ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Katharina Keuenhof is first author on ‘ Large organellar changes occur during mild heat shock in yeast’, published in JCS. Katharina is a PhD student in the lab of Johanna Höög at Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicinaregatan, Göteborg, Sweden, where she is curious about ultrastructural changes within biological organisms and using electron microscopy in new ways.
Katharina Keuenhof
How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?
We have found that when yeast cells are exposed to high temperatures, a condition that stresses them, they respond in various ways. Different parts (organelles) within the cell change in size, or possibly in content, and even connect differently to each other. Finding out how the structure of the cell changes when dealing with stress can help us create a larger picture of what happens when and how cells deal with adversity, such as disease for example.
Were there any specific challenges associated with this project? If so, how did you overcome them?
Ensuring that we used the correct statistical tests was initially challenging, but we solved it with the help of other qualified professionals, books and programming.
When doing the research, did you have a particular result or ‘eureka’ moment that has stuck with you?
Working through literature to look for an explanation for the electron translucent clusters (ETCs) we observed, and seeing all the pieces combined was definitely an exciting part!
Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?
We hope to share our results with a wide audience as, firstly, yeast is a very popular model organism and, secondly, the results can be relevant across a wide range of fields in biology.
A close-up of a cell after 90 min of heat shock. We see electron translucent content, which increasingly appears throughout heat shock, in the bottom right corner, as well as other structures which are enlarged and possibly different in content.
A close-up of a cell after 90 min of heat shock. We see electron translucent content, which increasingly appears throughout heat shock, in the bottom right corner, as well as other structures which are enlarged and possibly different in content.
Have you had any significant mentors who have helped you beyond supervision in the lab? How was their guidance special?
Even before my PhD, my colleagues at the Vienna Biocenter Core Facilities accepted me into their team, and helped me develop so many skills and my passion for electron microscopy.
What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?
I've always loved to puzzle, and this is also what research feels like, finding pieces of knowledge about the world we live in and ourselves and putting them together to create a bigger picture.
Who are your role models in science? Why?
I admire and feel inspired by all who solve issues by approaching problems from a completely different angle, and find new ways to use existing techniques. Additionally, I am inspired by my fellow PhD candidates who keep going in the face of adversity, and non-scientist curious minds who encourage me to think outside the box.
What's next for you?
I intend to pursue a career in academia, next stop: post-doc, final destination: Dean!
Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV
I am also increasingly involved in my community organising the local ballroom community and am a passionate activist.
Katharina Keuenhof's contact details: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicinaregatan 9C, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden.
E-mail: [email protected]
