Dr Lenka Frankova

Biography

Protein and Carbohydrate Biochemistry, Glycobiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Enzymology Positions Lecturer in Applied Molecular Biology / Glycobiology 2017-present, Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate 2010-2016, The University of Edinburgh, School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, Edinburgh, UK Postdoctoral Research Associate 2007-2010, The University of Edinburgh, School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, Edinburgh, UK Research Scientist and Principal Investigator 2000-2007, Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, SK Research Scientist 2000, Institute of Experimental Phytopathology & Entomology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ivanka pri Dunaji, SK Qualifications 2000-2005: PhD degree in Plant Biology and Biochemistry Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences & Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, SK 1999: PharmDr degree in Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and Molecular Biology Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology of Drugs, Comenius University, Bratislava, SK 1994-1999: MSc degree in Pharmacy Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Bratislava, SK Membership of professional bodies SEB (Society for Experimental Biology) 2010-present BPS (British Phycological Society) 2010-present LBNet (Lignocellulosic Biorefinery Network) 2016 FESPB (Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology) 2000-2007 SBS (Slovak Botanical Society) 2006-2007 Peer review Plant Biosystems, African Journal of Botany, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Database, Weed Research, Planta, Flora

Research Interest

I am interested in plant glycobiology and biochemistry with emphasis on post-synthetic remodelling, novel wall-modifying transglycosylases, algal and general plant biomass-degrading glycosylhydrolases. In this context, I am exploring (a) the importance, distribution and nature of non-structural (starch and fructans) and structural (cell-wall) polysaccharides (such as mannans, arabinoxylans, galactans, mixed-linkage glucan and pectins) in algae, ferns, crops and geophytic life forms, and (b) the unique enzymes that utilise or remodel them. I am also interested in devising high-throughput screens for enzymes that are difficult to assay and exploring the potential use of novel enzymes that significantly change polysaccharide properties. My research addresses fundamental biological questions on plant growth, perenniality and early-diverging plant evolution, as well as pharmaceutical, nutritional and industrial applications. Current research area: cell wall glycobiology and enzymology, wall-remodelling, enzyme screens, transglycosylases, glycosylhydrolases, algae, biofuels, plant pathogenic bacteria, carbohydrate microarrays, high-throughput screens. Previous Research Interests Biochemistry and physiology of medicinal and crop plants Starch, fructan and sucrose metabolism in cormous, tuberous and bulbous geophytes Proteolysis and vegetative storage proteins Heavy metal and drought stress Biosynthesis and conjugation of plant secondary metabolites (alkaloids and phenolic compounds) Pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy and toxicology