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Interdisciplinarity in diabetes research |
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Carsten Danzer |
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For a graduate of Cell Biology from Constance it seemed a good choice to look for a position in a PhD program in Zurich after receiving his degree. Carsten Danzer knew that he wanted to conduct research in the vast area of metabolic diseases, ideally with a project that did not merely include basic research but was more geared towards the medical aspect. There are two reasons he is doing his PhD in Zurich and not in Berlin or Heidelberg: for one, he found just the PhD position he was looking for in the group of Wilhelm Krek at the Institute of Cell Biology at the ETH. And secondly: from the time of his job interview to the day he started working at the Hönggerberg only two months went by – this left no time to seriously consider the applications he had already sent to other universities. The proximity to Constance is certainly a plus in the case of Zurich, since his girlfriend is doing her PhD in Constance. Most of all, Carsten appreciates the fact that it is only a stone's throw from the city on the Limmat to the mountains, a place where he finds an ideal balance to the long hours in the lab, enjoying activities like hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking or skiing – a rare pleasure, unfortunately.
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In his project “Analysis of protein network dynamics in pancreatic beta cells” Carsten Dancer is trying to improve the understanding of the disease course of type 2 diabetes using mass spectrometry and state-of-the-art techniques in bioinformatics on obese laboratory mice. He is participating in a Roche project, but apart from the industry there is also close collaboration with a group from the Institute of Clinical Pathology at the University Hospital of Zurich. Particularly important is also the regular exchange with the proteomics experts. Having a specialist for bioinformatics in the same office is not only practical but it also encourages the interaction to a great extent. Carsten appreciates this interdisciplinary aspect of his project as well as the insight into the various techniques. But he also emphasizes the good atmosphere in the large group and the fact that one can always count on help and constructive feedback. Being able to participate in the PhD program on "Systems Biology of Complex Diseases" is – apart from the already excellent working conditions at the ETH – the icing on the cake. The courses offered are exciting and provide helpful insight into other working methods. In addition, the regular contact with other PhD students facilitates new collaborations and helps build a network which in turn encourages the cohesion and interaction.
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Carsten started his PhD in Zurich in July of 2005, and is now about half way through his three- to four-year doctorate. His goal of following through with the project to a reasonable end and not having to finish it in the middle of things fortunately seems more attainable at this point than it once was. For a long time, the enormous amount of data being produced made it relatively difficult to see the concrete output and assess which data are actually usable. Even though it will still take quite a while for him to finish his PhD, Carsten already has some ideas about what he wants to do afterwards. An extensive journey will compensate for the fact that while studying and doing a PhD one can never take a long holiday and that trips abroad are often limited to extended weekends. After his vacation he will follow up with a postdoc, however, he has not yet made the decision for either the industry or academia. Carsten definitely wants to stay in research, but it does not need to be the same research area. The field of metabolic diseases is so vast and the opportunities Systems Biology offers to researchers are so varied that Carsten is confident of again finding a project that will grab him wholeheartedly.
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Carsten Danzer is a PhD student at the Institute of Cell Biology of the ETH Zurich and member of the PhD program of Systems Biology of Complex Diseases
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Author: Dr. Susanna Bachmann, administrator of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School |
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Video clips with Erica Bogan |
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Erica Bogan grew up in Costa Rica and speaks Spanish fluently. In the interview, however, she answers effortlessly in German and English! Even though at the moment she spends 10 to 12 hours a day in the lab, she is not yet sure about her future in hard-core research. What other possibilities are there? See for yourself in the video clips with Erica.
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An infection of the intestine |
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Cramps in the stomach and the intestine often occur shortly after a vacation in exotic countries. The bacterium Salmonella Typhimurium causes strong inflammatory reactions in the gastrointestinal tract - which if the worst comes to the worst - can even lead to death. In her research project Kathrin Endt examines the mechanisms which are involved in this inflammation.
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An enthusiastic cancer biologist |
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Natko Nuber did not only establish a new circle of friends in Zurich he also became acquainted with a completely new research field. At the University Hospital he is working on melanoma.
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