Nombre: Christiane Ott
Título: Dr. rer. nat. (PhD)
Institución:German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
País de origen: German
Área de investigación: Nutritional modulation of proteostasis in aging
Entrevista
¿En qué año estuviste en el CEINBIO y cuáles fueron los motivos para venir a MVD?
I visited CEINBIO in the spring of 2016, when I was still doing my PhD, trying to figure out whether protein nitration could directly affect proteasome function. And of course, if you are interested in protein nitration studies, there is no better place with a higher level of expertise than Rafael Radi's lab.
En lo científico, ¿qué te aportó el CEINBIO y cuáles fueron los hitos más destacables de tu estadía?
It was a great time. I was welcomed so warmly even though I couldn't speak a word of Spanish. All the people in the lab were so great and helpful. Particularly, I really enjoyed the collaborative scientific discussions and project planning. And I learned a lot about protein modifications by nitration and protein structure analysis by mass spectrometry, which we couldn't do in our German lab. Together we performed experiments where we shared our expertise on substrate nitration and proteasomal degradation and analysis of degradation products, which was very fruit- and successful. In addition to the joint laboratory work, I was also pleased to present our data at the CEINBIO Symposium on March 9-10, 2016, which was very exciting for me as PhD student. And finally, our work was so successful that it resulted in a joint publication in Redox Biology and a great friendship that continues until today.
En lo personal, ¿qué recuerdos tienes de tu visita en MVD?
Even though it's been a couple of years, I have so many great memories of my time in MVD that it's hard to describe them in a few words. The lab was great, but also the people and culture in MVD. I was lucky to be there in spring. The weather was fantastic, and I had the opportunity to participate in Carnaval and Cumbia, was able to visit the beautiful beaches and street markets, and I was fascinated by Mate tea. I captured all these memories in a photo book that I still proudly show to everyone.
¿Tienes una anécdota de tu visita que quieras compartir?
I was at MVD in the spring and St. Patrick's Day was coming up. The people from the lab were so kind to take me out. It was a great atmosphere, and they said we have a surprise for you. They took me to a German pub whose owner was originally from Germany. It was so funny, we talked a lot and he served us German beer in a 4-liter glass. It was also interesting to hear that he stayed in MVD because he fell in love with the city and the way of life. It was a wonderful evening.
In addition, during my stay we exchanged not only laboratory protocols, but also "culinary protocols." Florencia showed me how to make a traditional Milanesa, and I showed her how to make traditional German bread dumplings with mushrooms. That was awesome!
Personas que marcaron tu estadía
First of all, all the lab staff were fantastic and I would especially like to thank Rafael for the opportunity to work in his lab and for always being open and helpful in scientific discussions. Also, a special thanks to Silvina, who helped me a lot during my stay by picking me up from the airport and helping me with accommodation and bureaucracy. And a very special thanks goes to Nico and Florencia, my lab colleagues at CEINBIO, who planned and performed the experiments together with me and are dear friends until today.
¿Qué cosa de lo aprendido en tu estadía en CEINBIO has incorporado a tu práctica científica habitual?
Definitely, I learned a lot about protein nitration and the corresponding peptide modification, which might have a direct impact on proteolysis during aging and could contribute to the accumulation of 3-nitrotyrosine-modified proteins in aged tissues. Until today, I am interested in protein modification by nitration in proteolysis, especially in the heart.
Otras anécdotas que quieras compartir...
I could share a lot of stories around my research stay, because besides the great work in the lab, I experienced and saw a lot of the city, the culture and the way of life. It was my first time in South America and my first time abroad on my own without knowing a word of Spanish. I didn't know what to expect, but in the end, it was a fantastic time. All the people were so friendly and helpful and I experienced so much, scientifically and personally, that I can only recommend everyone to participate in such a great scientific exchange at CEINBIO.
