Academic Centre
University of Latvia (UL) Foundation scholarship recipients and UL’s researchers Ilze Izabella Dindune and Monta Brīvība are working on the study “Research of Precision Medical Strategies in the Treatment of Childhood Malignancies”, financial support for the project is provided by the patron “Mikrotīkls”, which is administered by the UL Foundation.
The results of this project are aimed at improving the diagnostics and treatment of child malignancies in Latvia and the development of a research resource for these diseases while making large-scale sequencing-based genetic analysis and patient-specific therapy for pediatric oncology available in Latvia (approximately 50 patients per year), which will provide additional insights into the mechanisms of pathogenesis of childhood malignancies and promote future health care for these patients through innovative approaches.
Researcher Ilze Izabella Dindune is a three-time recipient of scholarships administered by the UL Foundation - receiving the Laimiņi family scholarship in microbiology during the 2017/18 academic year and receiving an Alfred Raister memorial scholarship in the academic years of 2019/20 and 2020/21.
Since the first year of her bachelor's studies, Ilze has been working at the Latvian Biomedical research and study center, where she began her research career working in research related to type 2 diabetes, around which her course, bachelor's and master's theses were also developed. In the first summer months of 2021, after obtaining a master's degree specializing in molecular biology, a new growth opportunity was presented to Ilze - to participate in a research project on malignancies of children in Latvia, funded by the generous patron of the University of Latvia "Mikrotīkls"."This is an opportunity to work on a project with the noble goal of improving the genetic research of pediatric oncology patients, thus potentially helping to understand exactly what happened at the molecular level to a child who has been diagnosed. I am grateful for the opportunity to work towards this goal, hoping that such work will help to improve the tools and meaning of genetic diagnostics in Latvia as well,” says research assistant Ilze.
Monta Brīvība is the winner of the Alfred Raister memorial scholarship of the 2018/19 academic year, Monta is currently a candidate for a scientific degree in the doctoral program “Biology” at the University of Latvia. Monta started her scientific work at the Institute of Oncology of Riga Stradins University, where she researched the genetics of malignancies.
The topic of the researcher's doctoral dissertation is "Molecular factors for assessing the efficacy and prevent the risk of complications of treatment for type 2 diabetes", which is a current research object because of the growing prevalence of the disease on a global scale. The results of the study so far are promising, and I believe that they have the potential to influence the future direction of metformin pharmacogenomics research on a global scale.
“The experience I have gained while practicing at the Latvian Biomedical research and study center, participating in various European and local scientific projects, has given me extensive knowledge in molecular biology, genetics of multifactorial diseases, and research into their biomarkers from both a functional and methodological point of view. It is this experience that has enabled me to be actively involved in other non-type 2 diabetes research projects, including large-scale SARS-CoV-2 virus, Covid-19, and pediatric malignancies,” says researcher Monta.
About the UL Foundation
Since 2004, the University of Latvia Foundation has been providing an opportunity for patrons and partners to support both LU and other leading Latvian universities, thus investing in the future of Latvia. The priorities of the Foundation are to support the most outstanding students and researchers, to contribute to the creation of a modern learning environment, and to the construction and reconstruction of university buildings.
