Dr. Isabelle Zink
Room 3.030
1030 Wien, Djerassiplatz 1
T: +43-4277-
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
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 at the University of Vienna, Austria |
Research and Professional Experience
06/2024 - present | Postdoctoral researcherat the Dep. of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, University of Vienna, Austria. | |
| 04/2021 - 06-2024 | Postdoctoral 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, Illinois, 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. Dr. 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 | Schroedinger Postdoctoral fellowship (FWF Autsrian 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) | |