Veronika Bilanovičová

The looped strive towards PIN1 characterization using cell biology and biochemical tools

Supervisor: Tomasz Nodzyński, PhD

Institution: CEITEC-MU and Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics

Field of Study: Genomics and Proteomics

About my project

In my group, we are focusing on auxin efflux carriers – PIN FORMED proteins, their intracellular trafficking, polar localization, mechanism of the transport itself. My task is to bring biochemical insight into PIN proteins – reveal their structure and connect our knowledge gained through cell biology with biochemical data and make a complex picture. Although the proposed project is completely independent from the rest of my group, it may evolve into the direction that I might need the expertise of my colleagues in different techniques.

Directional transport of plant hormone auxin, which is facilitated by PIN proteins, is crucial in many aspects of proper plant development. In my project I want to investigate structure-function connection within the hydrophilic loop of one of the PIN proteins - PIN1 and use this knowledge for better understanding of auxin transport but also for searching more precise small molecular inhibitors of plant growth.

Where I see myself in my career in 10 years

In 10 I would like to be back in Brno establishing my own research group.

What I like most about Brno

Brno is amazing because it is student-friendly city and offers many ways how to spend your precious free time :)