Aleksandra Chybowska on using biomarkers to predict cardiovascular disease

Please tell us about your research project, research interests and how your work involves genomics or makes use of genomic technologies 

My research looks at how we can predict cardiovascular disease long before the first symptoms appear. This is important because cardiovascular disease is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Traditional risk factors, such as smoking or high blood pressure, explain only part of the story - two people with the same profile can still have very different outcomes. That is why I also look at genetics, epigenetics, and proteins in the blood. By combining these “multi-omic” layers with known risk factors, I aim to see whether we can get a clearer, more accurate picture of who is most at risk.

Please tell us about your recent publication

In my recent work, I investigated how smoking alters DNA in both blood and brain. Published in Nature Communications (link below), the paper highlights key differences between array-based and sequencing-based approaches to measuring DNA methylation - a chemical modification of DNA that does not change its sequence. As part of this study, I also developed a biomarker of smoking that could be integrated into cardiovascular disease risk prediction tools, potentially enhancing the identification of individuals at elevated risk.

Please summarise your previous work and career so far.

I earned a BEng in Computer Science from The Silesian University of Technology (Poland) in 2015 and began my career as a software developer. In 2016, I pursued an MSci in Biotechnology at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) while continuing part-time in software development. During my degree, I applied next-generation sequencing to study the genomic epidemiology of infectious diseases caused by Candida species. Since 2021, I have been a Precision Medicine PhD student in the Marioni group at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland), working on next-generation sequencing in epigenetic epidemiology - a field that has traditionally relied on array-based technologies. I integrate these epigenetic data with other multi-omic features to improve the prediction and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

What inspired you to follow your career path?

As a child, I admired my uncle, who was a computer scientist. Being able to write software seemed incredibly “cool”. I started using Linux when I was in primary school, which, at the time, meant my mom had to buy a couple of new printers (because installing non-standard printers in Linux often required writing custom drivers - an adventure in itself). Around the same time, I wrote my first calculator in C - while playing outside, in a notebook. Do not ask me why I had a pencil and notebook while playing outside.

Programming taught me that you cannot build something you do not understand. To program effectively, you need to understand deeply how things work. That curiosity extended beyond computers, and I became fascinated with understanding how humans work. I wanted to understand the body, how it functions, and more importantly, why it malfunctions. A few coincidences later, this led me to another country, where I now use my coding skills to study the molecular epidemiology of diseases.

If you could have tea with anyone (alive or dead), who would it be? What would you talk about?

I would love to meet Charles Darwin and Nikola Tesla. Both faced difficult days and got into trouble for following their passions. I would want to show them how their work transformed the world - I think they should know the impact they had.

I would also love to have a conversation with Leonardo da Vinci and Ada Lovelace. What extraordinary minds!

What is the most unusual thing you have done during your career?

Almost 10 years ago, I extracted my DNA and gave it to my husband. He has kept it safe ever since (see the photo below, unfortunately DNA is not clearly visible but it is there). After all, every software engineer knows - you should always keep access to the source code.

Do you have any advice for people wanting to pursue a research career? What do you like best about your job? What do you like the least?

If you want to pursue a research career, I would recommend starting with an apprenticeship or a research placement. Gaining prior research experience can take you a long way. Try to find a way to talk with your potential supervisor and see if you understand one another - a research placement can help with this too.

Working as a scientist is incredibly rewarding. Your work can have a real impact on people’s lives and, sometimes, even change the world. How often that happens is another story, but the perspective is always there. For me, it is also the most interesting job imaginable - you will never be bored.

At the same time, being a scientist can be demanding. Following your passion may require moving to another country, far from family and friends. For me, this remains the hardest part.

How do you spend your time outside of research? 

I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. There are still many parts of Scotland we have yet to explore - we have to get there!

Links

Marioni Group website (external link)

Institute of Genetics and Cancer