Researcher Filip Kuś is enthusiastic: Bochum as a springboard for innovation!

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Filip Kuś, a doctoral student from Poland, researches molecular chaperones at the Ruhr University Bochum and shares his experiences.

Filip Kuś, Doktorand aus Polen, erforscht molekulare Chaperone an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum und teilt seine Erfahrungen.
Filip Kuś, a doctoral student from Poland, researches molecular chaperones at the Ruhr University Bochum and shares his experiences.

Researcher Filip Kuś is enthusiastic: Bochum as a springboard for innovation!

On June 5, 2025, it was announced that Filip Kuś received a scholarship from the European Organization for Molecular Biology. The Polish doctoral student, who is researching molecular chaperones at the University of Gdańsk, is currently conducting a research stay in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Konstanze Winklhofer at the Ruhr University Bochum. This exchange is a valuable opportunity to network with other researchers and gain new experiences.

Molecular chaperones are crucial for the correct folding of proteins in cells. These proteins help recycle or break down damaged or misfolded proteins. Disturbances in the function of these chaperones can lead to serious diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Loud spectrum Molecular chaperones support folding processes by binding to folding intermediates and suppressing non-specific aggregations.

Research on molecular chaperones

In Bochum, Kuś works with genetically modified cells and uses a plasmid with a gene for a fluorescent protein. This technique allows him to collect important data for his doctoral thesis using fluorescence lifetime microscopy. Chaperones such as the Hsp70 family and chaperonins play a central role by preventing incompletely folded proteins from agglomerating, which is particularly important at high protein concentrations in cells.

Kuś became aware of Prof. Winklhofer's laboratory after a colleague learned more about the research there at a conference. He has been living in Bochum for two months and has already noticed the first differences to the University of Gdańsk. In addition to the academic exchange, he also signed up for a volleyball course and visited the language café. These activities offer him the opportunity to gain not only scientific knowledge but also intercultural experience.

Experiences in Bochum

His favorite place on campus is the architecture of the university library, which he really likes. Kuś is thrilled by the trust that is now placed in him, especially when using the microscope. Despite his positive experiences and the support he receives, he is unsure whether he wants to stay in science long-term. He wants to make this decision in the last year of his doctorate.

The European Organization for Molecular Biology promotes the exchange and mobility of European researchers, which represents a valuable opportunity for Kuś to develop further. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the journey and not just the destination. The stay in Bochum gives him the chance not only to make academic progress, but also to explore the Ruhr area and neighboring countries.

Chaperones are becoming an increasingly important field of research, especially given the increasing relevance of neurodegenerative diseases in our aging society. Future research will focus on better understanding the molecular mechanisms of these diseases, as proteins play an essential role in cellular life functions.