“From September 21st to November 19th, I participated in a secondment at Genetic Lab (GL) in Bucharest, working on tasks related to Work Package 3. This placement provided me with the opportunity to bridge the gap between my academic training and the practical applications of molecular diagnostics in a private-sector environment.
My academic background includes a degree in Biology with a specialization in Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, a Master’s in “Molecular Basis of Human Diseases” from the University of Crete, and ongoing PhD research on the association between cardiovascular disease and autoimmunity. The focus of my doctoral studies aligns closely with the scope of this secondment, as it explores mechanisms and markers relevant to cardiovascular health, adding further significance to my work at Genetic Lab.
The welcoming environment at Genetic Lab played a key role in making this transition seamless. Dr. Florentin Nitu and the laboratory team introduced me to the lab’s operations and cutting-edge technologies, including PCR systems and automated workflows. This thorough induction helped me grasp the practical applications of molecular diagnostics in areas such as prenatal screening, genetic predisposition tests, and pathogen detection. During my secondment, I also had the opportunity to visit the laboratory of Anca Gafencu at the Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” (ICBP). This visit enriched my experience by exposing me to complementary approaches in molecular biology and the translational applications of research.
One of the most memorable aspects of the secondment was observing part of the analysis of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) results tailored for clinical use. This exposure gave me an in-depth understanding of how advanced genomic techniques use genomic and transcriptomic markers in real-world scenarios to address patient needs. Additionally, I had the chance to refine my laboratory skills by engaging in procedures such as nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR, and data interpretation. These activities highlighted the importance of precision and reproducibility in diagnostics. Adjusting to life in a new city for two months was both challenging and rewarding. Bucharest, with its vibrant atmosphere and rich history, offered countless opportunities to explore and immerse myself in a different culture. A weekend visit to Sinaia added an extra layer of adventure to my time abroad, allowing me to step back and appreciate the region’s natural beauty. This secondment was a pivotal experience that not only enhanced my scientific expertise but also provided valuable insights into the operational dynamics of a private-sector company. It broadened my perspective on the practical applications of biomedical science and highlighted the significance of collaboration between research and diagnostics. The experience reinforced myappreciation for the role of molecular diagnostics in healthcare and opened the door to potential future collaborations in this field.”
Isidoros Axiotis, PhD student, University of Crete, Medical School
“My secondement in Bucharest, Romania was done in the context of the European Program MCSA-SE CardioSCOPE (Comprehensive and personalized assessment of acute coronary syndrome by multiomic approach and artificial intelligence strategy). The period of my secondment was 16/10/2024 – 19/11/2024. During my secondment:
- I paid several visits to my host, GENETIC LAB, where I had meetings with the President and the Vice President as well as with the research stuff regarding the research focus of the company as well as the services provided and the infrastructure currently installed and used. I was especially interested in the instruments used for Next Generation Sequencing (DNA and RNA) and its applications to diseases diagnosis. The stuff explained the operation of these instruments for specific projects currently running in the company and their potential utilization for research projects and I had the opportunity to receive some basic training in using some of these instruments myself. We also discussed issues related to standardization and the pre-analytical stages of the processing of the clinical samples and how these are applied to the collection of samples from patients with Cardiovascular Diseases which are of special interest to our CardioSCOPE project. We explored potential collaborations between Genetic Lab and the University of Crete in the context of EU proposals and we discussed the possibility of a CardioSCOPE secondment of GENETIC LAB stuff to Crete in 2025.
- I had the opportunity to visit the ICBP (Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology Nicolae Simionescu) in Bucharest and have several meetings with my collaborator and CardioSCOPE member Dr Anca Gafencu and the members of her team and discuss about their projects. I also met the Director of ICBP, member of the Romanian Academy of Sciences Dr Maya Simionescu, who invited me to give several talks to ICBP researchers and students. I gave a total of four lectures with the following titles:
- The role of dyslipidemia in fatty liver and chronic inflammatory diseases: new findings from animal models
- Lipoprotein pathways and their role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
- Transcriptional Regulation of Cardiovascular Gene Expression
- Nuclear receptors in Cardiovascular Diseases: from basic biology to clinical exploitation
The lectures took place at the Aula of ICBP and were attended by ICBP researchers as well as personnel from the GENETIC LAB.
- I had the opportunity to visit several places of interest in Bucharest as well as in the countryside (I attended a horse-racing competition in Ploesti) and get familiar with the Romanian culture, architecture and cuisine. “
Dr Dimitris Kardassis, University of Crete, Medical School
