SOFIA SANDALLI
PhD Student
Roe Group Member: 2021 – Present
I graduated with a BSc. Biology from the University of Aberdeen in July 2020. My undergraduate research experiences included looking at bacterial bioremediation (Perm, Russia), investigating DNA ligase modifications (Amgen Scholars Program - Zurich, Switzerland) and researching mitochondrial metabolism in gastropods (Aberdeen, Scotland).
I joined the Wellcome Trust Integrative Infection Biology PhD Programme at the University of Glasgow in October 2020. As part of the programme, I undertook a first rotation in the Roe Group (Bacteriology), working on characterising hybrid strains of Escherichia coli, and a second rotation in the Sheiner Group (Parasitology), investigating the interaction of complexes in the mitochondrial electron transport chain of Toxoplasma gondii.
In April 2021, I began my PhD project, co-supervised by Prof. Andrew Roe and Dr. Gillian Douce. My research consists in investigating the expression of colibactin - a genotoxic compound - in intestinal E. coli and the effects it has on tumour formation. In particular, I am interested in understanding how dietary components may alter the pathogenicity of the E. coli strain Nissle 1917 and subsequently influence its role in the development of colorectal cancer.
During my PhD, I undertook a research stay in the Oswald Laboratory at the Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive (Toulouse, France). I have experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students and I was co-organiser of the University of Glasgow Bacteriology seminar series in 2021 and 2022.
Outside the lab, I am interested in Medical Humanities and Public Engagement. I am the founder of Bio-Lit Talks, an interdisciplinary project that brings together scientists, academics in the humanities, and artists to exchange perspectives on common, contemporary themes. I am also interested in the translational, biotechnological applications of microbial science. Alongside Dr. Hua Wang, I have participated in the Converge Kickstart Challenge, and was accepted on an accelerator programme by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre.
Publications
Addington, E., Sandalli, S. and Roe, A.J. (2024) 'Current understandings of colibactin regulation', Microbiology, 170(2), 001427, available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001427.
Hallam, J.C., Sandalli, S., Floria, I., Turner, N.C.A., Tang-Fichaux, M., Oswald, E., O'Boyle, N. and Roe, A.J. (2023) 'D-Serine reduces the expression of the cytopathic genotoxin colibactin', Microb Cell, 10(3), 63-77, available: http://dx.doi.org/10.15698/mic2023.03.793.
Prizes & Awards
2023
- Royal Society of Microbiology - Annual Conference – Best Poster Prize.
- School of Infection & Immunity Away Day Poster Prize, Poster Prize, 1st Place
2022
- Glasgow Medical Humanities Network - Early Career Foundation Award – financial grant awarded in support of Bio-Lit Talks.
- University of Glasgow School of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences – Engagement with Research Fund - Financial Grant awarded in support of Bio-Lit Talks.
2020
- University of Glasgow Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology - African Immunobiology of Parasites, Pathogens and Pathogenesis Course – Best Student Presentation.
