Natalya Wirtz, a researcher at the NSU Physics Department’s Optics and Dynamics of Biological Systems Laboratory, is engaged in the incorporation of nitric oxide photo-donors into polymer matrices and various shells. This should ensure better biocompatibility and transportation to their “destination”. After receiving her advanced degree, the young specialist went abroad and worked on scientific projects in US and French laboratories. Wirtz then returned to Russia and decided to become a postdoc at NSU. We asked her why she decided to work as a postdoc at the University.
International Experience
Natalia Wirtz graduated fr om Tomsk State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Photonics and Optoinformatics and a Master's Degree fr om the same university, but with a specialization related to laser technologies. She then completed postgraduate studies at ITMO (St. Petersburg) and worked there for several years in the Nonlinear Optical Molecular Crystals and Micro Lasers Laboratory. This Laboratory had a collaboration with the University Paris-Saclay (France) and with the University of New Mexico in the US.
Wirtz talked about her international postdoc,
Earlier, I had opportunities for international networking and I wanted to work abroad, gain new experience, and, possibly, develop my own scientific focus. In general, postdoctoral studies are a common practice that helps young researchers develop in their chosen field and provides an excellent opportunity to work in other countries so I decided to pursue this. Thanks to postdoctoral studies, you can concentrate on doing research. During a one or two year postdoc, you become a researcher at a university. After completing the program, the researcher gets a permanent position or is sent to another scientific or educational organization.
She worked for two years in the ICube laboratory at the University of Strasbourg (France) on a project funded by a prestigious grant from ARC, an international cancer research organization. This project was related to the development and integration of an endoscopic optical coherence tomography into a robotic endoscope.
The researcher continued,
It turned out to be interesting that I ended up in a specialized institute. We worked in the field of diagnosing pathologies of the digestive system. I saw how applied research is conducted in the field of biomedical optics when researchers, engineers, doctors, and practicing surgeons work in a big team to develop new equipment directly for implementation in surgical practice. As a rule, this type of cooperation is very effective.
In the USA, Wirtz worked in the biophotonics group at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee). The group was engaged on a project researching optical coherence tomography (OCT) in ophthalmology. She noted that similar work in the field of applied biomedical optics is also conducted in Russia at a fairly good level, but only a few research groups are involved in it. She was interested in developing this area in the form of multimodal systems wh ere, in addition to OCT, fluorescent diagnostics and various types of therapies, including photodynamic, are used.
An Easy Choice
Returning to her homeland, Wirtz began to look for a University wh ere she could apply the experience she gained abroad.
The researcher explained,
I had several selection criteria. I am from Biysk (Altai Region) and my parents live there so I chose a University to be closer to them. It was also important that it was in the TOP-10 and related to the Priority 2030 state program to support universities. I considered several universities and chose NSU. I had been to Akademgorodok before and was fascinated by it and its special atmosphere, but the Physics Department’s Optics and Dynamics of Biological Systems Laboratory and the projects that are being developed there played a key role. I still have contacts with the International Research and Educational Center for Physics of Nanostructures at ITMO University. We are creating a joint project for these Centers based on mutual scientific interests.
Wirtz noted that the Laboratory team she is a part of is characterized by its initiative and efficiency. She met young talented colleagues who were passionate about scientific work and applying an innovative approach to research. She said that favorable conditions have been created in the laboratory for full-fledged research work. There is all the necessary laboratory equipment and materials for the implementation of scientific ideas, of which the team has a lot. This is very important because they are engaged in biomedicine research which is associated with the development of important areas such as photodynamic therapy.
Wirtz explained,
Despite the fact that the Laboratory deals with fundamental issues, all of them have the potential to enter the category of applied. Photodynamic therapy and fluorescence diagnostics are a prime example of this. In certain areas of medicine, they have already become the "gold standard" for therapy and diagnostics. It is important that our Laboratory conduct promising research that can be successfully implemented in modern biomedicine. This year we received a residency in the Academpark business incubator with the OptiCounter device we developed. This measures the concentration of cell cultures in culture flasks. This is a potentially commercial project with practical applications.
The Laboratory staff is primarily engaged in fundamental research in the field of photochemistry. They investigate the optical properties of promising substances with potential applications in biomedical optics. Everything you need is available to work including instruments for physicochemical research and manipulations with cell cultures (laminar box, CO2 incubator, fluorescent microscope). The laboratory pays special attention to the automation of research processes and data processing.
The project Wirtz is working on is related to the incorporation of nitric oxide photodonors into polymer matrices and various shells.
The researcher talked about her work,
These substances have a certain toxicity and are poorly soluble in water. In order to improve their biocompatibility and make it possible to deliver them to certain tissues of the body, it is necessary to carry out specific manipulations. Now, together with the ITMO International Scientific and Educational Center for Physics of Nanostructures, we are working in a sphere related to nanoplasmonics. We are observing how metal nanoparticles can increase the efficiency of generating reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide through energy transfer mechanisms to our photodonors. We are also exploring the possibilities for creating various sensors based on our materials. This work has an applied nature. Its result will be an increase in the efficiency of the release of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide which, in turn, will launch controlled photoinduced processes, that we achieve in our laboratory. As a result, we expect to get more substances for a more pronounced and controlled therapeutic effect.
Wirtz is glad that fate brought her to NSU. She notes that there is serious professional personnel training here and the words “NSU graduate” are perceived in the scientific world not just as a line in your resume, but as a “quality mark”. Young researchers from NSU are welcome at Skolkovo, ITMO, and other major research centers.
