General Information about the Research Module

Taking the research module was probably the best decision I made last year. For my project in Prof. Hartig-Vielmuth’s lab, I investigated the influence of certain protein kinases on the cohesion of skin cells. As part of this, I performed immunofluorescence staining and then analyzed the results myself. Looking at something I had created myself under the microscope for the first time was a particularly cool moment for me. But I didn’t just learn an incredible amount about research; I also had a lot of fun in the lab. I got along great with everyone in the lab right away, so even our coffee breaks together became a real highlight for me. ;) On top of that, the research module opened many doors for me. The experiences and contacts I gained from it helped me successfully apply for a scholarship, for which I am very grateful. Many thanks to Prof. Hartig-Vielmuth, my advisor Chris (pictured), and the FM team for the great time. I personally highly recommend doing the research module. It’s definitely worth it!

Hi, I’m Abel, and as part of the 2025/26 research module, I had the opportunity to join Prof. Dr. med. Ulrich Wirth’s research group in the Department of Visceral Surgery at LMU. My research focused on the pro-apoptotic effects of tigecycline in combination with TRAIL in colorectal and leukemic cancer cell lines. During this time, I had the opportunity to learn about and perform many different molecular biology methods myself—including cell culture, Western blots, qPCR, flow cytometry, and proliferation assays. My time in the research lab was an incredibly valuable experience for me, both professionally and personally. In addition to the experiments, I especially remember the many fun and unforgettable moments in everyday lab life. Special thanks go to Dr. Frank Braun, my advisor, who supported me immensely and showed me what research truly means. Before the research module, I often imagined research as a straightforward process. In reality, I learned that it consists primarily of constant optimization, questioning, and “trial and error.” It was precisely through this that I came to understand how important structure, patience, and meticulous work are in the lab. Even on long or frustrating days, I could always count on the support of the doctoral students and lab staff. The motivated and friendly team played a major role in making me feel welcome at all times. Looking back, I am particularly proud of how much I was able to learn during this time. By the end, I was able to independently carry out many methods and procedures that I had never even heard of at the beginning. In addition to the professional experience, I am also grateful for the friendships and connections that will endure far beyond the research module.

Hi, we’re Avantika and Eva :) In our 2024/25 research module, we worked in Kristina Moll’s research group on the topic of cognitive predictors of reading and spelling disorders. Unlike many other experimental projects in the research module, we didn’t spend any time in the lab at all. We had the opportunity to work with many children and, for example, conduct reading and spelling tests with them. In the process, we also experienced just how much work goes into collecting, evaluating, and analyzing scientific data. The goal of our research was to identify meaningful predictors in early developmental stages and to examine their predictive power for later reading and spelling skills. It was a very valuable experience for both of us, during which we learned a great deal, including how to evaluate statistical results and how to systematically organize and present scientific data. A particular highlight for us was presenting our findings at Science Con, where we won first prize in the “Best Talk” category. The research module in the pre-clinical phase is truly a unique opportunity to gain structured insights into research early in one’s studies and to present one’s own findings. We greatly value this experience!

