Research Assistant

Agnieszka Witek

Staff portrait

Bio

With a background in plant biochemistry and plant-microbe interactions, as well as a thorough knowledge of molecular biology techniques, I am currently involved in cloning and characterization the functional NB-LRR genes from various wild Solanum species.

During my PhD I conducted a biochemical and functional analysis of a potato endo-1,3-β-glucanase GLUB20-2, including kinetics parameters and substrate specificity. I have also studied, with the aid of transgenic plants, its potential involvement in pathogen resistance and cell wall remodelling. After receiving my PhD, I was engaged in studying certain aspects of vesicular transport in plants, and also worked as a lab support specialist.

My current responsibilities in the ‘potato group’ embrace mainly all aspects of the ‘wet lab’ work, including analysing plant populations for gene cloning and preparing material for high-throughput techniques.

Job history

  • 2015 -

    Research Assistant

    The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK
  • 2012 - 2014

    Scientific Support

    The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK
  • 2010 - 2011

    Lab support

    University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
  • 2009 - 2010

    Research Assistant

    Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Warsaw, Poland
  • 2001 - 2008

    PhD student

    Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Warsaw, Poland