Sri Swasthikawati

RESEARCH

The goal of my PhD project is to study the biochemistry of the molecule C1q, the tissue distribution of C1q and the possibility to visualize the tissue localization of C1q in a non-invasive manner. In the project we will produce wild-type C1q as well as C1q with mutations that we generate using CRISPR-CAS9 technology. We will study the biochemical properties as well as the functional consequences of the variants. Using recently obtained new anti-C1q autoantibodies we will test the possibility to perform non-invasive imaging of C1q deposition. For this purpose cross-reactivity studies to C1q of other species will be performed as well as tracing experiments.

CURRICULUM VITAE

I completed my bachelor in Biology and master in Biotechnology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. After joining several biomedical research projects as research assistant at Universitas Gadjah Mada, I started my work as a junior researcher at National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia in 2019. At BRIN, I was involved in SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing for pandemic response (VENOMCoV) and vaccine development against HPV type 52. In 2021 I also had the opportunity to do a “Comprehensive Hands-on Training for Pilot Scale Vaccine Manufacturing” at Biotech Training Facility (BTF) Leiden. In February 2024, I started my PhD trajectory at the Complement and Antibodies group under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Leendert Trouw (Primary Thesis Advisor) and Dr. Karin Dijkman (Co-Thesis Advisor).