Dear future Research Module participants! Today I’d like to give you a glimpse into the Research Module at the Neher Lab at the DZNE (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases)! Hi, I’m Dagna. I participated in the FM in 2025/26, and today I’m going to introduce it to you in an “indirectly interactive” way that might already answer a few of your questions :)) What motivated you to participate in the FM? I saw it as a wonderful and unique opportunity to take my first steps in research early on in my studies (pre-clinical phase)—just to see if I liked it. The FM itself might seem like something very “daunting” and “unimaginably unattainable” at first, but at the end of the day, it really isn’t. It’s your chance to get a glimpse into the daily lives of scientists and, most importantly, to work hand in hand with them. That also means: you’re part of the team. At the same time, you can participate in scientific journal clubs, lab meetings, tours of the FM, and the “Highlights” lectures, thereby expanding your knowledge. The guidance from Ms. Canady and Ms. Ruiß is also incredibly great and very supportive, which is why there’s always someone by your side to help with any problem :) Where did you complete your FM + what did you do there? I did my FM in Prof. Dr. Jonas Neher’s lab at the DZNE, which is participating for the first time this year. There, I was supervised by Dr. Thomas Lewis and Dr. Anna Schmidtner. It was a truly great experience! I gained a lot of new skills, especially in terms of bench work, 3D reconstruction, and data analysis. The lab focuses on Alzheimer’s disease and places particular emphasis on the interplay between protein aggregation, vascular dysfunction, and aging. My project addressed the question of to what extent beta-amyloid plaques influence perineural networks (PNNs) around parvalbumin-positive interneurons (you can learn more about my project at this year’s MMS ScienceCon ). As part of this, I worked extensively with wafer-thin sections of mouse brains, which I was later able to stain using immunohistochemistry. The stained sections were also scanned for quantitative analysis (see video). In addition, I was able to view the sections under a confocal microscope, create Z-stacks, and later use them for 3D reconstruction (see 2nd video—CAUTION: the colors of the reconstructed cells are not the same as the color labels in the slide scanner images (1st video!)). All of these processes were incredibly fun, even though there were, of course, some ups and downs — but that’s completely normal :) If you found this little glimpse interesting, feel free to check out the lab’s website! https://www.neher-lab.de Was it difficult to fit the FM into your schedule? Since you have to complete at least 160 hours of lab work, which, at 8 hours a day, spreads out over 4 weeks—I felt, in terms of time commitment, that it was like a “fourth nursing internship”—but of course with totally different experiences. I did it during the winter break between the 3rd and 4th semesters, and it worked out really well! You can also do it during the semester—but I wanted to avoid that because of my parallel pre-residency hours. In other words: pre-residency + FM can be combined, and quite well at that ;) So if you’re thinking about doing both, you don’t have to give up on either one. What did you take away from the experience? That even if you feel like you’re not up to a certain task, you’re often underestimating yourself. Especially in a new environment like this, self-doubt can creep in quickly—I was, of course, a little afraid myself that I wasn’t good enough for this spot, but that’s really just a mindset thing! Ultimately, you’ve made it into this program for a specific reason, and look how far you’ve already come! So, take heart What would be your general tips? Best tip: – just try things out; In principle, it doesn’t really matter where you start your research journey, since every lab will offer you valuable insights from different perspectives! :) Of course, if you already know which direction you might want to go in later, it’s advantageous to join a group that matches your interests: Especially if, for example, you’re generally interested in neuroscience— which is a broad term in itself—you could use the FM to explore a subfield and decide whether you might want to pursue a career related to this specific area later on (including with a view to a potential doctoral thesis). Another benefit the FM offers you is that you are not required to complete the OZS courses (at the end of the 4th semester). I wish you the best of luck with your application. Dagna Dąbrowska

FM 2025/26: Mingrui Yuan Experimental Aortic Surgery Research Group Advisor: Dr. Joscha Büch In my research module, I focused on gene expression in aortic aneurysms—lots of PCR (polymerase chain reaction), lots of patience, and many moments of wonder, both big and small. Things never go perfectly in the lab. Various problems crop up time and again, but it is precisely these that offer the best opportunities for growth. I also learned how to present my project to others, how to write a grant proposal, and how much a good idea or a question can contribute to others. For me, that is exactly the point of the research module: not just talking, but doing, failing, understanding, and then moving forward. I am very grateful for this experience. It was extremely valuable. Best regards, Mingrui Yuan

As part of the research module, I had the unique opportunity to delve deeply into fundamental questions in cardiovascular research within the Yeruva Lab. My project focused on structural changes in the luster bands associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, with a particular emphasis on the organization and function of desmosomal proteins. It was always fascinating for me to see the chromophore-labeled antibodies light up under the confocal microscope, thereby revealing exactly where “my” proteins were located within the cell. At the same time, the lab work was marked by moments of searching and questioning: from samples with unexpectedly high background signals, where I mentally went through every single washing step again, to situations where I struggled to even locate my samples—which were only a few cardiomyocytes long—in the microscope field. It was precisely these phases of doubt and troubleshooting that impressively conveyed to me how much scientific work depends on precision and an iterative approach. I particularly remember the hours spent in the confocal microscopy room—shielded, without daylight, and without cell service—during which my supervisory team regularly checked on me and asked if everything was working. Likewise, there were moments when it was offered to me as a matter of course to take over the final washing steps when I had to leave for my nursing internship. These small, almost inconspicuous gestures of support played a major role in making me feel well taken care of at all times. I look back on this time with great gratitude—a time when intellectual fascination, experimental challenges, and human support came together in a special way, leaving a lasting impact on me both professionally and personally.

I was part of the class of 2022/23 and completed my FM internship in the working group of Dr. Attila Braun and Dr. Elmina Bach. There I researched whether blood platelets can "wake up" dormant cancer cells. To do this, I treated dormant tumor cells with platelets and used a special stain to measure whether they divide more frequently. This is important because dormant cancer cells are difficult to destroy and can lead to cancer recurring years later. However, the highlight for me was above all the other students. A big thank you to Dr. Chao Han, a PhD student, who guided me competently and caringly through what was sometimes very time-consuming and new work for me. At ScienceCon, I won the 2nd prize for presentations by young researchers. It was fascinating to put the knowledge from my medical studies into a larger scientific context. The world of research is wider than the sun and deeper than the Atlantic.

