Joanna Szczepaniak

Graduates // Joanna Szczepaniak

Information:

MSc. Joanna Szczepaniak

room: 5

phone: 71 375 6426

mail: szczepaniak.jo@gmail.com

About:

 

Infections caused by opportunistic species Candida albicans are mainly superficial, though sometimes persistent candiasis of mucosal membranes, skin, nails and nailbeds. Growing and more serious problem are candidemias, commonly seen in patients with high immunodeficiency caused by extensive antibiotherapy, chemiotherapy, organ transplantations, implantations or immunosuppressive diseases such as diabetes, cancer or AIDS. Additionally gaining resistance to known antifungal agents by C. albicans and, increasingly, multidrug resistance (MDR) causes antifungal therapies to become more and more ineffective. One of often observed mechanism of such resistance is overexpression of efflux pumps, also known as MDR transporters, which actively transport xenobiotics out of the cells. In C. albicans three such pumps were identified: CDR1, CDR2 (Candida drug resistance 1 i 2), that belong to ABC transporters (ATP-binding cassettes) and use ATP hydrolysis to transport substances and MDR1 (Multidrug resistance 1) from MFS family (Major Facilitator Superfamily), which use energy generated by proton transportation across the membrane.

In my research I am studying effect of different chemical compound on activity of ABC transporters of C. albicans using fluorescent method. My goal is to find substance which could inhibit their action and possibly become more effective help with antifungal treatment.

Publications

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Joanna Szczepaniak

Anna Romanowicz
Robert Musioł
Anna Krasowska
Blocking and dislocation of Candida albicans Cdr1p transporter by styrylquinolines 2017 ReadExport
Joanna Szczepaniak
Marcin Łukaszewicz
Anna Krasowska
Detection of inhibitors of Candida albicans Cdr transporters using a diS-C3(3) fluorescence 2015 ReadExport
Joanna Szczepaniak
Marcin Łukaszewicz
Anna Krasowska
Estimation of Candida albicans ABC Transporter Behavior in Real-Time via Fluorescence 2015 ReadExport
Joanna Szczepaniak
Anna Krasowska
Marcin Łukaszewicz
Badanie mechanizmów lekooporności u Candida albicans 2013 Export
Jacek Łuczyński
Renata Frąckowiak
Joanna Szczepaniak
Anna Krasowska
Chemodegradable Gemini Alanine-based Cationic Surfactants: Synthesis and Antifungal Activity 2012 ReadExport
  • Biosurfactants

    We identified chemical structures of newly isolated biosurfactants which are secreted by Arctic microorganisms. We are investigating their antibacterial, antifungal properties as well as proapoptotic activity. Biosurfactants can be used as an antiseptics.

  • Biogas

    We are investigating and optimizing the efficiency of metanogenesis in bioreactors. We are also testing various substrates (industrial waste) as materials for biogas production. Microorganisms which participate in this process are investigated as e.g. biofilm producers.

  • Bacteriophages

    Bacteriophages or phages are bacterial viruses. We isolated and are now investigating phages which kill Bacillus strains. Beside the basic research, the collection of phages can be used in industry as for example eliminators of infections.

  • Antiseptics

    Fungal infections are difficult to treat because of the small number of effective drugs. Candida albicans resistance depends on the activity of ABC transporters (MDR, CDR). We have investigated strains and methods for finding new antifungal compounds (synthetic and natural) e.g. probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.