Manuela Paunovic, MSc

Department(s): Department of Neuroimmunology (Center for Brain Research)
Position: PHD Student
Location: Spitalgasse 4
Telephone: 40160-34222
E-Mail:

Grant(s):

• Mimotopes for pathogenic AQP4-specific Antibodies in NMO
• Repertoire/antigen recognition of brain-infiltrating immune cells in progressive MS

Abstract:

The focus of this project is to identify the phenotype of CNS-infiltrating B lineage cells and the antibody-repertoire expressed by these cells in CNS-autoimmune diseases. For that, we use archival brain tissues of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis or from MS-like diseases, like human autoimmune encephalitis. In one patient, we identified and cloned one fully functional antibody and are currently testing the pathogenic potential of this antibody in experimental models. This study was supported by a grant of the Austrian Science Fund DOC (FWF, project I3335-B27 and P28476-B30) and the German Research Council (DFG, DO420/3-1).

Techniques:

• Immunohistochemistry
• RNA-Isolation of human formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue
• Laser capture microdissection (RNA Isolation)
• Generation of cDNA Libraries for Next Generation Sequencing
• Cell culture (ExPi293 cells)
• Cloning of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains
• Expression and purification of recombinant immunoglobulins (ExPi293 Expression system; metal affinity chromatography)
• Experimental autoimmune encephalitis (Lewis rat)
• Confocal laser scanning microscopy

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