The Scientific Committee selected the “Best Junior Scientist 2018“ among the 9 young researchers (PhD or post-PhD) nominated and invited to present their results to Scientists and Industrials coming from the Dermatology and Cosmetic Worlds.
The Scientific Committee awarded a young and expert scientist for her outstanding work, Ms Maria Magdalena KLICZNIK, a PhD student working under the supervision of Dr Iris K. GRATZ, Group of Tissue and Immune Regulation, in the Department of Biosciences, associated to the international PhD program ICA at the University of Salzburg in Austria.
She received the grant of €15,000.
The aim of the project was to develop a humanized mouse model that allowed to study human cutaneous T cell responses in vivo. To do so, simplified human skin, consisting of keratinocytes and fibroblasts only, was generated on immunodeficinet mice and combined with human T cells. With this model T cell migration to the human skin and antigen-specific skin T cell responses against microbial antigen can be studied. Additionally, the human skin tissue itself supported T cell function in vivo. This model provides a platform to study the requirements of cutaneous immune responses in human skin in vivo.
Concerning the « Best SPIM Poster 2018 », Laetitia GORISSE’s poster was selected by all participants and received the grant of €4,000. She is a PhD student in MEDyC (Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire), Reims, France and currently in postdoc at NIH (National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda, USA. Her Supervisor: Pr. Philippe Gillery.
This study describes carbamylation, a non-enzymatic post-translational modification of proteins, as a new intrinsic factor involved in skin ageing. Carbamylated proteins accumulate in dermal tissue over time in mammalian species. Matrix proteins are particularly sensitive to carbamylation since these long half-life proteins are poorly renewed. However, experiments showed that the organism is able to reduce the amount of carbamylated proteins after their formation in skin.
The first day was enriched with well-known lecturers from experts of skin physiology and young researchers participating in the Greentech Awards. After the last sessions of the day, all participants enjoyed the Exhibition of ERRO.
ERRO is an artist born in Olafsvik, Iceland in 1932. He enters the Fine Art of Reykjavik in September 1949 and graduates as an Art teacher on the Spring of 1951. ERRO is considered as one of the most important contemporary painters, he obtruded himself by his prolific work and through many Exhibitions and retrospectives all around the World.