Paulo Alexandre Sasputa Catimba, that’s my name, I’m an Angolan research technician at cisa. I am currently working on some projects with sickle cell disease patients in Angola, my secondment was at the School of Health Technology of Lisbon.
First, however, I want to point out that this internship program is not only limited to the processing of blood to obtain results, but pertinent, rigorous and mandatory online courses have been carried out with certification in the first few weeks.
I have to highlight the following courses: Good Clinical Practices, Basic Molecular Biology, DNA Extraction, Real-time PCR and Laboratory Practice.
The above-mentioned courses prepared me for the reality of the training that I would have ahead of me in the laboratory, since the general objective of the training was to carry out an internship in Molecular Biology and the specific objective of the isoelectric focusing technique – IEF. After finishing the online courses, I had the opportunity to get in touch with the laboratory, in which it was under the tutelage of Mrs. Catarina Ginete, and supervised by Professor Dr. Miguel Brito.
After a few days of observation I had the opportunity to start dealing with the techniques without or with supervision, which in turn gave me more skill and confidence. And as times went by, I improved my skills and my performance.
Throughout the training process I had the opportunity to learn the technique of electrophoresis, DNA extraction, amplification of Real-Time and conventional PCR, reading and interpretation of gel.
After an arduous period of learning and experience, I have to highlight the following, regarding the technique of IEF isoelectric focusing and agarose gel electrophoresis, I had the opportunity to learn and improve the same techniques. Regarding DNA extraction and PCR amplification, I had the opportunity to learn and perform the same techniques.
These magnificent achievements or gains could not be possible without the enormous effort of the management team of ARISE in the person of Mrs. Serena, of ESTeSL, of Dr. Miguel Brito’s research team, and fundamentally of INIS/CISA. And I want to take this opportunity to thank Technician Catarina Ginete, for the patience, attention, dedication and simplicity she had in transmitting the programmed contents as theoretical and practical.
And by the way, it was magnificent to be in Portugal, particularly Lisbon, I had the opportunity to learn not only technically, but also explored some magnificent places, such as Cascais beach, Belém tower, presidential palace, Algés, Amadora, Almada, Rossio, Oriente, Colombo and with emphasis the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Paulo Sasputa Catimba’s experience
