Work was conducted via 3 work packages (WPs).
The goal of Work Package 1 (WP1) was to improve my expertise in new methodologies, in particular baculovirus insect cell expression and electron microscopy (EM). I became proficient in both techniques. I applied my new skills to produce NMD proteins, reconstitute NMD complexes and analyse their structure by single-particle EM. This resulted in one publication and 2 manuscripts underway.
WP2 was focussed on my research skills and helping me to teach and share with others what I've learned. I attended several workshops to learn electron microscopy technique and others to further develop soft skills. Additionally, I have attended a one-year course in Leadership (Female leadership initiative, FLi, 2023) organized by University of Bristol, which gave me the opportunity to participate, learn and apply the new skills. I was also asked to share my experience at the introduction session of the subsequent, FLi 2024, course and to become an Action Learning facilitator for the FLi course 2024. I further attended the training sessions organized by the CREATE (Cultivating Research-rich Education and Teaching Excellence) HEA Fellowship scheme at the University of Bristol. I recently completed the submission of my portfolio for consideration as an HEA Associate Fellow (AFHEA) and expect to receive the outcome in mid-May 2024. I further developed skills in management, governance, communication, networking and funding seeking. In these two years I have actively participated in co-organising the Southwest Structural Biology conference 2022, organising seminars for the cryo-EM community in the southwest of UK, and I am a Biochemical Society Ambassador at the School of Biochemistry in Bristol. Ambassadors support the transfer of ideas between local molecular biologists and the Society, and also help to organise local events such as student receptions and sponsored seminars.
WP3 comprised the transfer of knowledge. I supervised and mentored for undergraduate Biochemistry students and PhD students, and new researchers in the team. I conducted workshops covering research techniques tailored for both Early-Stage Researchers and experienced researchers. I regularly presented my research progress at informal group meetings in the lab to discuss the advancement, experiments and technical problems encountered with other colleagues, at the electron microscopy user’s meetings, and at the whole-department seminars. I gave a seminar on research processes and research culture to Year 3 Students in Biochemistry.
I gave two lectures for the Biochemical methodologies course (Master’s level in Biochemistry) in April 2023 at University of Rome, Italy as invited lecturer.
I have enthusiastically contributed to outreach events. I participated in the Researcher’s night (Sep 2021 and 2022) and talked about my work to 11-years old pupils. As ongoing activity, I am currently exchanging mails with students at a secondary school in Italy, to talk about my role as a biochemist, how research is conducted and what the implications and applications of my research projects are.
My results will be reported in forthcoming papers providing structural and functional insights into NMD protein complexes which further our understanding of mRNA quality control mechanism. The new skills I gained during the grant helped me build a research network, lead a project, and provide the basis for my career as independent scientist.
