Dr. Magda Berkowska

RESEARCH

In my current research I combine my knowledge in B-cell biology, molecular biology and broad immunophenotyping to investigate immune responses to vaccination and natural infection with the ultimate goal to find novel correlates of protection and improve current vaccination strategies. At the moment the main research line evolves around the IMI2020 project PERISCOPE, which is devoted to investigating immune responses to Bordetella pertussis, the pathogen causing whooping cough. Furthermore, to broaden our research scope and to allow studies on primary immune responses, we work with the department of Infectious Diseases on immune responses to rabies vaccine and support RIVM (National Institute for Health and Environment) in their studies on evaluation of Human Papilloma Virus vaccines. In the future, we want to utilize obtained knowledge about immune response in healthy donors to study vulnerable groups such as elderly or immunocompromised patients.

CURRICULUM VITAE

I obtained my master’s degree in biotechnology, with the specialization in medical biotechnology, from Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland. After graduation, I started a PhD training in the department of Immunology at the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where I investigated development of an immunocompetent B-cell repertoire and formation of immunological memory. During my PhD studentship I also spent 6 months at the Department of Immunobiology at Yale University, USA, where I gained new skills in analyzing B-cell receptors and their reactivity on a single cell level. To pursue my scientific interests, in 2013 I joined Sanquin Research in Amsterdam to work on B-cells specific to Rhesus D in the context of maternal-fetal Rhesus D incompatibility. Finally, in 2016 I started as a senior researcher in the department of Immunology at the LUMC to apply my knowledge to study immune responses to vaccinations and natural infections.