Secondment 13: From Biosfer Teslab to University of Milan

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Secondment 13: From Biosfer Teslab to University of Milan

“My secondment took place from January 27th to March 2nd at the Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari of the Università degli Studi di Milano (UNIMI), working under the supervision of Professor Paolo Magni. This enrichment experience has significantly contributed to my professional growth and expertise. My time at the UNIMI provided a unique opportunity to delve into atherosclerosis research. I actively participated in cutting-edge projects that aimed to unravel the complexities of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The members of Prof. Magni’s lab team taught me valuable techniques, significantly distinct from my routine practices at my home institution. These newfound skills hold great potential for future applications. Specifically, I gained expertise in characterizing oxidative stress within cells through ROS treatment, assessing cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity using MMT assays, conducting experiments to measure cellular metabolic activity and glucose transport through Glucose uptake experiments, evaluating gene expression through RNA extraction followed by qPCR, and utilizing two specialized equipment – the spectrophotometer Inspire and the Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) NOVOCYTE. Acquiring these various skills expands my abilities and enhances my capacity to face future research challenges. In addition to learning new techniques, I contributed to the reciprocal exchange of knowledge during my secondment. I shared insights and competencies regarding NMR-based metabolomics from Biosfer Teslab with Prof. Magni’s lab team. Our collaborative efforts extended in a comprehensive discussion of sample collection for omics analysis, where they instructed me in the cell collection process for proteomics analysis, and reciprocally, I shared my expertise in metabolomics sample collection. All this dynamic exchange of experiences proved to be a pivotal aspect of my secondment, creating a symbiotic relationship where we benefitted from a deeper understanding of each other’s capacities. During my secondment, I had the opportunity to attend in a one-day visit to the lipid section at the Gruppo Ospedaliero MultiMedica and the Biological Sales Network (BSN), all integral partners of the CardioSCOPE consortium. This visit allowed me to meet the work beyond the experimental research and extent laces with their teams.

My secondment at UNIMI not only enriched my professional journey but also provided a delightful personal experience. During my time there, the CardioSCOPE mid-term meeting took place within the department. I could join the interesting discussions during the coffee and lunch breaks, allowing me to connect with most of the coordinators from other institutions and promoting the exchange of fruitful ideas. Additionally, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with some members who had previously completed their secondments at Biosfer Teslab. Milan proved to be for me an enchanting city with several cosmopolitan environments and historic architecture. Its vibrant gastronomy and warm welcoming people enhanced my overall experience. Taking advantage of every weekend, I also explored other cities in Italy, discovering the rich history and diverse beauty of this wonderful country.

I am immensely grateful to Prof. Magni, the PhD students Laura Comi, Fationa Tolaj and Claudia Giglione, and the practical bachelor students at UNIMI. Not only are they exceptional researchers, but they are also very supportive and kind individuals. They included me as part of the team, demonstrating incredible hospitality, making several plans together, and creating a conducive atmosphere for learning and growth.

In conclusion, my secondment in UNIMI was an invaluable chapter, contributing significantly to both my personal and professional development. Working together with Prof. Magni’s lab team, I acquired capabilities in cell-based models for atherosclerosis, experimental techniques, and equipment utilization, thereby contributing to advancements in acute coronary syndrome research.

The enriching experience extended beyond research, allowing me to connect with colleagues and cultivate lasting relationships throughout this journey. In overall, this experience undoubtedly left a meaningful impact on me.

Dr Carla Melisa Merino Ruiz, Lab Manager in Biosfer Teslab

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