Agnieszka Chacinska

Short Biography

Professor Agnieszka Chacińska was appointed head of Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biogenesis in 2009. The laboratory was established in the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and currently operating in IMol PAS.  The group’s research explores novel and exciting links between protein transport mechanisms and mitochondrial protein homeostasis. They postulate the presence of unique mechanisms involved in protein biogenesis that involve crosstalk between the cytosol and mitochondrial compartments, with the overarching goal to better understand the complex and dynamic processes involved in the formation of functional organelles, as well as the maintenance of cellular protein homeostasis and its failures, which result in pathology.

Agnieszka Chacińska obtained her PhD in biochemistry at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, which was followed by a postdoctoral position at the University of Freiburg in Germany. She was awarded the title of Professor in 2014.

AMBER postdoctoral fellowship subject (first call)

Project 1: Mechanisms of protein transport into mitochondria

Mitochondria are important biochemical and metabolic hubs of the cell. To perform their function, mitochondria need more than a thousand of proteins. Nearly all of them are synthesized in the cytosol and must be imported into a proper destination inside these organelles. Thus, understanding the mechanisms and accuracy of protein transport is critical, as well as identifying the molecular basis of multiple pathologies derived from mitochondrial malfunction. The project aims to dissect the mechanisms of protein transport into and across the inner mitochondrial membrane governed by the complex protein translocase called TIM23. The progress achieved up to date in this area has defined an exciting framework for further studies leaving, however, many important questions unanswered. The project is planned to accommodate a portfolio of biochemical, cell biology and molecular biology methods complementing advanced structural biology and theoretical prediction approaches. The combination of technologies and expertise will allow to dissect the key mechanistic determinants and players, as well as their dynamics underlying the protein import pathways of mitochondria.

Project 2: Functional alterations of protein import into mitochondria

Principal Investigators: Prof. Agnieszka Chacinska and Dr. Remigiusz Serwa; IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland

Mitochondria are important biochemical and metabolic hubs of the cell. To perform their function, mitochondria need more than a thousand of proteins. Nearly all of them are synthesized in the cytosol and must be imported into a proper destination inside these organelles. Thus, understanding the quality control, as well as alterations in protein transport, is critical to understand the physiology and molecular basis of multiple pathologies derived from mitochondria. The project aims to dissect the function of two different variants of the complex inner membrane protein translocase called TIM23. Two variants which are defined by one of the forms of a key component TIM17 are differentially regulated. This regulation likely serves to achieve quality control of protein translocation across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The project aims to address the functional and architectural differences between two isoforms of TIM23, as well as the quality control at the level of inner mitochondrial membrane transport. The project is planned to accommodate a portfolio of cell and molecular biology methods complementing advanced proteomics approaches. The combination of technologies and expertise will allow to dissect the role and accuracy of protein import into and across the inner mitochondrial membrane, and functional implications of alterations in this key cellular process.

Location: Warsaw, Poland

Organisation: IMOL, Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Links

AMBER call in EURAXESS main call (starting point for application)

Guide for applicants

Agnieszka Chacińska's Profile on IMOL's website

The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences

Info about employment at Lund University