laboratory
Research activities in the group of Dr. Vascotto are focused on the study of DNA repair mechanisms, mitochondrial RNA degradation processes, and the role of mitochondria in tumour progression and resistance. The laboratory has full access to laboratories for handling mammalian cell cultures and primary human cells under normal and hypoxic conditions; flow cytometry facility; microscopy facility equipped with state of the art microscopes for confocal and nanoscope analyses, and in vivo fluorescence microscopy; instruments for monitoring cell parameters (e.g. viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial respiration, and more).
Contact
mara.equisoainredin[at]uniud.it
University of Udine
Department of Medicine
P.le Massimiliano Kolbe, 4
33100, Udine
Italy