People
Anna Malecka
Assistant Professor in Immunology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
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Biography
I am an immunologist interested in the role of innate immune cells (macrophages, mast cells and dendritic cells) in the development of cancer and persistent infections and resistance to therapies. In 2010, I undertook an MSc in Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology (Distinction) at University of Nottingham investigating the mechanisms involved in fibroblast-dendritic cells crosstalk in cancer. In 2012 I was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for Research Excellence to undertake PhD at the Host-tumour interactions Group at UoN during which I developed protocols for the generation of differentially polarised primary human macrophages and investigated the impact of stromal cells and ionising radiation on the function of dendritic cells and macrophages in cancer. After competing PhD, I worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow on the development of dendritic cells immunotherapy for melanoma patients. In 2020 I was awarded Personal Research Fellowship from the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE). During this time at I investigated the expression Neuropilin 1 on human primary macrophages and its modulation by environmental signals. In 2022 I joined the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science as an Assistant Professor in Immunology.
Expertise Summary
My research interests lie in characterising the mechanisms governing the crosstalk between innate immune cells (macrophages, dendritic cells and mast cells), T cells and stromal cells and how this crosstalk leads to inappropriate immune responses supporting development of cancer and infections. For this purpose, have developed multicellular in-vitro models of primary human and animal immune cells with various stromal cells (fibroblasts, cancer and endothelial cells). The techniques I use include molecular biology, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.
Applications for PhD positions from self-funded exceptional candidates interested in studying the role of cell-cell communication in immune responses are invited all year round. Current research areas include cancer immunology, bioelectricity, cells networking, immune responses to streptococcus infections, inflammasome.
Please contact Dr Malecka via email Anna.Malecka1@nottingham.ac.uk