Katharina Harms

EDUCATION

College / University

University of Lübeck

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Life Science

Country

Germany

Lab Experience

Standard laboratory procedures from biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology such as gel electrophoresis, ELISA, Western Blot, PCR, molecular cloning or the work with cell cultures

Projects / Research

2020: Bachelor Thesis “Influence of the microbial metabolite butyrate and adjuvants on IgM sialylation - Opportunities for new therapeutic approaches” – Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Marc Ehlers, Institute for Nutritional Medicine, University of Lübeck

Scholarships / Awards

2023 – 2024:

Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I have always had a great interest in infectious diseases and immunology. What I find most interesting is the complexity of the immune system, the many immune cells and proteins that each perform specific tasks and the complex communication among these. For my bachelor thesis I analyzed the effect of butyrate and various adjuvants on antibody glycosylation with the aim to manipulate the antibodies inflammatory properties. As I enjoyed the work on my thesis in the field of immunology, I am looking forward to expand my knowledge in this area. I also find the overlap between oncology and immunology especially interesting and look forward to further research in this field. In addition, I enjoyed learning about molecular pathways in the cell such as the cell cycle or apoptosis. Here, what impresses me, is the orderly sequence of reactions and the interplay of different molecules. I also find the question of what happens when this interplay is disrupted particularly interesting.