Vesna Jurjevič: Raziskovanje MAGE proteinov

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Vesna Jurjevič: Exploring MAGE Proteins

The American-Slovenian Educational Foundation (ASEF) teams up with the Student Organization of the Biotechnical Faculty to present a public scientific lecture series focused on cancer research from a biological perspective. The session is scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at 6 PM and will be conducted by Vesna Jurjevič, a master’s student in molecular and functional biology at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and a 2024 ASEF scholarship recipient. The lecture, titled “Exploring MAGE Proteins?”, will take place at the Biotechnical Faculty in lecture hall B5 (Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana).

REGISTRATION

Registration for the session is required by December 5th, no later than 5 PM.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

The MAGE protein family (Melanoma Antigen Gene) has been the subject of scientific study for over 40 years due to their association with aggressive cancer types. While their exact functions remain partially understood, they play a significant role in tumor cell survival, immune evasion, and treatment resistance, making them crucial in cancer research. This summer, Vesna had the opportunity to work with a team on MAGE proteins at the Fon Tacer Lab at TTU SVM, Texas, for two months. During her lecture, she will share her research experiences, including laboratory work and insights gained while in America. Additionally, she will discuss her master's thesis work involving the determination of a specific MAGE protein's function and its contribution to cancer development.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Vesna Jurjevič holds a master's degree in molecular and functional biology from the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. Currently, she is preparing her thesis under the mentorship of Dr. Barbara Breznik from the National Institute of Biology in Ljubljana, researching the role of the melanoma antigen MAGEC2 protein in glioblastoma and the anti-tumor immune response. She hails from Kamnik and enjoys spending her free time outdoors with friends or working in the educational department of the Ljubljana Zoo, where she conducts guided tours and teaches visitors about various animal species and nature conservation.