- Your research focuses on The Role of the C. elegans RMI2 Ortholog in Meiosis. Please describe your research project in three sentences.
To partition chromosomes with high accuracy into the germ cells is very important for the health of the offspring and it happens during the specialised cell division of meiosis. A physical tether between a chromosome from mom or dad helps the proper segregation and it is a result of purposely-induced DNA damage and the repair of it. I am studying a component of a repair complex (the Bloom/ topoisomerase 3/ RMI1/2 complex), It is somewhat understood how RMI2 contributes to mitotic DNA repair, but we still lack insight how important it is for meiotic DNA repair.
- What are your concrete plans for the next months?
In the next months, I want to move forward with my research project and I am excited to engage in biochemical experiments with the RMI2 C. elegans ortholog. I am also looking forward to present my new findings at international conferences in my field.
- Finally, what do you like/value most about the University of Vienna? What is your favourite place at the University of Vienna?
I value the rich and diverse history of the University. We can learn so much from it. The main building of the University of Vienna on the Ringstrasse is my favorite place at the University. Its history and grand architecture are fascinating to me. I feel inspired every time I visit it and I am happy to be part of this academic community.
- About Maria Velkova
I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria where I got my first interest in science and particularly in Biology from my brilliant teachers. I went on to get a First Class Honours degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Dundee, Scotland as well as spending a year at the University of Alberta, Canada on an exchange program. In my third year at University of Dundee I won the great opportunity to participate in an exciting summer school where I did a three month lab internship working with recombinant proteins with Dr. Arno Alpi. Subsequently I completed my Master's thesis at Prof. Sonia Rocha's lab, working on human cell lines. All of these experiences led me to pursue a career in science and come to Vienna to join Prof. Verena Jantsch's lab initially as a technician and subsequently as a PhD student, working on meiosis in C. elegans. I am excited to develop further as a scientist at the University of Vienna.