Thirty years ago, my father had the opportunity to complete an internship abroad thanks to a DAAD scholarship—this year, it was my turn. As part of the RISE Worldwide scholarship program, I was able to spend a month and a half in the Department of Virology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where I also completed the 2024/2025 research module—the first student to do so in a foreign laboratory. During my time at the Tygerberg Medical Campus, I conducted research on sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). Using blood samples taken from the morgue, we performed PBMC extractions, which were then examined for immune markers. In addition, we analyzed nasopharyngeal and lung swabs for the most common respiratory viruses. In developed countries, SUDI is considered one of the leading preventable causes of death in infants. In developing regions, such as large parts of Africa, however, there are many cases of SUDI. Nevertheless, there are hardly any published studies on this topic, and SUDI is not yet considered a priority health issue there. The aim of the working group is therefore to investigate the virome of the upper and lower respiratory tract in these cases and, with the help of statistical analyses, to describe the spread of respiratory viruses and the distribution of immunological data, as well as to identify possible links between certain viruses and immune biomarkers. In addition, sociodemographic information (age, gender, season, living situation, etc.) will be correlated with known risk factors for SUDI. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the DAAD, my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Preiser, and the research module team, especially Ms. Romana Ruiß, for this unique opportunity.

Hi, I am Simona and I was part of the 2022/2023 research module. I carried out my project entitled "Semi-automatic quantification analysis of direct neuronal reprogramming efficiency" in the lab of Prof. Magdalena Götz under the supervision of Giacomo Masserdotti, PhD, as my supervisor.During this time, I tested (semi-)automatic cell counting with a FIJI/ImageJ software plug-in developed by the lab and received the Best Poster Award of the MMS Science Conference 2023, for which I am very grateful.I greatly appreciate the experience and opportunities that have come from the research module. Due to my existing research interest, I applied for the "DAAD RISE Worldwide 2024" program abroad. Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to complete a three-month laboratory internship at Western Sydney University in Australia in the laboratory of A/Prof. Gyengesi (Neurodegenerative Diseases and Neuroinflammation).A big thank you to Giacomo, Florian, Prof. Götz and Dr. Ruiß for the valuable experience that the research module gave me!

Hi, I'm Taehee and I was part of the 2023-2024 research module. I was in AG Dietrich, and my project was: Age-driven changes in lung morphology of TRPC6-deficient mice. The research module is a really great way to learn research without pressure. There are also many workshops, such as abstract writing, which I found very helpful. Many thanks to Professor Dietrich and my supervisor Lena Schaller for making the research module an enriching and exciting experience!

My project for the 2023/24 research module was entitled: "Where can the most B-and T-cells be found in the upper airway epithelium?". My experiment was essentially about taking swabs from three locations (nose, throat and nasopharynx) from study participants and determining the number of cells by flow cytometry. I was also able to draw some conclusions from the data: B cells and natural killer cells are more common in throat swabs, while T cells are more common in nasopharyngeal swabs. In addition, more CD8 cells than CD4 cells were found in all swabs. Many thanks to my supervisors Dr. Christof Geldmacher and Tabea Eser and to Romana Ruiß for the great organization. The research module was one of the best and most instructive experiences I have had in the field of research!

Hi, I'm Liv and I did my FM in Prof. Michael Meyer's neurophysiology lab. The title of my own small project was "Secretagogin interaction partners affecting insulin secretion and circulation"! In the lab, I worked a lot with cell cultures, Western blots and immunoprecipitations and finally carried out mass spectrometry. Interpreting the results of this was particularly exciting! Overall, the research module was really a great opportunity to get a first insight into experimental research by trying out different methods and experiencing the atmosphere in the lab! I liked it so much that I am now doing an experimental doctoral thesis! Many thanks to Prof. Meyer and Ms. Ruiß for their great support!

Hi, I'm Belinda and I was part of the research module in the Grimm working group in 2023/2024. Together, we worked on the project “Lysosomal TMEM165 controls cellular ion homeostasis and survival by mediating lysosomal Ca2+ import and H+ efflux,” which was finally published this year (2025) in Nature Communications—with me as a co-author. My research focused on exploring ion channels at the lysosomal membrane using genetic modification, overexpression and knockout models, and calcium imaging. Dysfunction of the lysosomes can lead to serious diseases such as mucolipidosis or cancer. For me, the research module was one of the most impressive experiences of my preclinical studies. It gave me the opportunity not only to learn a great deal in a short period of time, but also to combine theoretical knowledge from my studies with practical experience at a very early stage. It was particularly enriching to learn how to deal with new challenges independently (it is completely normal that not everything works out on the first try, or even on the second!) and to be encouraged to think creatively. I can wholeheartedly recommend the research module to anyone who is interested in research or simply looking for an exciting challenge. Many thanks to Prof. Dr. Dr. Grimm and Veronika Kudrina as my supervisors, as well as to the rest of the lab team, who welcomed me so warmly.