Application form hCOMET COST training in Latvia, 2018 Name Anna Kalužová Female/male Female Affiliation RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno Address Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 City Brno – Bohunice Country Czech Republic E-mail kaluzova.anicka@gmail.com Current status (post-doc, PhD-student) MSc student Years of PhD or after PhD: 1^st year MSc student Passport number or ID 205731960 Do you need help with accommodation? Yes Head of the team (name & full address/e-mail): Pavel Čupr cupr@recetox.muni.cz Field of interest Biochemistry and genotoxicology – effects of occupational exposure of fire-fighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and perfluorinated compounds, their fates in human organisms and their impact on DNA damage and oxidative stress. Experience with comet assay technique In recent years our team has optimised and introduced comet assay to our laboratories due to my colleagues’ involvement in hComet course in Oslo and Rome. We perform the comet assay in classical mode, but even in modified versions for assessment of oxidative base damage (with FPG) and level of DNA methylation. During carrying out the pilot study, my colleagues were routinely performing this assay on isolated lymphocytes and whole blood samples collected from firemen exposed during occupational intervention to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the air and perfluorinated compounds in fire extinguishers. This fact caused that I am theoretically very well acquainted with this technique. A couple of times I had an opportunity to participate in assessment of DNA damage with comet assay as well. Measured data from the pilot study will be used in publication which is already in process. Simultaneously we prepare a protocol of new study on exposed firemen, when our aim will be to use not only blood and lymphocytes, but even some non-invasive matrixes as well (same in further projects like CELSPAC TNG, HBM4EU, etc.). In the this project I will be responsible for testing samples with comet assay and interpretation of obtained data. Motivation letter Dear Sir/Madam, I am thrilled to be applying for the hComet training school in non-invasive cell sampling in Riga. After reading the requirements, it is clear you are looking for younger applicants who are keen on learning new approaches and progress in evaluation of DNA damage with comet assay. Given your requirements, I believe I am a suitable candidate for the course. I am a first-year student of the Master’s degree programme Analytical Biochemistry at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. At present I am a member of Human Exposure Assessment and Risks group that is situated in Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) at Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic. Within my bachelor thesis (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329337688_Evaluation_ of_DNA_damage_in_human_cells_by_micronucleus_assay) I have been dealing with optimisation of cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in order to assess the exposure of firemen to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our current research is rather focused on evaluation of biomarkers of oxidative stress and assessment of DNA damage with comet assay in fire-fighters exposed to toxic compounds during occupational intervention. I believe this course would be a great benefit not only for me, but for the whole team as well, because of our many curious questions about utilisation of comet assay. It would also bring us a new insight into current problematics of comet assay regarding choice of matrix, considering pros and cons of each type of biological material. This project appeals to me, because it hosts not only theoretical, but even practical training, and the skills gained during training would be definitely harvested later in our future human biomonitoring studies. After reviewing my CV, I hope you will agree that I am the type candidate who meets your expectations. I am honoured to elaborate on my experiences in attached CV. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours faithfully, Anna Kaluzova BRIEF CV Bc. Anna Kaluzova E-mail address kaluzova.anicka@gmail.com Home address Tvarozna 209, 664 05, Brno–Country District, South Moravian Region, Czech Republic Cell phone number +420 732 681 230 Personal profile As a first year Master student in Analytical biochemistry I am connected to Faculty of Science of the Masaryk University in Brno. At present I am a member of Human Exposure Assessment and Risks group situated in the Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) at Masaryk University. In terms of my bachelor thesis, I optimised and performed the CBMN protocol with automatic scanning device Metafer5 within our laboratories. My research interests are mainly focused on evaluation of DNA damage and oxidative stress related to human exposure. I experienced an internship in clinical laboratory at Veterinary and