Angela Bekesi (Hungary)
| Hello my name is Angela! I'm a molecular biologist at the Institute of Enzymology belonging to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. I've just prepared my doctoral thesis about uracil in DNA. |
 |
Our genetic programme is made out of DNA, which is like a special text using four characters: adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine. The fifth character, uracil, has the same meaning as thymine. However, if uracil appears in DNA, it's sensed as a mistake and repaired by the DNA repair mechanism of the cell. If lot of uracils get into DNA, this mechanism turns into a hyperactive cycle, and leads to programmed self-suicide of the cell. This issue is quite important in anti-cancer drug design, as the death of tumour cells can be induced by introducing uracil into their DNA. However, in some cases uracil can appear in DNA and serve as a signal for different physiological processes, such as metamorphosis of pupating insects. I worked with fruit flies, and successfully identified a new protein (never known before!) responsible for sensing this uracil signal. This protein may assist the death of larval tissues necessary for fly emerging in pupae. This protein may be a useful tool for molecular biology or anti-cancer therapy, and a good target of fight against pest insects (such as malaria transmitter mosquitoes).
 |
|
Angela Bekesi |
|
Actually I didn't choose science, but science chose me and doesn't let me out. When I was little child, I dreamed about having a famous scientific career and saving the world with my discoveries. Later I decided to become a teacher, as I think it is one of the most useful professions. My favourite subjects were chemistry, math and arts. I was also an active participant of a catholic youth community. At the end I graduated as a teacher in chemistry and catholic theology. But my supervisor offered me a doctoral fellowship, and I thought: Why not? So half of the dream of my youth has beomce true. Now my life is similar to an action movie, I'm never bored. Planning and performing the experiments, trying to find the explanation for the why and the why not is a real detective activity. I'm sure that future applications of my results will be really useful.
As a scientist I work hard, but my work is also my favourite hobby. I can travel lot and meet interesting people. We also organise programmes with my colleagues (trips, Santa Claus, ping-pong championships). The scientific career allows bigger freedom and is more family-friendly than other work, such as in a factory or in an office. I enjoy these advantages with my husband and my two little sons as well. The boys have already been introduced into science; Ambrus (3 years old!) has already dealt with fruit flies ("beetles") and uses pipettes very expertly.
On the other hand I like painting icons, weaving, cycling, hiking and playing with my sons. We have lot of friends, and also organise common activities.
Schools:
Fazekas Mihály G. School Budapest
Vörösmarty Mihály G. School Érd
Nagy Lajos Cistercian G.
School Pécs
Arany János G. School Százhalombatta
Kodaly Zoltan High-School Pécs
Janus Panonius High School, Pécs