Ms Abigail Dalli, a doctoral student at Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, at the University of Malta, was recently awarded the PROM scholarship by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. This supported a scientific training visit to the Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry (IKiFP PAN). Within the laboratory of Prof. Tomasz Borowski, Ms Dalli acquired training and hands-on experience with molecular dynamics simulations. This involves complex computational tools that provide insight into biological systems at a molecular or atomic level which may go beyond experimental limitations.
The PhD project centres on Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a complex and highly regulated enzyme family involved in critical cellular functions. This project is conducted under the supervision of Prof. Thérèse Hunter and co-supervision of Prof. Godfrey Grech. Often referred to as a ‘tumour suppressor’, PP2A plays a major role in regulating cellular processes. Ms Dalli is studying the different forms of this protein and how they may disrupt normal cellular function in cancer cells.
By applying molecular dynamics techniques, the aim is to understand how different PP2A isoforms behave at the molecular level, and how variations in structure impact the biochemical and biophysical properties of the proteins and their function. This project is supported by the Europa Donna scholarship.
IKiFP PAN is part of the Polish Academy of Sciences and is well known for its work in computational chemistry and catalysis. Located in the historic city of Kraków, the institute is home to internationally recognised researchers investigating catalysis, molecular modelling, surface chemistry and biochemistry, and hosts visitors from across the globe. The research was powered by Poland’s CYFRONET supercomputer, one of the most advanced computing systems in the region, capable of simulating the movements and interactions of atoms and molecules over time. It allows researchers to visualise how proteins fold, interact, and respond to different conditions, offering a dynamic view of biological processes.
The PhD project centres on Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a complex and highly regulated enzyme family involved in critical cellular functions. This project is conducted under the supervision of Prof. Thérèse Hunter and co-supervision of Prof. Godfrey Grech. Often referred to as a ‘tumour suppressor’, PP2A plays a major role in regulating cellular processes. Ms Dalli is studying the different forms of this protein and how they may disrupt normal cellular function in cancer cells.
By applying molecular dynamics techniques, the aim is to understand how different PP2A isoforms behave at the molecular level, and how variations in structure impact the biochemical and biophysical properties of the proteins and their function. This project is supported by the Europa Donna scholarship.
