ESR10: Kamila Król

In vivo anti-tumour safety and efficacy of NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approach in preclinical models


  • Scientific Background

Kamila was always excited with biology and science. That’s why she has decided to study biology on her Bachelor on Jagiellonian University. She was mainly focused on genetics and spermatogenesis of mice. She continued her science passion on her Masters in molecular biotechnology on Jagiellonian University. Meanwhile, she changed her field of studies to cell biology. Thanks to her supervisor she had a free hand with her research subject and ideas. That realized her that she want to work as an independent scientist. In 2019 she won a 10,000 PLN grant for student project (with her friend Maciej). The title of this project was: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes cytoskeletal rearrangements and augments invasive potential via Cx43/ROS dependent manner within human T98G glioblastoma multiforme cells in vitro. Results of this project were published- doi: 10.3390/ijms21103605. In 2019 she received a Chancellor’s scholarship for the best students. Since September 2020 she worked as a research trainee in Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation on Biolab program administrated by Fulbright Commission. She was a participant in Meng Zhao, PhD project connected with invariant NKT cells.


  • CAPSTONE project

The project will focus on understanding how modulation of antigen processing can be exploited to induce effective NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses. Specifically, ERAP1 will be genetically (CRISPR/Cas9) or pharmacologically inhibited in human leukaemia/lymphoma cells. ERAP1 inhibited cells will be evaluate for their ability to activate NK cells from healthy donors using functional assays. The most efficient tumor/NK cell combinations will be tested in vivo in NSG mice. This project will be carried out in the team led by Dr. Fruci in the Oncohaematology Research Centre of the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù (OPBG) in Rome, Italy. During my project, I will have the opportunity to collaborate with ESR9, which will study the function of ERAP aminopeptidases in the regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment.


  • Supervisory team

  • Contact

kamilajulia.krol[at]opbg.net


  • More on Kamila's project