DC9 – Anna Sofia Parianou
Biophysical and cellular characterization of PRR-WTA interactions
UNIVIE
Name of your main supervisor and affiliation:
Title: Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Name: Christoph
Surname: Rademacher
Short name of your main supervisor affiliation: UNIVIE
Name of your co-supervisor(s) and their affiliation
Title: Prof. PhD
Name: Nina
Surname: van Sorge
Short name of your co-supervisor affiliation: AMC
Starting date of your project: 15.04.2025
Could you give a few information about yourself and your scientific background, including previous studies and obtained degrees?
In 2016 I commenced my undergraduate studies in the Pharmacy Department of University of Patras, Greece, and I obtained my Master’s of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree in 2021. Subsequently, I was admitted to the MSc program “Drug Discovery and Development” offered by the Department, which I successfully completed in 2024.
Could you provide details about your scientific research, and previous projects, listing your key expertise and skills?
In my Bachelor’s and Master’s theses at the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Patras, I investigated the role of COUP-TF II in endothelial cell inflammatory and angiogenic responses, gaining expertise in techniques such as primary cell culture, plasmid and siRNA transfection, Western blotting, and qPCR. During my Erasmus+ internship at the University of Vienna, I contributed to an industry-partnered project on cell-type-specific delivery of lipid nanoparticles, where I further developed skills in flow cytometry, nanoparticle formulation, and quality control by DLS.
What was the motivation for joining the AUREUS project?
The opportunity to tackle the global challenge of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections and to engage in the interdisciplinary, collaborative environment of MSCA-DN projects motivated me to pursue this position.
What is the motivation and aim of your PhD project?
The aim of my project is to identify key C-type lectins that recognize S.aureus WTAs, define WTA structural features driving this recognition, and validate immune responses triggered by this interaction in murine and human models to guide next-generation immunotherapies.
Could you write a few sentences about yourself, your hobbies, interests?
I enjoy cinema and literature

