On October 1, a new member of our Chaperon team started on a postdoc position. To introduce him briefly, we asked him a few questions. His name is Filip Ambrożkiewicz and his research is focused on colon cancer.
Filip, how did you learn about this position in the Chaperon project?
I learned about it at Reserchgate website. The advertisement for the position was among those recommended to me.
Why did you apply for this position?
I decided that it is time to acquire international experience, work with specialists, learn new techniques.
What is your scientific background?
I studied molecular biology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and finished it with master thesis entitled “Searching for microRNA genes and their transcripts in liverwort Pellia endiviifolia ssp. B using Genome Walking and 3’ RACE and 5’ RACE”.
During my Ph.D. studies I was working in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Oncology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education. I finished them with a public defence of the doctoral thesis entitled “Comparative analysis of genetic variation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Comparison between adults and children in Polish population”. My work focused on analysing genetic background and genetic variation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease among Polish population using GWAS methodology (genome wide association studies). I have participated in various projects like: exome sequencing from patients with IBD and celiac disease, genome wide association studies in autoimmune disease, such as primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and celiac disease. Moreover, I found my point of interests in microbiome studies, focusing on rifaximin treatment effects on microbiome and metabolome changes in patients with an irritable bowel syndrome, effects of Saccharomyces Boulardii and mode of delivery on gut microbiome development in pre-term infants, and changes in microbiome composition in mouse feed with high fat diet supplemented with a stool from the lean mice. Since December 2017, I have been working at the Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, firstly as Research Assistant and since March 2019 as Assistant Professor.
My main responsibilities were connected with performing experiments in the next generation sequencing laboratory mainly 16S rDNA metagenomics, RNAseq, miRNA sequencing and whole-genome sequencing. Moreover, I was also engaged in the Institute’s metabolomics laboratory, where I was responsible for creating new protocols and validating them, performing experiments, data interpretation and statistical analysis.
What research questions do you want to focus on?
My main interests are gastrointestinal tract diseases with focus on colorectal cancer and Crohn disease. During my stay in Pilsen I would like to focus on detecting genetic changes which are taking place during colon cancer progression, and try to answer the question if we can use them as therapeutic targets.
What are your interests/hobbies?
My interests are connected to my work, focusing on microbiome and metabolome changes as they emerged as new and important levels of regulation during cancer pathogenesis and progression. Besides work oriented interests, I like to paint with watercolors in my free time, read a good book (Sci-Fi oriented) and travel.
What attracts you to the Czech Republic?
Interesting history, good beer, beautiful places to visit.
Have you ever been to Pilsen or Czech Republic before?
I have never been in Pilsen before, this is my first time. I have been in Czech Republic a couple of times but I was staying in Prague.
We wish Filip the best of luck in his research work. Enjoy your stay in Pilsen!