The subject of our research is the influence of genes polymorphisms encoding molecules that control immune responses to human reproductive failure as well as autoimmune, atopic and cancerous diseases.
We study the participation of KIR genes (cytotoxic cell receptors, killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors), the products of which inhibit or stimulate the functioning of the immune system cells: the so-called natural killer (NK) cells in the above-mentioned pathological states. There is also a subpopulation of T lymphocytes possessing on their surface KIR molecules which regulate their activity. Ligands (i.e. molecules capable of specific binding to the receptor) for KIR are molecules of the major histocompatibility complex, HLA (human leukocyte antigen), the so-called class I. HLA class I molecules bind the fragments (peptides) of proteins produced in the cell and present them to specialized CD8+ T lymphocytes which, upon recognition of foreign antigens, kill cancerous or virus-infected cells. HLA class I recognition by KIR receptors is also influenced by HLA-bound peptides. These peptides are processed in the cell by a number of proteins, incl. endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases (ERAPs), i.e. enzymes that cut off single amino acids from the amino end of the peptide.
Head: Izabela Nowak, PhD (associate professor IITD, (0000-0002-9127-1089)
A graduate of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław. She has been working in the Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Tissue Immunology since 1997. In 2009, she obtained a PhD degree in biological sciences. The title of the dissertation was: “Assessment of the association between KIR and HLA-C genes with susceptibility to spontaneous miscarriage”. She was awarded the postdoctoral degree (habilitation) in 2016 for the achievement entitled: “The role of KIR and HLA gene polymorphism in human reproduction and renal transplant rejection”.
Her scientific achievements include 48 scienific papers. Izabela Nowak participated in the implementation of 9 grant projects (KBN, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, NCN), including managing 3. She presented the results of her research at national and international scientific meetings (65 announcements, including 6 oral presentations).
The research work and publications resulted in 7 awards, including 3 for publications with the highest impact factor. She was also a laureate of the Polish Intelligent Development Award 2019 under the patronage of the President of the Patent Office of Poland in the category: Scientist of the Future. Izabela Nowak has been a member of the Polish Immunogenetic Society since 2017, and since December 2018 she has been the Chairperson of the Society’s Audit Committee.