The “gold cage” girl: Interview with a START scholarship recipient and the inspiring story of Professor Wacław Szybalski Scholarship

06 March 2024

"It all started with stuffed toys and Dustin Hoffman. She refused to be persuaded that chemistry was the “hardest science.” Today, at her laboratory bench, bionanoengineer Izabela Stupka, Ph.D., is building an “army” capable of defeating cancer. You’re not going to tell me you’ve wanted to be a bionanoengineer since you were little...? Izabela Stupka (IS): Yes, that would be a lie (laughs). However, the scholarly aura of my native Kraków, the domestic “vibes,” and being encouraged, together with my brother, to invest in our self-improvement initially made me want to become a teacher. My teddies and toys were all very well-schooled (laughs). But the moment I saw Dustin Hoffman in Outbreak, teaching ceased to be enough for me. Did you want to be a superwoman in a white hazmat suit saving the world from deadly viruses? IS: I was terrified by the fact that millions of people can be killed by “something” that cannot be seen, felt, or touched. Several of my relatives began to fall ill at that time, as is the nature of things. It shocked me that many diseases still have no cure despite our technological advancements. This was when I informed my wonderful chemistry teacher that I would be studying biotechnology. I was besotted with the prospect of exploring the unknown. And you stayed true to your resolve? IS: Yes. Although, at my secondary school I kept hearing murmured suggestions that scientific work was not a good option if you wanted to make a living. As a precautionary measure, I even considered studying dentistry, but ultimately, I followed my fate. My destiny took me to the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology at the Jagiellonian University. I strongly felt that “this was how it had to be.” And can you imagine that the lectures I once gave to my teddies also came in handy? (laughs) On one occasion, I was presenting the results of some research to an auditorium, and the professor who taught the class said that I talked about science in an orderly way which he enjoyed. Tell us what you actually do in your professional life. IS: I work with nano-scale objects, ones with the size of one billionth of a meter, or more precisely protein cages... It sounds complicated, but it’s simple. Imagine a virus. It is made up of various elements, one of which is genetic material. The material is surrounded by a protein shell that resembles a cage. There are more such cages, ferritins for example and they are found in all organisms. I specialize in the design of artificial cages, which are not found in nature. Why did you go for this line of research? IS: My doctoral thesis promoter, Professor Jonathan Heddle, encouraged my decision. His focus for many years was TRAP proteins, which regulate tryptophan synthesis in bacteria. The research established that this protein self-assembles into a cage-like structure after specific mutation and reaction with gold compounds. Interestingly, the artificial cage is more stable thanits natural components. -Can you imagine that you can cook it for three hours, and it will not break apart? However, in some conditions it will break down very quickly, for example, inside the cytoplasm of mammalian cells. The team of Professor Heddle is working on how to use these artificial cages most effectively. We have already discovered, at least in part, their potential use. In my doctoral thesis, I tackled the problem of what TRAP proteins can be combined with apart from gold atoms to create other types of cages and how to encapsulate something inside them. And what can be done with such an artificial gold cage? IS: It can be used as a ... capsule. We wish to modify the cage so that we can “pack” something inside. Our focus is anti-cancer drugs. We could “pack” a drug molecule inside the cage, and directly target the cancerous tissues. Upon reaching its destination, the cage would break down and release the drug. You can call it targeted treatment. This way, we protect healthy cells. Imagine the extent to which such treatment would limit the side effects and complications of chemotherapy. We have also discovered that it is possible to attach something externally to this artificial cage, such as viral antigens, and thus create a brand-new vaccine against a specific disease. You are creating the future of medicine. Have you had any successes? IS: Yes! Nature, the most prestigious scientific magazine in the world, published an article about the results of our research on TRAP cages. Furthermore, nCage Therapeutics, where I lead the research team, is one of only two ventures in the world involved in this type of research. I am also a recipient of a scholarship from the START programme of the Foundation for Polish Science with a distinction for innovative achievements in biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology. There is one more thing! Let me tell you an interesting fact – my scholarship was funded by Professor Wacław Szybalski, a world-renowned biotechnologist and geneticist, already after his passing. Professor Szybalski left a bequest in his will in which he allocated part of his estate to the Foundation for Polish Science to be donated to young, outstanding scientists in the form of a scholarship. This is a common practice around the world – people often include more than their family members, friends, and colleagues in their wills. They also tend to remember about a social cause that is close to their hearts and beliefs. An entire international campaign is dedicated to this topic (see: www.napisztestament.org.pl). The size of your wallet is irrelevant – the campaign is about doing good and creating a positive future. This matter is extremely important to scientists as it gives our work a sense of purpose. And gratitude, of course. We are conscious that somebody has thought about us, provided us with suitable working conditions, and appreciated our efforts. I am 32 years old, but I am already planning to make a last will and testament. And how does what you do now affect the future? IS: My day-to-day work in the lab involves preparing samples, data analyses, and team discussions, so there is not much drama and action in what I do. However, these activities help create, for example, a new drug carrier that has the potential to revolutionize the approach to cancer or viral therapies. In other words, it can globally transform medicine and our lives. Our research aims to better equip us in case we face another virus or pandemic so that we are not as vulnerable as we were with Covid-19. Your eyes sparkle when you talk about your work. IS: My husband said the same to persuade me to pursue a PhD (laughs). And what do you do when you are not trying to fit a cancer drug inside a “gold cage”? IS: I used to play volleyball. But getting a team together is becoming more and more difficult (laughs). Instead, I enjoy solo sports – rollerblading, ice skating, and skiing. I also practice yoga and Pilates. My husband and I also enjoy mountain hiking. Children? Not yet. For now, I am doing my best to create a good future. Izabela Stupka is the face of the nationwide public awareness campaign “Zapisz Dobro” #makeawill – #bequatthgoodwill – www.napisztestament.org.pl – which aims to popularize the drafting of wills as documents governing property aspects at every stage of our life and the inclusion in wills of transparent non-governmental organizations pursuing social goals that are close to each person for a #goodfuture. Source: Dziewczyna od „złotych klatek”, www.ofeminin.pl, https://www.ofeminin.pl/fitness-i-zdrowie/zdrowie/dziewczyna-od-zlotych-klatek/vwgvt71 (DOA: March 4, 2024).

In the event that the Foundation for Polish Science is included in the will, the donated funds will be used in full to finance scholarships for young scientists as part of the START programme or to support another group of scholars as agreed between the testator and the Foundation. For more detailed information, visit our website. Include us in your will – start.fnp.org.pl.