'I am pursuing research in Raman Imaging of human cells,' says Natallia Uzunbajakava of Belarus, final-year PhD student from the department of Applied Physics, Biophysical Techniques group. But what exactly is Raman Imaging?
'Cell biological processes such as cell division, cell differentiation etc involve changes in the spatial organization and chemical composition of the molecules that make up the cell. In the past 10 - 15 years, researchers have demonstrated that it is often possible to image these changes with certain techniques, one of which is Raman Imagingö,' explains Natallia. This technique allows chemical identification and location of the components in human tissues and cells. It helps to study many physiological processes in cells like drug-cell interactions, enzymatic processes in cells like phagocytosis - part of the immune response of a human body and chemical degradation of implanted prosthetic devices, allowing monitoring of the state of the device.
Natallia continues, 'However, naturally occurring compounds like DNA, RNA etc have mostly resisted measurement with this technique. The biophysical techniques group at the UT was the first to use an improved approach in Raman imaging thus overcoming this limitation. This was achieved by improving the optical components of our homebuilt Raman Microspectometer and use of high laser powers.'
'This research may assist researchers in better understanding how drugs act on cells. It may accelerate the process of new drug development and enable visualisation of immune responses that are crucial to the human body,' she continues.
Natallia completed her degree in Physics at the State University in Minsk, Belarus. She worked for two years in Minsk in biophysics but felt the urge to do more to realise her potential and live abroad. 'I knew about the UT through a few friends who were working here and hence decided to come here.'
She has evolved a theory about living in a foreign country. 'A person goes through three distinct phases. In phase one, everything looks good! With the passage of time, one slips into phase two, wherein one realises there are things that one does not like and one complains. Lastly, one either accepts the culture or rejects it. With all the things I like and dislike about the Dutch culture, I accept it.' Elaborating on one of the things she wishes were better, medical services for minor cases is on her priority list. 'I had a minor accident while making coffee one day - the boiling water spilled on my thigh. I had a particularly nasty blister and it burst open with these hideous liquids oozing out! When I visited the doctor in that very state, my wound was not even bandaged, all I got was a prescription! Well, I was not totally shocked because my friends had warned me about getting this kind of a treatment.'
Natallia is still undecided about her future plans. 'I have been very busy because I took up a Master's study and only last week I graduated. I can now start thinking of the future.'
Hometown : Minsk, Belarus
Languages : Russian, Belarussian, English, Dutch
Favourite Food: Plouö- meat and rice cooked together
Favourite Movie: 'those of Sophia Loren and Jean-Paul Belmondo'
Favourite Music: all types
Best part of living in NL: feeling of freedom and independence
Worst part of living in NL: medical services
Deepa Talasila
Natallia Uzanbajakava
