Bettina specialises in molecular biology, currently focusing on mRNA-based therapeutics in immuno-oncology.
Bettina is designing natural killer cell-specific “CARs” (chimeric antigen receptors) from monoclonal antibodies against novel targets. She is further working on the targeted delivery of mRNA-carrying lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to specific subsets of immune cells.
Bettina is looking forward to exploring mRNA technology as a tool to address a wide range of human diseases and strives to contribute to the translation of next-generation mRNA therapies.
Bettina holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biotechnology, majoring in industrial biotechnology and metabolic engineering. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked on the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections, contributing to the development of a PCA rapid testing device. Before pursuing the Master of Biotechnology at the University of Queensland, Bettina joined a research group on implant-associated infections at the University Hospital Rechts der Isar, Munich, for a project aiming to accelerate the detection and characterisation of pathogens in blood and ascites.
Collaborations
The project on NK cell-specific CAR constructs has been established in collaboration with Assoc Prof Guimaraes’ group at the Frazer Institute.
For the specific delivery of mRNA-loaded nanoparticles to immune cells, Bettina is working with Dr Howard (Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, UQ).