Julia Wiedemann

EDUCATION

College / University

Georg-August Universität Göttingen

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Medicine

Country

Germany

Lab Experience

Bacterial-, mammalian-, stem cell culture, transfection, immunofluorescence staining, molecular cloning, PCR, heat-shock transformation, (RT)-qPCR, RNA/DNA purification, cDNA synthesis, in vitro transcription, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, generation of Virus-like Particles (VLPs), generation of Pseudoparticles based on the VSV-system (VSVpp), transduction, luciferase-based assays, beta-galactosidase based syncytium assay, live cell imaging, confocal laser scanning microscopy and other real-time imaging technologies, preimplantation mouse embryo handling, microinjection, handling, preparation and oocyte isolation of jellyfish Clytia hemisphaerica + handling of polyps, basic handling of starfish Patiria miniata, dry lab: Basic programming in R, ChimeraX, image analysis in Fiji (ImageJ) and Imaris, Sequence Alignment and phylogenetic analysis, GraphPad Prism

Projects / Research

2024: Bachelor Thesis: “Importance of spike protein processing at the S1/S2 border for SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry” (Dr. Markus Hoffmann & Prof. Dr. Stefan Pöhlmann), Infection Biology Unit, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen
2023 – 2024: Student assistant in support of Yamini Vadapalli in the group “Cytoskeletal dynamics in oocytes” (Dr. Peter Lénárt), Max-Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen
2023: Internship: “Stem cell pluripotency – a microtubule cytoskeleton-regulated state” (Dr. Jennifer Zenker), Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Melbourne, Australia
2023: Internship “Functional characterization of adaptive NK cells in rhesus macaques” (Prof. Dr. Lutz Walter), Department of Primate Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen

Scholarships / Awards

2024 – 2025:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2023:	DAAD RISE scholarship

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I have a profound interest in the cellular and genetic mechanisms governing cell differentiation and pluripotency, as well as the potential to restore and replace the normal function of damaged tissues using stem cells. Stem cells offer the remarkable ability to develop into various cell types, making them invaluable for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, including the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate patient-specific cells for personalized therapy. Additionally, I am fascinated by the interactions between pathogens and host cells, including how pathogens invade cells, cause disease, and evade the host immune system. My goal is to study these interactions and pathways to identify novel pharmacological targets and gather comprehensive information about immune system strategies to eradicate infected cells. Understanding these mechanisms could significantly contribute to developing immunotherapies, such as harnessing the immune system to fight cancer.