“During my secondment at BSN, I had the opportunity to acquire experience in an industry laboratory as well as in diagnostic tests.
The first day at BSN consisted in a tour of the facility which helped me understanding the structure and the workflow of a medical company as well as the workflow of a research and development laboratory, from testing to production. Mr. Giacinto Guercilena presented the history and the ideas of the company, besides the present status of their work in developing the producing medical kits based on HPLC and LC-MS. We discussed about the high range of applicability of this techniques and their importance in the clinical field compared to other techniques.
Initially, I learnt about HPLC and LC-MS. I had the opportunity to see the components of LC-MS and understand the processes involved with this technique. I was trained in the preparation of different type of samples and how to choose a specific sample type corresponding to marker that in searched. I learnt about the detection of different kind of markers that can impact cardiovascular system, kidneys, bone metabolism or just for monitoring a pre-existing therapy. Because of this training, I became familiar with the sample preparation, quality control and validation of the test.
Considering that I have an academic background, it was fascinating to observe and to learn about the workflow in an industrial laboratory. We discussed about the necessities in the medical field and the opportunity to develop a kit. I participated in the preparation of reagents for different kits. I learnt the troubleshooting for various problems that some customers had regarding the setup of the equipment.
Besides the practical aspect of my secondment, I learnt about the different aspect of an industrial laboratory and the workflow from testing the idea to scaling it up to an industrial level. Overall, my secondment at BSN helped me to expand my knowledge about HPLC and LC-MS, techniques that are used more and more this days. I am also thankful because I had the opportunity to observe and be part of the industrial branch and to learn about all the processes involved in the laboratory and between the laboratory and the customers. The glimpse into the research outside the academia is very valuable to me and I am sure it will play a major role my development as a scientist.”
Marius Gabriel Mulțescu, PhD student, Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicoale Simionescu”
“My experience at BSN was extremely valuable, offering me a direct and comprehensive perspective on the industrial work environment, with a special focus on the field of in vitro diagnostic medical kit production. This hands-on experience allowed me to understand the complexity and importance of this field in the current medical context.
Mr. Giacinto Guercilena played an essential role in my integration into the company. In addition to introducing the team, Mr. Guercilena provided a detailed and useful presentation of the company’s procedures for developing and producing diagnostic kits. I was impressed by the professionalism and expertise demonstrated in the use of advanced HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) technologies. The extensive tour of the facility, with clear and concise explanations of each process and equipment used in each stage of production, was particularly instructive and gave me a clear picture of the workflow. Initially, I was familiarized with the theory, fundamental principles, and mechanics behind HPLC and LC-MS/MS technologies, thus laying the foundation for a solid understanding of subsequent processes.
Practical training was a key component of my experience at BSN. I had the unique opportunity to directly observe the standard operating procedures for handling and processing human samples. I learned how to prepare serum samples, along with the preparation of calibrators and quality controls, essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of HPLC and LC-MS methods. I also had the opportunity to learn the basics of Multi Quant software, a tool for analyzing and interpreting data generated by LC-MS/MS systems, thus acquiring skills in analytical data processing.
Another important aspect of my experience was the direct involvement in the production of reagents for diagnostic kits. I participated in various stages of this process, including the complex procedures of lyophilization, a technique for preserving biological substances, and the rigorous quality control testing of these reagents, thus ensuring compliance with the company’s high standards.
Furthermore, I was able to see the troubleshooting and technical support processes for various customer requests, providing solutions related to modifying work protocols or configuring equipment, thus developing problem-solving and technical communication skills.
Beyond the practical training in laboratory methods, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to understand the dynamics and culture of a research company outside the traditional academic environment. This perspective gave me a clearer understanding of how scientific research is translated into practical applications and concrete products. I consider this experience truly transformative, and I am immensely grateful for the knowledge I gained at BSN Castelleone. This secondment has significantly enhanced my expertise in Chromatography, a sophisticated domain crucial to cutting-edge biomedical research. “
Radu Ionita, PhD student, Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicoale Simionescu”
