Lab Experience at the Cardiovascular Preclinical Research Laboratory – Mario Negri Institute – Georgiana Costandache

My name is Georgiana Costandache, and as a member of the 7^th Cohort of the Virgilio Program, I had the honour of completing my first lab rotation at the Mario Negri Institute’s Cardiovascular Preclinical Research Laboratory. Supported by my mentor Prof. Giuseppe Citerio and guided by Dr. Elisa Roncati Zanier and my tutor Dr. Francesca Fumagalli, I was excited to join such a prestigious institution.

My Experience & Learnings

This experience was more than just an educational opportunity: it was an immersion into the core of medical research. I engaged with projects that could transform our understanding and treatment of heart disease. My passion for cardiology only intensified throughout my time here. The heart has always intrigued me: it is the organ of life, beating tirelessly and carrying our energy. This opportunity allowed me to engage with its complexities, not through textbooks, but through direct, hands-on experimentation.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, which highlights the critical need for research in this field. One of our primary focuses was the investigation of Dapagliflozin and Empagliflozin, drugs already known for their efficacy in diabetes management, but with promising cardioprotective effects and implications for cardiac health. I also had the opportunity to engage with several other impactful projects, including those focused on T3 nanoparticles, the kynurenine pathway and cardiac remodelling, the heart-brain axis in epilepsy, cardiac dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and the complex links between heart failure and cancer. These projects hold the potential for a profound impact, opening new doors in the field, translating into life-saving innovations, expanding treatment options, and offering hope for the future.

The laboratory work involving animal models brought me closer to the reality of patient care. Though our subjects were animals, the ethical responsibility of our work felt deeply human. Performing surgeries on these small, vulnerable lives made each incision, each stitch, a reminder of the fine line between life and death. A single misstep—a millisecond’s delay in defibrillation or a slight dosing error—could cost a life. I was constantly reminded of the privilege and responsibility of working so closely with life in any form. Some moments were difficult, especially when a surgery led to an animal’s loss, yet I recognized the greater purpose of these experiments and their potential to save countless lives. This environment, with its high standards and demands for precision, often felt challenging. There was a need for constant readiness: experiments depended on precise timing and absolute focus, especially in cardiovascular procedures where a small error could mean a failed trial. The stress was part of the process, and so was the satisfaction that came with each successful procedure, knowing how lives might one day benefit from what we were learning.

During this rotation, I developed essential lab skills, from microtome cutting and paraffin embedding to histological staining (HE and Sirius red) and virtual slide scanning. I learned about cardiac biomarkers and echocardiography and understood how critical precise data management is. Often seen as a routine part of research, I came to realize that the meticulous hours spent documenting data accurately were as crucial as the hands-on experimentation itself. While the transition from a medical background to the world of lab research posed its challenges, each day offered the opportunity to refine my techniques and expand my knowledge.

My experience extended beyond practical skills. Attending departmental meetings, seminars, and conferences enriched my understanding of the scientific landscape. Each presentation revealed the breadth of research at Mario Negri. Seeing others share their findings and publish articles was a powerful glimpse into the academic community I aspire to join.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside some of the most brilliant and dedicated researchers in this field. Their teamwork and dedication demonstrated the power of collaboration in advancing research. Their passion and insight were truly inspiring, and I hope to contribute to the field one day as they do.

Looking back on my time at Mario Negri, I am amazed at how much I learned within a month. Although it was a short time to master such a vast field, it gave me a solid foundation. This experience has strengthened my dedication to cardiology, and I look forward to continuing my journey in cardiovascular research.