Anna Jarząb, PhD

Anna Jarząb, PhD (Assistant Professor) – Group Leader

 

THE GROUP OF PROTEOMICS AND IMMUNOENZYMATIC ANALYSIS

Laboratory of Medical Microbiology

 

Dr hab. Anna Jarząb, PhD (Assistant Professor) – Group Leader

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr hab. Anna Jarzab completed her PhD at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Science in Wroclaw, Poland in 2014. Under her PhD she was working on the anti-Shigella vaccine development. Next, in 2015 she joined the group of Prof. Bernhard Kuster at the Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, where she was working on the acquired drug resistance in cancer and thermal proteome profiling by proteomics. Now she works at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Science in Wroclaw.  In her research work she utilizes biochemical, immunological and enzymatic techniques, aided by cell culture and proteomics approaches to work on two main topics:

  • Anti-bacterial vaccine development

The lab focuses on the development of subunit vaccines protecting against bacterial diseases. Past research during my PhD supervised by Prof. Danuta Witkowska allowed me for the identification of OmpC epitope, exposed one the Shigella surface. This fragment interacts very strongly with antibodies present in human blood and is an ideal antigen for immunization, inducing natural protection without the risk of autoimmunity. Currently we are developing vaccine prototype based on the immunogenic peptides representing the epitope sequence. Based on in vitro studies we are evaluating toxicity and safety of vaccine prototype. In addition, we are investigating the mechanism of action of a vaccine prototype using proteomics and in vitro cell line model stimulated with the vaccine. As a result of the project, we will obtain a vaccine prototype with its formulation in an adjuvant.

  • Meltome Atlas development

In recent years, I have become increasingly interested in the effects of heat on living organisms. As a trained microbiologist I am particularly interested if there is any connection between the effect of heat treatment (external hyperthermia) and fever, which leads to body temperature elevation in case of infection. In particular, our group wants to explore how temperature leads to bacterial protein denaturation and which of the proteins denature at first at the range of infectious fever. It is known that fever has an impact over diverse types of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Although many effects of fever over the human immune system is described elsewhere, the impact of heat release during fever on the bacterial cells has not been broadly investigated. Due to those reasons we want to determine the group of bacterial proteins, which denature in temperatures between 37-43 °C, the scope of fever and the temperature reached at inflammation site in humans. Our studies will allow to assess if pathogen growth inhibition might be affected by fever and lead to thermal denaturation of the bacterial proteins which are associated with replication, transcription or other processes responsible for bacteria surveillance. To understand the impact of heat treatment on bacterial cells we use mass spectrometry-based proteomics and TPP-R workflow. In addition, we are assessing the influence of heat-weakened bacteria on the development of immune response by measuring the response of human cells to the treatment with pre-heated bacteria.

 

DEGREES

11.12.2015 | Habilitation in Biological Sciences | Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland

09.2009-06.2014  | PhD in Biology (defended with distinction) | Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland

10.2004-07.2009: | Master in Biotechnology | Wroclaw University of Technology, Wroclaw, Poland

01.2014-12.2014 |R&D Project Manager| Higher School of Banking, Wroclaw, Poland; post-graduate degree

05.2013-07.2013 | Scholar | Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, USA; Scientific Research Commercialization and Team Leadership Program

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

03.2022 – present | Assistant Professor | Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Poland

09.2015-06.2022 | Postdoctoral Researcher | Technical University of Munich, Germany

06.2014-09.2015 | Biotechnologist | Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, Poland

06.2013- 07.2013 | Visiting Scholar | Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA

 

