Introducing Ann-Engelke Timm DC4
My PhD goals: Research project DC4 aims to create human colon-derived organoids with a specific set of pathogenic variants of the kidney tubulopathy, cystinosis (CTNS-variants), using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The cystinotic phenotype of the colon organoids will be characterized and the established cystinosis model will be used as an in-vitro drug screening platform.
My Background: I received my bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Ulm (Germany) and gained my first research experience in the group of Dr. Ion C. Cirstea, where I developed 2D cell models reflecting the pathology of the Costello syndrome. Later, I obtained my master’s degree at the Technical University of Munich (Germany) with a focus on genetics and biomedicine. During my master’s studies I spent one year at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg in the group of Prof. Dr. Rainer Pepperkok working in the field of engineered extracellular matrices and biomaterials.
My research interests: I am interested in dissecting the molecular mechanisms leading to genetic diseases like cystinosis and mimicking the disease in-vitro using advanced 2D and 3D cellular models. I am particularly fascinated by the potential to influence cellular fate with extracellular cues, such as drug candidates.
My hobbies: Outside of the lab, I like to spend my free time reading books, creating abstract art pieces and hiking.
Master thesis: Characterizing self-assembly of a cell-free in-vitro synthesized Extracellular matrix (CEM).
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly dynamic network of diverse macromolecules. Deregulated deposition of ECM proteins drives the progression of several diseases. Thus, there is a high demand for ECM model systems to dissect the role of the ECM proteins in disease pathogenesis. To address this challenge, the master’s thesis aimed to create a novel cell-free ECM model system. The innovative methodology of self-assembled structures was termed Cell-free in-vitro synthesised Extracellular Matrix (CEM). The findings demonstrated the formation of a multidimensional, intricate protein network with a heterogeneous protein composition. Furthermore, the results indicated that CEM promotes cell-substrate adhesion and cell-cell contact formation, thereby enhancing cell migration. Taken together, this work suggested that CEM is a suitable model system to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the reciprocal cell-matrix cross-talk and thus to identify novel therapeutic targets. This will further advance our understanding of the ECM remodelling in disease progression.