By Viktorija Lapinska

My name is Viktorija, I am 26 years old, and I have recently started my PhD project in the lab of Dr Emanuel Rognoni at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) which is funded by DEBRA UK.

 

Which aspect of EB are you most interested in?

I am most interested in understanding more about the cause of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) so we can develop more effective treatment options for people who are affected.

My work is on a protein called integrin αvβ6 (alpha V beta six) that helps cells stick together (cell adhesion) and changes the way they behave. It plays an important role in skin repair and is shown to be functioning inappropriately in wounds that are very slow to heal (chronic wounds). Our lab has found that integrin αvβ6 is found in greater amounts in junctional EB (JEB), one of the least common EB subtypes, that can lead to early mortality soon after birth. Using a combination of cells grown in the lab (cell culture) and other models for JEB, my PhD project explores if changing how integrin αvβ6 functions has the potential to improve the wound healing and skin health of EB patients.

Understanding how integrin αvβ6 affects cell adhesion, wound healing, and inflammation in JEB can provide valuable insights into EB symptoms. By focusing on this, I aim to contribute to the development of new treatment strategies that change integrin αvβ6 function, potentially improving the quality of life for those affected by JEB and other types of EB.

 

What difference will your work make to people living with EB?

Integrin αvβ6 has multiple roles in the symptoms of JEB because of its functions in cell adhesion, wound healing, inflammation (the immune system), and scarring . Understanding how it works and interacts with other proteins provides valuable insights into potential new therapeutic strategies, which could significantly improve the management and outcomes for people living with JEB. Ongoing research into therapies that could affect the function of integrin αvβ6 holds promise for future advancements in how EB is treated.

 

Who/what inspired you to work on EB?

When I started my Master’s program, I joined the lab of Dr Joanna Jacków at King’s College London, researching gene editing treatments for recessive (RDEB) and dominant dystrophic EB (DDEB). While my project was more focused on how best to grow cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), working in her lab was my first introduction to EB. A few months later, I was recommended an Instagram profile, featuring the life of a 16-year-old with a severe form of RDEB. Her posts included photos of her wounded skin alongside videos of her enjoying simple moments, like her last shopping trip. Despite being in tremendous pain and suffering from side effects of painkillers, she remained positive, hopeful, and strong.

Seeing her journey on Instagram profoundly impacted me. Although I had read about the symptoms and seen pictures of EB wounds, I had never fully comprehended the extensive impact this condition has on every aspect of life. Her story motivated me to delve deeper into skin research, with the hope of making a difference for everyone affected by this devastating condition.

 

What does the funding from DEBRA UK mean to you?

Funding from DEBRA UK means I can focus on conducting research that has the potential to significantly improve people's lives and expand our understanding of EB, without the added stress of financial burdens. This support allows me to dedicate my efforts entirely to making a meaningful impact.

 

What does a day in your life as an EB researcher look like?

A day in my life as an EB researcher is dynamic and busy, with each day bringing something new. My daily activities depend largely on the planned experiments, but one constant is performing cell culture work at least twice a week. Being early in my PhD journey, I dedicate a significant amount of time to reading up on my research topic and shadowing colleagues to learn different experimental techniques. Thankfully, responding to emails only takes up about 5% of my time, allowing me to focus on hands-on research and learning.

 

Who’s on your team and what do they do to support your EB research?

Our team of six in the Rognoni lab is composed of Postdocs, and PhD and MSc students at various stages of their careers. Some of their research is focusing on different skin conditions rather than exclusively on EB. This diversity allows us to learn from each other and gain new perspectives, which can inspire fresh thoughts and approaches for our EB research. Importantly, I have weekly meetings with my PhD supervisors to discuss the next steps and I regularly present my progress in group meetings to my colleagues, which is a great opportunity to troubleshoot experiments or brainstorm new ideas.

 

How do you relax when you’re not working on EB?

It took me some time to learn how to separate my research from my life outside the lab. Fortunately, I've met wonderful friends both in and outside of academia, and I spend a lot of my time socializing with them. When I'm not out and about, I enjoy reading. While thrillers are my favourite genre, I've recently started exploring classic literature. Currently, I'm on book two of War and Peace by Tolstoy.

What these words mean:

Cell culture = growing cells in the laboratory

Induced pluripotent stem cells = a type of cell that can turn into many different cell types

Inflammation = a process involving cells of the immune system changing their behaviour to protect the body from damage

Integrin αvβ6 = a protein that helps cells stick to each other and change their behaviour

PhD = The highest research qualification, Doctor of Philosophy, that involves training in the processes of effective research and reporting of findings

 

Full glossary of scientific terms