Nira Lauterkorn,PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Bracknell, Berkshire, UK
Summary
Postdoctoral Research Scientist with extensive laboratory experience in immunology, microbiology and the evaluation and interpretation of experimental data for scientific publications. Presently, I am engaged in the development of an in vitro organoid culture to investigate the progression of B and T cell differentiation in porcine lymph nodes after influenza vaccination. I am head-driven, solution-oriented, and self-motivated individual. In addition to working independently, I am capable of contributing to and collaborating with a team.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
The Pirbright Institute, UK
01.2023 - Current
- Development of in vitro organoid models to simulate the response of B cells and T helper cells to vaccination (against swine influenza) in pig lymph nodes
- Optimisation the microfluidics device to compare it with the current in-vitro system.
- The evaluation of B and T cell responses in organoid culture system following vaccination is conducted through the utilisation of advanced techniques, including full-spectrum flow cytometry (Cytek Aurora) confocal microscopy, ELISA, and ELISpot assay
- Comparative analysis of in-vitro and in-vivo reactivity to verify the accuracy of the in vitro system
- Comparison between the transwell culture system and the 96-well plate system for organoid culture.
- Retaining B cell phenotypes through the optimisation of an established in-vitro organoid culture system.
- Comparison of immune responses in an organoid culture system using fresh and frozen lymph node-derived cells
- Comparison of immune responses in organoid culture system in fresh versus frozen celles derived from lymph nodes
- Presentation of research findings in international conferences and other outreach activities
- Assisted with laboratory maintenance tasks such as ordering supplies and equipment calibration, health and safety audits ensuring smooth daily operations.
- Acquisition of laboratory equipment, such as the ELISPot reader
Postgraduate Researcher-PhD Student
University Of Surrey- In Collabration With French Agency For Food, Environmental And Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES)
10.2019 - 12.2022
- PhD thesis: Characterising the ferret as an experimental model of bovine tuberculosis
- Optimising immunological assays to assess immune response in ferrets and badgers.
- To achieve this objective: Cytokine response on different matrices and the severity of disease/disease progression determined using various methods such as ELISpot, ELISA, Real-time PCR, bacterial culture methods, cell culture methods
- Isolation of PBMCs, and re-stimulation of lymphocytes to evaluate the adaptive immunity following TB infection.
- Proficient in managing and manipulating pathogens such as M.tuberculosis and M. bovis in biosafety level 3 environment, including working within containment cabinets.
- Providing support for in-vivo animal experimental studies conducted for the projects
- Assisting in -vivo animal experimental studies for the projects
- Presenting scientific findings in meetings and conferences
- Preparation and scientific writing for publication
- Supervision of students and teaching
- Adherence to health & safety protocols while working at biosafety levels 2 and 3
- Collaboration work with other scientific partners in Spain and the USA
Research Scientist
Animal And Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
03.2014 - 10.2019
- Vaccine-efficacy study for badgers against Mycobacterium bovis
- Comparison and optimisation of new immunological techniques such as ELISA techniques, neat solution- Whatman protein saver cards
- Molecular detection and characterisation of Brucella spp as part OIE /FAO Reference Laboratory for brucellosis.
- DNA extraction from suspect clinical samples and Brucella cultures in order to support the application of techniques for the detection of Brucella specific DNA and molecular epidemiology
- (working in CL3)In addition to carry out molecular detection e.g. multiplex RT-PCR, 16S sequence typing for human as well as samples from animals, multilocus sequence typing, epidemiological assays such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and variable number tandem repeat assay (VNTR) Analysis, preparation and reporting results to
- originator and data entry into BioNumerics database
- Comparison and establishment of new molecular detection assays and contribution towards publications
- RT-qPCR for avian/swine influenza for surveillance as well as in an outbreak in the UK. For this purpose experienced in working at bio containment level 3 using class I and class III cabinets
Associate Practioner-part-time
NHS Royal Berkshire Trust- Lighthouse Laboratory, Bracknell, UK
01.2021 - 12.2022
- Conducting COVID-19 PCR testing using Thermo Fisher Amplitude Solution
- Record keeping and adherence to health & safety standards.
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Lower Saxony State's Office For Consumer Protection And Food Safety, Hanover, Germany
11.1998 - 02.2014
- Surveillance of various animal diseases such as BSE, Scrapie, leucosis, brucellosis, blue tongue, red nose diseases by means of serological assays e.g
- ELISA, complement fixation test, agar diffusion test, plaque reduction test, Immune-histochemical analyses, Western blotting, agglutination tests
- Record keeping for ISO 17025 and method development (SOP)
- Compile statistics for Ministry
- Validation of new ELISAs'
- Collaboration in different research projects e.g
- Echinococcus multilocularis '(fox tape worm), bovine virus diarrhoea
- Investigation of cause of death in wild animals, mainly foxes, badgers using histological, microbiological techniques
- Analyse heavy metals in foods by means of atom absorption spectrometer
- Measurement of gamma radioactivity(isotopes) on different foods.
Education
Ph.D. - Immunology/microbiology
University of Surrey
Guildford, United Kingdom 10.2019 - 10.2023
Master of Science - Microbiology
University of London, Birbeck
London, United Kingdom 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Bio-veterinary Science
University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover
Hanover, Germany 04.2001 -
Skills
German
Publication
Dielectric properties of human macrophages are altered by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Equally contributed to this manuscript as first author
References
- Dr. Suzie Hingley-Wilson at the University of Surrey, s.hingley-wilson@surrey.ac.uk
- Pedro Rossi, Imperial College London, p.rossi@imperial.ac.uk
- Dr. Sanderine Lesellier, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, sandrine.lesellier@anses.fr
Timeline
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
The Pirbright Institute, UK
01.2023 - Current
Associate Practioner-part-time
NHS Royal Berkshire Trust- Lighthouse Laboratory, Bracknell, UK
01.2021 - 12.2022
Ph.D. - Immunology/microbiology
University of Surrey
10.2019 - 10.2023
Postgraduate Researcher-PhD Student
University Of Surrey- In Collabration With French Agency For Food, Environmental And Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES)
10.2019 - 12.2022
Research Scientist
Animal And Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
03.2014 - 10.2019
Master of Science - Microbiology
University of London, Birbeck
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Bio-veterinary Science
University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover
04.2001 -
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Lower Saxony State's Office For Consumer Protection And Food Safety, Hanover, Germany
11.1998 - 02.2014
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