Marija Liutkute

EDUCATION

College / University

University of Edinburgh

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science (Honors)

Major Subjects

Molecular genetics, DNA repair and genome instability, gene expression, molecular microbiology, molecular cell biology, molecular biology of disease, the cell cycle.

Country

Lithuania

Lab Experience

Molecular biology techniques – PCR, qRT-PCR, bacterial cloning, replica plating, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, fluorescent in situ hybridization, tissue culture techniques, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy.

Projects / Research

01/2013 – 05/2013: Spatial organization of muscle-specific microRNA genes during myogenesis. Honors project, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
06/2012 – 07/2012: Development of functional markers for plant architecture genes. Research assistant, Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture, Plant Genetics and Physiology Department, Lithuania

Scholarships / Awards

2014 – 2015:

Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I am fascinated by the complex molecular interactions and processes inside eukaryotic cells that allow these cells to successfully exist at the levels of tissues and organs. Particularly I would like to understand more of the processes that govern gene expression and regulation, including epigenetic changes and how alterations in these molecular systems can cause diseases, such as cancer. My goal in this program is to further my understanding of these molecular processes in the cells, to better my practical laboratory skills, while also broadening my research experience.