I have spent two weeks in Cologne working in two laboratories: Alexandra Trifunivic at CECAD and Thomas Langer at MPI. In Trifunovic lab, I learned how to properly perform sucrose density gradients for mitoribosome separation and applied it to my project, which is a characterization of a novel mitochondrial protein that is possibly involved in mitochondrial gene expression. Thanks to the extensive support from the lab members, I managed to obtain plenty of material for the analysis of proteins’ mitoribosome association that I can easily analyze at my home lab. 

At MPI, I performed a proteomics experiment on cells with knockout of my gene of interest. I have gotten a hands-on experience of mass spectrometry sample preparation which significantly broaden my knowledge about the techniques used for this. As a result of this experiment, I got a complete analysis of proteome changes in my cells, which helped me to adjust my project plan. Possibly, we will continue the collaboration and I will come back to repeat the experiment with a new cell model.  

The scientific life in CECAD and MPI impresses with its intensity. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic was already starting so most of the activities were cancelled.  Still, I had a chance to join a CECAD mitochondrial seminar, as well as a research seminar in Trifunovic’s lab and enjoyed a lot both the talk and an intensive discussion afterwards.