by Rose Kohlie
For two months (06.06.–05.08.2016) I stayed at the Center for Biomedicine of the European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC) in the heart of the Alps as part of my research abroad. I joined the Neuromedicine Group headed by Professor Peter Pramstaller, who focused his research on molecular genetics of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) particularly on mitochondrial function in PD.
The aim of my project is to characterise direct effects of dopamine on mitochondrial functions and mass in brown adipocytes. During my stay in Bolzano I measured mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) after dopamine treatment. Furthermore, I was able to evaluate the change of mitochondrial morphology after dopamine treatment.
My research stay in Bolzano has offered me a great opportunity to learn new experimental methods such as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell culture. Besides, I gained immense knowledge through the daily discussion in a very international and interdisciplinary team.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to GRK1957 who has helped me realise this research stay while reconciling my needs to take care of two kids at the same time. I would also like to thank the lab colleagues in Bolzano for their kind support during my stay.
