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Wioleta Zelek

Dr Wioleta Zelek

(she/her)

Race Against Dementia and Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow, UK-DRI Emerging Leader

School of Medicine

Email
ZelekW@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29206 87860
Campuses
Henry Wellcome Building for Biomedical Research, Floor 4th Floor, Room 4F10, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

I have a strong research focus on the complement system, its biology, roles in disease and in manipulating the system for therapy. My specific interest is in the terminal pathway of the complement system that generates the highly pro-inflammatory molecules C5a and the membrane attack complex (MAC). My current focus is on the development of anti-MAC agents capable of inhibiting inflammation, and investigating the basic biology of MAC structure and function to identify druggable targets.

https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/rad-fellows/dr-wioleta-zelek/

https://ukdri.ac.uk/team/wioleta-zelek

 

 

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Articles

Thesis

Research

My current focus is on generating anti-complement drugs for treatment of common inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, kidneys disorders and dementia. During the pandemic I have re-focussed my work to address relevant issues; I supported a compassionate use study of anti-complement therapy in severe Covid-19, and developed assays for measurement of antibodies against the RBD domain of the SARS-Cov2 virus.

Grants and awards:

Jan 2022 – present: RAD/ARUK Fellow & UK-DRI Emerging Leader.

"Targeting novel anti-complement drugs to the brain for therapy of dementia." 

https://ukdri.ac.uk/team/wioleta-zelek

https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/about-us/our-research/our-fellows/dr-wioleta-zelek-race-against-dementia-fellow-and-ukdri-emerging-leader-cardiff-university/

Oct 2020 - Dec 2021: HCRW Fellow.

"Drug design for specific inhibition of the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) in common inflammatory diseases."

Oct 2019 - Sep 2020: ISSF Fellow.

"Structure-function guided drug design for specific inhibition of the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) in complement driven diseases."

Oct 2016 - Sep 2019: PhD Student.

"Targeting the terminal pathway in complement – driven disease."

Biography

Jan 2022 – present: Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Dementia Research Institute, Research Fellow. Race Against Dementia / Alzheimer's Research UK Fellowship Award & UK-DRI Emerging Leader status. "Targeting novel anti-complement drugs to the brain for therapy of dementia." 

Oct 2020 – Dec 2021: Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Research Associate. Health and Care Research Fellowship Award.  "Drug design for specific inhibition of the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) in common inflammatory diseases."

Oct 2019 – Sep 2020: Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Research Associate. Institutional Strategic Support Fund via Wellcome Trust Consolidator Award.  "Structure-function guided drug design for specific inhibition of the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) in complement driven diseases."

 Oct 2016 – Sep 2019: Cardiff University, School of Medicine, PhD Student.  "Targeting the terminal pathway in complement -  driven disease".

 Jan 2015 – Sep 2016: Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Research Technician in Prof. B. Paul Morgan Group.  "Complement biomarkers in autoimmune diseases."

Industry:

Jan 2013 – Dec 2014: RSR Limited, Cardiff. Scientist.

Jan 2007 – Dec 2013: BBI Group, Cardiff, Senior Scientist.

Dec 2006 – Dec 2007: Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, Cardiff, Medical Laboratory Assistant.

Development of new products: ELISAs and LFAs; improvement of immunoassays performance and manufacturing processes, troubleshooting on products stability and sensitivity issues; data analysis of results obtained and generation of customer reports. Training and supervision of staff. Generation and approval of laboratory protocols; SOP's, EP's, QCP's, PP's. Accustomed to ISO 9001:2008, ISO13485:2003, FDA, GLP, GMP, PPE, SEQOHS, COSHH, H&S, GCP.

 

Supervisions

Current supervision

Rebekah Cooke

Rebekah Cooke

Graduate Tutor

Aurora Veteleanu

Aurora Veteleanu

Research student