PUBLICATIONS

  • Kramarczyk K, Schmidt P, Krasna K, Jasińska W, Jarzab A*: The cycle of infectious fever – how it affects bacterial infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2026 Jul 22;16:1866500; IF = 5.5, MEiN = 100 pkt
  • Jarzab A*, Dąbrowska A, Naporowski P, Krasna K, Szmyt A, Świat M, Pawlik K, Witkowska D, Ziomek E, Gamian A: Shigella outer membrane protein OmpC is a protective antigen and vaccine candidate against bacterial dysentery, Sci Rep2024; 14, 25398; IF = 4.3, MNiSW = 140 pkt
  • Torlot L, Jarzab A, Albert J, Pók-Udvari A, Stahler A, Holch J, Peilstöcker D, Heinemann V, Kirchner T, Kumbrink J, Küster B, Jung A: Proteomics uncover EPHA2 as a potential novel therapeutic target in colorectal cancer cell lines with acquired cetuximab resistance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023 Feb;149(2):669-682; IF = 4.322, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Wojciechowska A, Bregier Jarzębowska R, Komarnicka UK, Kozieł S, Szuster Ciesielska A, Sztandera Tymoczek M, Jarząb A, Staszak Z, Witkowska D, Bojarska Junak A, Julia Jezierska: Isothiocyanate l-argininato copper(II) complexes – Solution structure, DNA interaction, anticancer and antimicrobial activity Chem Biol Interact. 2021 Oct 1;348:109636; IF = 5.168, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Selkrig J, Stanifer M, Mateus A, Mitosch K, Barrio-Hernandez I, Rettel M, Kim H, Voogdt CGP, Walch P, Kee C, Kurzawa N, Stein F, Potel C,Jarzab A, Kuster B, Bartenschlager R, Boulant S, Beltrao P, Typas A, Savitski MM: SARS-CoV-2 infection remodels the host protein thermal stability landscape. Mol Syst Biol.2021 Feb;17(2):e10188; IF = 13.068, MNiSW = 200 pkt
  • Jarzab A, Kurzawa N, Hopf T, Moerch M, Zecha J, Leijten N, Musiol E, Maschberger M, Stoehr G , Daly C, Samaras P, Mergner J, Spanier B, Angelov A, Werner T, Bantscheff M, Wilhelm M, Klingenspor M, Lemeer S, Liebl W, Hahne H, Savitski MM, Kuster B: Meltome Atlas – thermal proteome stability across the tree of life. Nature Methods 2020 May 17(5):495-503; IF = 28.547, MNiSW = 200 pkt
  • Wojciechowska A, Szuster-Ciesielska A, Sztandera M, Bregier-Jarzębowska R,Jarząb A, Rojek T, Komarnicka UK, Bojarska-Junak A, Jezierska J: L‐argininato copper(II) complexes in solution exert significant selective anticancer and antimicrobial activities. Organomet. Chem. 2020 Aug 34(8); IF = 4.105, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Samaras P, Schmidt T, Frejno M, Gessulat S, Reinecke M, Jarzab A, Zecha J, Mergner J, Giansanti P, Ehrlich HC, Aiche S, Rank J, Kienegger H, Krcmar H, Kuster B, Wilhelm M: ProteomicsDB: a multi-omicsand multi-organism resource for life science research. Nucleic Acids Res. 2019 Oct 30; IF = 11.501, MNiSW = 200 pkt
  • Rechenberger J, Samaras P, Jarzab A, Behr J, Frejno M, Djukovic A, Sanz J, González-Barberá EM, Salavert M, López-Hontangas JL, Xavier KB, Debrauwer L, Rolain JM, Sanz M, Garcia-Garcera M, Wilhelm M, Ubeda C, Kuster B. Challenges in Clinical Metaproteomics Highlighted by the Analysis of Acute Leukemia Patients with Gut Colonization by Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae. 2019 Jan 8;7(1):2; IF = 3.3, MNiSW = 20 pkt
  • Jarzab A, Witkowska D, Ziomek E, Setner B, Czajkowska A, Dorot M, Szewczuk Z, Gamian A: Cyclic OmpC peptidic epitope conjugated to tetanus toxoid as a potential vaccine candidate against shigellosis. Vaccine. 2018 Jul 25;36(31):4641-4649; IF = 3.269, MNiSW = 200 pkt
  • Frejno M, Zenezini Chiozzi R, Wilhelm M, Koch H, Zheng R, Klaeger S, Ruprecht B, Meng C, Kramer K, Jarzab A, Heinzlmeir S, Johnstone E, Domingo E, Kerr D, Jesinghaus M, Slotta-Huspenina J, Weichert W, Knapp S, Feller SM, Kuster B. Pharmacoproteomic haracterization of human colon and rectal cancer. Mol Syst Biol. 2017 Nov 3;13(11):951; IF = 8.500, MNiSW = 200 pkt
  • Grzymajlo K, Ugorski M, Suchanski J, Kedzierska AE, Kolenda R, Jarzab A, Biernatowska A, Schierack P: The Novel Type 1 Fimbriae FimH Receptor Calreticulin Plays a Role in Salmonella Host Specificity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2017 Jul 19;7:326; IF = 3.520, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Bawiec A, Paweska K, Jarzab A.: Changes in the microbial composition of municipal wastewater treated in biological processes. Journal of Ecological Engineering (2016) 17(3):41-46; IF =0.544, MNiSW = 70 pkt
  • Kałuża A, Jarzab A, Gamian A, Kratz EM, Zimmer M, Ferens-Sieczkowska M: Preliminary MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of seminal plasma N-glycome of infertile men. Carbohydr Res. 2016 Nov 29;435:19-25; IF = 2.251, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Olejnik B, Jarzab A, Kratz EM, Zimmer M, Gamian A, Ferens-Sieczkowska M: Terminal mannose residues in seminal plasma glycoproteins of infertile men. J Mol. Sci.; 2015 Jul 2;16(7):14933-50; IF = 3.257, MNiSW = 140 pkt
  • Wojciechowska A, Gągor A, Zierkiewicz W, Jarzab A, Dylong A, Zierkiewicz W: Metal-organic framework in L-argininato coper(II) ions polymer – structure, spectroscopic properties, theoretical studies and microbiological activity. RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 36295-36306, IF = 3.461, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Smolarek D, Hattab C, Buczkowska A, Kaczmarek R, Jarzab A, Cochet S, de Brevern AG, Lukasiewicz J, Jachymek W, Niedziela T, Grodecka M, Wasniowska K, Colin Aronovicz Y, Bertrand O, Czerwinski M: Studies of a murine monoclonal antibody directed against DARC: reappraisal of its specificity. PloS One, 2015;10(2):e0116472; IF = 3.057, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Jarzab A, Witkowska D, Ziomek E, Dąbrowska A, Szewczuk Z, Gamian A: Shigella flexneri 3a outer membrane protein C epitope recognized by human umbilical cord sera and associated with protective activity. PloS One, 2013; 8(8): e70539; IF = 3.534, MNiSW = 100 pkt
  • Jarzab A, Skowicki M, Witkowska D: Subunits vaccines – antigens, carriers, conjugation methods and the role of adjuvants. Hig. Med. Dosw. 2013; 67: 1128-1143; IF = 0.633, MNiSW = 40 pkt
  • Lis J, Jarzab A, Witkowska D: Molecular mimicry in the etiology of autoimmune diseases. Hig. Med. Dosw., 2012, 66, 505-524; IF = 0.552, MNiSW = 40 pkt
  • Jarzab A, Witkowska D, Szostko B, Hirnle L, Gamian A: Potential carrier or antigen for conjugate vaccine: OMP-38 from Flexneri 3a – isolation and purification strategies. Sepsis, 2011; 1(4):39-45, MNiSW = 40 pkt
  • Jarzab A, Górska-Frączek S, Rybka J, Witkowska D: Enterobacteriaceae infection – diagnosis, antibiotic resistance and prevention. Hig. Med. Dosw., 2011; 65, 55-72; IF = 0.654, MNiSW = 40 pkt
  • Górska S, Jarzab A, Gamian A: Probiotic bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract as a factor stimulating the immune system. Hig. Med. Dosw., 2009; 63, 653-667; IF = 0.511, MNiSW = 40 pkt

