معرفی
Zuzanna Pakosz-Stepien serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate within the Department of Biosciences, conducting advanced research at the intersection of structural biology and protein engineering. Her work focuses on elucidating molecular mechanisms of protein complexes and designing functional biomolecular systems for nanotechnology applications.
Her core research domains include:
- Structural Biology: Detailed investigation of enzyme mechanisms, particularly DNA-processing enzymes like bacterial DNA gyrase, using structural and biochemical approaches
- Protein Engineering: Development of programmable protein-based nanomaterials with responsive properties, including pH-dependent assembly systems
- Molecular Nanotechnology: Creation of metal-coordinated protein cages for potential applications in drug delivery and biomaterials
Recent publications demonstrate a consistent trajectory in structural characterization and biomolecular design, with her 2024 PNAS paper revealing fundamental mechanisms of DNA gyrase and the 2025 Macromolecular Rapid Communications study showcasing innovative protein cage engineering. These works highlight her dual expertise in understanding natural protein systems and creating synthetic biological architectures through interdisciplinary methodologies.