Lab Experience Personal reflection – Adrian Safa
Lab Experience Personal reflection
Adrian Safa, Virgilio 3° Cohort Student, HUMANITAS
I got the opportunity to do my 2nd lab rotation at the Laboratory of Neuroscience
PI of the laboratory: Prof. Michela Matteoli
Tutor: Dr. Raffaella Morini
The lab focuses on studying the role of the TREM2 in microglia involved in immune-synaptopathologies.
My experience & learnings
I have been always fascinated by the brain and neuroscience has always appealed me. The idea to investigate this beautiful organ is very fascinating and this lab rotation represented the best way to integrate my clinical interest with this research field. I am really interested in neuroimmunology and studying the application of the microglia’s role in the neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative pathologies was a great opportunity to deepen my knowledge and passion in it.
During this experience, I was introduced to the neuroscience research environment, and I was guided by an amazing team that helped me to contribute and worked on different projects. I focused mainly on the role of TREM2 in synapse elimination and normal brain connectivity, which could be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. My greatest experience was to assist some exciting results of an experiment conducted by one of my tutors, which aimed at finding the ligands of TREM2 in rat brain tissues. I had also the chance to practice different techniques for the first time, such as the immunofluorescence coloration on rat brain slices. This allowed me to familiarize with pipetting, preparing solution and making the various scientific calculations. Such an amazing opportunity to be useful and learn at the same time!
I was then introduced to a unique translational project regarding Azlheimer’s disease and it was so fascinating to hear about the important results that physicial activity and psychological rehabilitation could evoke in mild cognitive impairment patients.
Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity to combine my clinical interest with the neuroscience research field during my routine, following my dream to integrate them in the future.