 

PATENTS

Patent application: WIPO ST 10/C PL451249, 20.02.2025: “Conjugate containing an antigenic peptide and its use in preventing bacterial infections caused by Shigella bacteria”

International patent: WO2014/073998A1, 15.05.2014; Polish patent: PL220297B1, 30.10.2015 and USA patent: US9890194B2, 13.02.2018 „Epitope and its use”

International patent: WO2016/012951A1, 28.01.2016 and Polish patent: PL235826B1, 02.11.2020 „Immunogenic conjugate and its use in the prophylaxis and treatment of infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae”

Polish patent: PL407772A1, 22.04.2014 „Crystalline form of the complex chloride trihydrate [copper (II)di (2-amino-5-guanidynopenthano) (4,4 ‘-dipirydyl)] and a method for its preparation”

Polish patent: PL227111B1, 31.10.2017„Crystalline form of the complex of [(2-amino-5-guanidynopenthane)di(thiocyanate)] copper (II) and method for producing it”

Polish patent: PL408663B1, 31.08.2015 „Crystalline form of the chloride trihydrate complex of [(2-amino-5-guanidyno-penthane)chloro(2,2’-dipyridyle) copper (II)] and method for producing it”

 

MEMBER OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

Member of the Polish Biochemistry Society, since 2026

Member of the Polish Proteomics Society and the EuPA European Proteomics Society, since 2024

Member of the Top500 Innovators Association, Warsaw, Poland, since 2013

Member of the Alexander von Humboldt Network, Bonn and the national division of AvH Association, Cracow, since 2015

Member of the Human Proteome Organization, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2017-20

Mentor (2023-2024) and the member ot the Executive Academic Council of the Program (2025-2026) in the „TopMinds” Program, an initiative of the Fulbright Foundation and the Top500 Innovators Association, Warsaw

Mentor in the “Girls for Science” Program, an initiative of the Perspectives (PL, Perspektywy), Warsaw, 2025

 

