Dr. Isabelle Zink

Room 3.026
1030 Wien, Djerassiplatz 1
E: Isabelle.zink@univie.ac.at

Research focus

I study the molecular function, cellular roles, and interactions of immune systems like CRISPR-Cas and Argonautes in Archaea, focusing on both their virus defense mechanisms and broader roles beyond immunity. Additionally, I repurpose these systems as tools for genetic engineering in Archaea. As a researcher, I value a comprehensive approach, combining in vivo and in vitro work to fully understand these systems.

Ongoing project

The molecular network of archaeal argonautes

Curriculum Vitae

Education

01/2020	Ph.D. (pass with distinction) in Biology, University of Vienna, Austria
11/2013	Diploma Magistra reis naturalis (M.Sc. equivalent) in Microbiology and Genetics, University of Vienna, Austria
07/2009	1st Diploma (B.Sc. equivalent) in Biology, University of Vienna, Austria

Research and Professional Experience

07/2024 - present		Independent researcher at the Dep. of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, University of Vienna, Austria
04/2021 - 06/2024		Independent researcher at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, Prof. Dr. John van der Oost group, Project: "Nuclease engineering, CRISPR-Cas and Argonautes"
01/2020 - 04/2021		Postdoctoral researcher at the Dep. of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Austria, Prof. Christa Schleper group, Project: "RNA interference by the type III CRISPR-Cas system in Saccharolobis solfataricus"
03/2014 - 01/2020		Ph.D. student at the Dep. of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Austria, Advisor: Prof. Christa Schleper. Ph.D. thesis: "Investigation of CRISPR-mediated RNA interference in the hyperthermophylic Archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus"
10/2017		Co-organiser of the international CRISPR sypmosium: "Editing genomes with CRISPR: Between scientific breakthroughs and social challenges", Vienna, Austria (see: rri.univie.ac.at/workshops-events/crispr-symposium/)
05-08/2014		Guest researcher during Ph.D. studies at the Institute of Genome Biology, University of Illinois-Champaign, USA, Host: Prof. Rachel Whitaker group
03/2012 - 11/2013		Diploma student (M.Sc. equivalent) at the Dep. of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Austria, Prof. Christa Schleper group. Diploma thesis: "Development of a plasmid shuttle vector system for CRISPR studies in the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus"

Grants and Fellowships

2022 - 2025		Schrödinger Postdoctoral fellowship (FWF Austrian Science Fund) for performing 2 years of research at the Wageningen University, The Netherlands, 1 year return phase to University of Vienna, Austria
2018		PhD Completion grant of the University of Vienna for supporting the finalization of the Ph.D. thesis (6 months funding)
2016		Microbiology Society Conference Grant 2016 for attendance of the MBoA5 conference in London, UK
2016 - 2018		DOC fellowship – Internationally reviewed doctoral Fellowship Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) supporting highly qualified doctoral candidates (24 months funding for Ph.D. thesis)

Outreach

3 FWF-geförderte Erwin-Schrödinger-Auslandsstipendiatinnen erzählen über ihre Karrierewege in der Wissenschaft.