Contact

kornelia.steindel@pwr.edu.pl 
L-1, room 28
LinkedIn

Research

My research explores the functional heterogeneity of neutrophils through the lens of enzymatic activity, with a focus on neutrophil serine proteases such as elastase (HNE) and proteinase 3 (PR3), which are crucial for antimicrobial defense. I develop and apply advanced, non-invasive, internally quenched substrate-based probes that enable real-time imaging of active proteases in live cells without disrupting cellular function. These tools allow me to dissect neutrophil subpopulations and link their proteolytic profiles to antimicrobial functions like phagocytosis. My expertise bridges chemical biology and cellular immunology, using methods such as confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and functional single-cell assays. Ultimately, my work aims to uncover how distinct enzyme activities contribute to immune defense and inflammation, paving the way for targeted diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.

Education

2021 - Currently PhD in Biological Chemistry and Bioimaging, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Biological Chemistry and Bioimaging, Wrocław, Poland.

Thesis: The Role of Neutrophil Heterogeneity in Phagocytosis: Insights from HNE and PR3 Activity, supervisor: Paulina Kasperkiewicz, PhD, DSc

2020 - 2021 MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Biological Chemistry and Bioimaging, Wrocław, Poland.

Thesis: Investigation of Granzyme A proteolytic activity in selected cells, supervisor: Paulina Kasperkiewicz, PhD, DSc

Projects

2021 - Currently "Neutrophils heterogeneity based on serine proteases", Grant SONATA BIS 10, National Science Centre in Poland, 2020/38/E/NZ3/00507, contractor

2021 - 2022 Fix Neutropenia (FIXNET): focusing on neutrophil proteases defects which serve as novel diagnostic and therapeutic options, Grant TEAM-NET, Foundation for Polish Science, POIR.04.04.00-00-1603/18, contractor

Awards

Recipient of the Best Poster Award for the presentation entitled Development of chemical sensor for non-invasive optical imaging of proteinase 3, at the XII Meeting of the Paul Ehrlich Euro-PhD Network, 16-18.07.2023, Thessaloniki, Greece

Heck-Sloane Fellowship Travel Award Winner, Proteolytic Enzymes and Their Inhibitors Gordon Research Conference, 9-16.06.2024, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco in Lucca (Barga), Lucca, Italy

Conferences

Steindel K, Kasperkiewicz P, The role of neutrophils heterogeneity in bactericidal activity based on serine proteases, "Na pograniczu chemii i biologii" - XVIII Ogólnopolskie Seminarium dla Doktorantów i Studentów, 12-15.06.2022, Smardzewice, Poland (oral presentation)

Steindel K, Kasperkiewicz P, Badania nad wpływem heterogeniczności neutrofili zależnej od proteaz serynowych na ich aktywność bakteriobójczą, 64 Zjazd Naukowy Polskiego Towarzystwa Chemicznego, 11-16.09.2022, Lublin, Poland (oral presentation)

Steindel K, Wądrzyk M, Kasperkiewicz P, Development of chemical sensor for non-invasive optical imaging of human neutrophil elastase, Proteolysis: at the interface between health and disease, 17-21.09.2022, Bled, Slovenia (poster)

Steindel K, Krauze I, Wądrzyk M, Kasperkiewicz P, Quenched-Fluorescent Substrates for non-invasive optical imaging of Human Neutrophil Elastase and Proteinase 3, 12th General Meeting of the International Proteolysis Society, 23-29.06.2023, Singapore (poster)

Steindel K, Wądrzyk M, Kasperkiewicz P, Development of chemical sensor for non-invasive optical imaging of proteinase 3, XII Meeting of the Paul Ehrlich Euro-PhD Network, 16-18.07.2023, Thessaloniki, Greece (poster)

Steindel K, Wądrzyk M, Kasperkiewicz P, Substratowy marker chemiczny do badania aktywności Proteinazy 3 w neutrofilach, 65 Zjazd Naukowy Polskiego Towarzystwa Chemicznego, 18-22.09.2023, Toruń, Poland (poster)

Steindel K, Wądrzyk M, Bielec E, Kasperkiewicz P, Heterogeneity of neutrophils in microbial infection, Proteolytic Enzymes and Their Inhibitors Gordon Research Seminar, 8-9.06.2024, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco in Lucca (Barga), Lucca, Italy (oral presentation and poster)

Steindel K, Wądrzyk M, Bielec E, Kasperkiewicz P, Heterogeneity of neutrophils in microbial infection, Proteolytic Enzymes and Their Inhibitors Gordon Research Conference, 9- 16.06.2024, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco in Lucca (Barga), Lucca, Italy (oral presentation and poster)