Laboratory of biophysics and p53 protein biology
Head: Joanna Zawacka-Pankau, PhD, docent
Contact: joanna.zawacka-pankau@wum.edu.pl; Joanna.zawacka-pankau@ki.se
https://twitter.com/DrZawackaPankau
About group leader
Dr Joanna Zawacka-Pankau was recruited to the Department of Biochemistry as Assistant Professor (senior) – senior researcher in 2021. She holds a joined position at the Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institute.
She completed her postdoctoral training in the field of p53 tumor biology and targeted therapies in the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institute (2005 – 2006).
In 2007, she was awarded Assistant Professor position at the University of Gdansk, and next in 2012 she was recruited to the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institute as Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator.
Research description
Our goal is to identify effective, specific, and selective treatments for solid and hematological cancers that can be rapidly translated into clinical practice.
Towards that goal, we use repurposed drugs shown to reactivate p53 protein family members, compounds reactivating mutant p53 and the standard of care as well as unique pre-clinical models which include primary human cancer cells and humanized mouse models.
Using interdisciplinary approach we strive to understand the mechanisms by which p53 exerts its tumor suppression function and affects longevity by applying cutting-edge biophysical, biochemical, bioinformatic and deep learning methods. We hope, in the future, this knowledge could be translated for improved cancer therapy and to modulate physiological aging in humans.
TEAM MEMBERS
Qurat Ul Ain Fateh, PhD, postdoctoral fellow
Bahareh Haeri, PhD student
Matilde Fregni, Erasmus student
Teaching portfolio
Problem-based learning tutor – Molecular Oncology
Lecturer - Medical Biochemistry
Course leader - Molecular diagnostics
Education
2005-2006 Postdoc (2 years), Karolinska Institute
2005 PhD in biochemistry, University of Gdansk
2001 MSc in biotechnology, University of Gdansk
Collaboration
Prof. Klas Wiman, Karolinska Institutet
Prof. Elsa Flores, Moffitt Cancer Center
Prof. Patrick Micke Uppsala University
Dr Pan Pantziarka Anticancer Fund
Dr Gauthier Bouche Anticancer Fund
Academic honours, awards and prizes
Cathrine Everts Forskningsstiftelse 2021;
Åke Wibergs stiftelse;
National Science Centre, Poland (research grant OPUS 20)
Publications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=zawacka-pankau