FUNDING

On-going grants:

01.10.2024- 01.10.2029: Research Grant from National Science Center (NCN) under Sonata Bis 13 Program (2023/50/E/NZ2/00420; 4 740 400 PLN, project PI): Bacterial Meltome Atlas and its use in the assessment of bacterial sensitivity to temperature in the context of infectious fever

1.07.2024- 30.06.2027: Research Group Linkage Program from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (55 000 EUR, project PI) Grant for research cooperation between Prof. Dr. Bernhard Küster (Lehrstuhl für Proteomik und Bioanalytik, Technische Universität München), dr Christina Ludwig (Bavarian Center for Mass Spectrometry, BayBio MS) and Dr. Anna Jarzab (Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences)

01.08.2023-01.08.2028: Research Grant from Medical Research Agency under Regional Centre for Digitalized Medicine Program (2023/ABM/02/00010, 29 501 115 PLN, proteomics research task PI): Specialized Oncology Center of Digitalized Medicine (OnkoSCMC)

Completed grants:

01.03.2023-30.06-2026: Research Grant from National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) under Leader XIII Program, (LIDER13/0093/2022; 1 500 000 PLN, project PI): Development of an innovative peptide vaccine protecting against bacterial dysentery

01.09.2023-01.09.2024: Research Grant from National Science Centre (NCN) under Miniatura 7 Program (2023/07/X/NZ5/00532; 50 000 PLN, project PI): Antitumor effect of hyperthermia and its potential association with infectious fever

01.04.2016-01.04.2018: Research Grant from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, (No: 1163264, 91 000 EUR, project PI): Acquired resistance in colorectal cancer cell line model using proteomics

01.10.2012- 30.09.2013: Research Grant from Human Capital Operational Program, Priority Personnel VIII Regional Economy, Measure 8.2 Transfer of Knowledge, Sub-measure 8.2.2 Regional Innovation Strategies under the Grant PLUS Program, (POKL.08.02.02-02-001/12, 50 000 PLN, project PI): Immunochemical characterization of the OMP-38 protein as a potential vaccine candidate

 

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

  • 25 Scientific Award For Women In Science of the Loreal-UNESCO, Warsaw, 2025
  • 24 Scientific Award of the Politics Journal, main laureate in the category of “exact sciences”, Warsaw, 2024
  • Ministry of Education and Science Scholarship for outstanding young researchers, Warsaw, 2023
  • 2-years Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship for Post-doctoral Researchers, Bonn, 2015
  • Fellow of CarlFriedrich von Siemens Foundation (04.2016-03.2018), Munich, 2015
  • 2nd Scientific award of Prof. E. Mikulaszek for Young Scientists for outstanding research on vaccine development – Polish Microbiologist Organization, Bydgoszcz, 2014
  • Top 500 Innovators – Science, Management, Commercialization, Polish Government fellowship Warsaw, 21st May, 2013
  • Lower Silesian Marshal Office fellowship for young scientists, Wroclaw, 22th October, 2012
  • Travel fellowship, European Biophysical Societies’ Association (EBSA), 13th December, 2011
  • Rector’s Award for the activities in academic year 2008/09, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wroclaw, 20th November, 2009 and 2008
  • Distinction of the master thesis: “Structural investigation of the exopolysaccharides from various species of Lactobacillus isolated from the human digestive track” at the masters students presentation, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, 15th June, 2009

 

 

PROJECT GROUP MEMBERS

PROJECTS PI:

Anna Jarząb, PhD (anna.jarzab@hirszfeld.pl)

 

TECHNICIANS:

Bernadeta Szostko (bernadeta.szostko@hirszfeld.pl)

 

PhD STUDENTS:

Karina Krasna (karina.krasna@hirszfeld.pl)

Kinga Kramarczyk (kinga.kramarczyk@hirszfeld.pl)

Piotr Schmidt (piotr.schmidt@hirszfeld.pl)

 

Former project members:

Weronika Jasińska, PhD (weronika.jasinska@hirszfeld.pl) – former post-doc in Sonata Bis 13 project

Eva Krzyżewska-Dudek, PhD (eva.krzyzewska@hirszfeld.pl) – former post-doc in Leader 13 project

Anna Chudzik, PhD (anna.chudzik@hirszfeld.pl) – former specialist in OncoSCMC project

Paulina Piwowarczyk (paulina.piwowarczyk@hirszfeld.pl) – former MSc student in Sonata Bis 13 project

 

Contact:

anna.jarzab@hirszfeld.pl

ORDID: 0000-0002-1059-9147

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna-Jarzab

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ynUzqxUAAAAJ&hl=pl

 

 

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