Pharmaceutical University, where I was able to apply my knowledge about different biochemical techniques and enzymology. Since January 2019 I will participate in project of Mendel University Brno focused on assessment of quality of soils. During my academic life, I have experienced a semester course of good laboratory practise, where I have learnt principles and utilisation of GLP. During my academic life I have developed communication skills due to team meetings with eight group members from Faculty of Science and Faculty of Sport Studies. I have proven team cooperation within the project where my task was to prepare the protocol of the study and study design, sample processing, aliquoting and storing. Education Masaryk University Brno 2018 – present: Faculty of Science, Master‘s programme: Analytical Biochemistry Thesis: DNA damage and oxidative stress as a human exposure biomarkers Research group: Human Exposure Assessment and Risks Institution: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment 2015 – 2018: Faculty of Science, Bachelor programme: Biochemistry – Bachelor’s degree Thesis: Evaluation of DNA damage in human cells by micronucleus assay Research group: Human Exposure Assessment and Risks Institution: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment Grammar School 2011 – 2015: Multicultural English Gymnasium, focus: Native languages Work experience 2019: Mendel University Brno – Faculty of Geology and Pedology Function: preparing of soil samples for testing, decomposition and assessment of biochemical/chemical oxygen demand and fertility of soils 2016, 2018: Veterinary and Pharmaceutical University Brno – internships in clinical laboratory Skills MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint Statistica (statistical programme) Metafer (Metasystems, computerised automated microscopic imaging software) Further skills English language – advanced, active German language – slightly advanced, passive Russian language – beginner, passive Latin language – passive Driving licence, category B – active driver Playing the piano and flute Dancing Recommendation letter: Application form hCOMET COST training in Latvia, 2018 Name Anna Kalužová Female/male Female Affiliation RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno Address Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 City Brno – Bohunice Country Czech Republic E-mail kaluzova.anicka@gmail.com Current status (post-doc, PhD-student) MSc student Years of PhD or after PhD: 1^st year MSc student Passport number or ID 205731960 Do you need help with accommodation? Yes Head of the team (name & full address/e-mail): Pavel Čupr cupr@recetox.muni.cz Field of interest Biochemistry and genotoxicology – effects of occupational exposure of fire-fighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and perfluorinated compounds, their fates in human organisms and their impact on DNA damage and oxidative stress. Experience with comet assay technique In recent years our team has optimised and introduced the comet assay to our laboratories due to my colleagues’ involvement in hComet courses in Oslo and Rome. We perform the comet assay in classical mode, but [DEL: even :DEL] also in modified versions for the assessment of oxidative base damage (with FPG) and level of DNA methylation. [DEL: During :DEL] While carrying out the pilot study, my colleagues [DEL: were :DEL] routinely [DEL: performing :DEL] performed this assay on isolated lymphocytes and whole blood samples collected from firemen exposed during occupational intervention to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the air and perfluorinated compounds in fire extinguishers. This [DEL: fact :DEL] [DEL: caused :DEL] meant that I am [DEL: theoretically :DEL] very well acquainted with this technique, in practice and in theory. A couple of times I had an opportunity to participate in the assessment of DNA damage with the comet assay as well. Measured data from the pilot study will be used in a publication [DEL: which is alread :DEL] y in process. Simultaneously we prepared a protocol for [DEL: of :DEL] a new study on exposed firemen, [DEL: when :DEL] where our aim will be to use not only blood and lymphocytes, but [DEL: even :DEL] also some non-invasive [DEL: matrixes :DEL] matrices [DEL: as wel :DEL] l ([DEL: same :DEL] as used in further projects like CELSPAC TNG, HBM4EU, etc.). In [DEL: the :DEL] this project I will be responsible for testing samples with the comet assay and the interpretation of obtained data. Motivation letter Dear Sir/Madam, I am thrilled to be applying for the hComet training school in non-invasive cell sampling in Riga. After reading the requirements, it is clear you are looking for younger applicants who are keen on learning new approaches and making progress in the evaluation of DNA damage [DEL: with :DEL] using the comet assay. Given your requirements, I believe I am a suitable candidate for the course. I am a first-year student [DEL: of :DEL] on the Master’s degree programme in Analytical