Postdoctoral Scientist
Agnieszka Witek
Bio
Previously involved in cloning and characterization the functional NLR genes from various wild Solanum species, I am now leading the effort of deploying some of them as cisgenes in cultivated potato to achieve durable late blight and virus resistance. Our PotatoPlus project builds on the Precision Breeding Act and its journey to market is facilitated by a TSL venture, BioPotatoes.
My responsibilities embrace all aspects of the PotatoPlus project, from designing and cloning new iterations of the constructs, monitoring the transformation process and analysing genotype and phenotype of the transformants, to supervising field trials, selecting elite lines for further use and preparing submissions for regulatory approval.
I’m also passionate about outreach and science communication, as well as engaging with policymakers and the public on crop improvement using methods of modern biotechnology.
Job history
-
2015 - 2025
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