Biochemistry at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. At present I am a member of the Human Exposure Assessment and Risks group [DEL: that is situated :DEL] in the Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) at Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic. Within my bachelor thesis (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329337688_Evaluation_ of_DNA_damage_in_human_cells_by_micronucleus_assay) I have been dealing with the optimisation of cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays in order to assess the exposure of firemen to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our current research is [DEL: rather :DEL] focused on the evaluation of biomarkers of oxidative stress and assessment of DNA damage with the comet assay in fire-fighters exposed to toxic compounds during occupational intervention. I believe this course would be a great benefit not only for me, but for the whole team as well, because of our many [DEL: curious :DEL] questions about the utilisation of the comet assay. It would also bring us a new insight into current [DEL: problematics :DEL] problems [DEL: of :DEL] with the comet assay regarding the choice of matrix, considering the pros and cons of each type of biological material. This project appeals to me, because it hosts not only theoretical, but [DEL: even :DEL] also practical training, and the skills gained during training would be definitely harvested later in our future human biomonitoring studies. After reviewing my CV, I hope you will agree that I am the type of candidate who meets your expectations. I will provide [DEL: honoured to elaborate on my experiences :DEL] further details of my experience in the attached CV. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours faithfully, Anna Kaluzova BRIEF CV Bc. Anna Kaluzova E-mail address kaluzova.anicka@gmail.com Home address Tvarozna 209, 664 05, Brno–Country District, South Moravian Region, Czech Republic Cell phone number +420 732 681 230 Personal profile As a first year Master student in [DEL: A :DEL] analytical biochemistry I am connected to the Faculty of Science [DEL: of the :DEL] at Masaryk University in Brno. At present I am a member of the Human Exposure Assessment and Risks group situated in the Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) at Masaryk University. In terms of my bachelor thesis, I optimised and performed the CBMN protocol with the automatic Metafer5 scanning device [DEL: Metafer5 :DEL] within our laboratories. My research interests are mainly focused on the evaluation of DNA damage and oxidative stress related to human exposure. I experienced an internship in a clinical laboratory at Veterinary and Pharmaceutical University, where I was able to apply my knowledge about different biochemical techniques and enzymology. [DEL: Since :DEL] From January 2019 I will be [DEL: participate :DEL] participating in a project of Mendel University Brno focused on the assessment of [DEL: quality of soils :DEL] soil quality. During my academic life, I have [DEL: experienced :DEL] taken a semester course [DEL: of :DEL] on good laboratory practise, where I [DEL: have :DEL] learnt the principles and utilisation of GLP. [DEL: During my academic life :DEL] I have also developed communication skills due to team meetings with eight group members from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Sport Studies. I have proven team cooperation within the project where my task was to prepare the protocol of the study and study design, sample processing, aliquoting and [DEL: storing :DEL] storage. Education Masaryk University Brno 2018 – present: Faculty of Science, Master‘s programme: Analytical Biochemistry Thesis: DNA damage and oxidative stress as a human exposure biomarkers Research group: Human Exposure Assessment and Risks Institution: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment 2015 – 2018: Faculty of Science, Bachelor programme: Biochemistry – Bachelor’s degree Thesis: Evaluation of DNA damage in human cells by micronucleus assay Research group: Human Exposure Assessment and Risks Institution: Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment Grammar School 2011 – 2015: Multicultural English Gymnasium, focus: Native languages Work experience 2019: Mendel University Brno – Faculty of Geology and Pedology Function: preparing of soil samples for testing, decomposition and assessment of biochemical/chemical oxygen demand and fertility of soils 2016, 2018: Veterinary and Pharmaceutical University Brno – internships in clinical laboratory Skills MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint Statistica (statistical programme) Metafer (Metasystems, computerised automated microscopic imaging software) Further skills English language – advanced, active German language – slightly advanced, passive Russian language – beginner, passive Latin language – passive Driving licence, category B – active driver Playing the piano and flute Dancing Recommendation letter: