My name is Charlie Leboff a Master’s graduate in Biochemistry and Genetics, and soon to be PhD student from the United Kingdom. I recently completed a two-month secondment with the African Research and Innovative Initiative for Sickle cell Education (ARISE) programme hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), from May to July 2024, supported by ARISE and the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath). The aims of my secondment were to train in molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics and science communication related to sickle cell disease (SCD).
The primary activity was to train with Dr Binal Shah of the Sickle Cell department at UIC in a molecular biology technique, with broad use in modern research, called quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). This technique is used to study how cells use their genetic material (the “expression” of genes in cells) by measuring the levels of RNA in a sample. This is a useful technique in research as it can be used to study the roles of gene modifiers and other genes that may affect the severity of sickle cell disease. This experience also taught me how significant a well-structured training process can be to the student. I saw one of these important concepts in action: the mentor demonstrating a technique first, then the student attempting the technique with supervision, and then the student trying the technique unsupervised. Furthermore, building an environment where the mentor is approachable, and questions can always be asked is pivotal. Dr Shah started with “book learning” (the fundamentals of qRT-PCR), then moved onto thinking about the kind of data that would be generated (training in the analysis of qRT-PCR data). After this initial training, the subsequent “hands-on training” in the qRT-PCR technique was much easier to understand.
I further observed this well-structured training through my secondary objective, to broaden my training in bioinformatics, which involved a one-week course hosted by the informatics research core of UIC. This included training in R and Linux programming and how these could be applied to the analysis of different types of DNA and RNA sequencing data. The instructors of this course employed a training structure consisting of taught content from slides, alongside intermittent practical exercises. The participants were led to engage with and understand the learning content. An environment of approachability was also present during this course with questions being encouraged, which was particularly useful for those who had no prior knowledge of programming.
My final training was in science communication from Dr Lewis Hsu, the principal investigator from UIC for the ARISE project. Dr Hsu provided me with highly valuable insight into the importance of presenting scientific topics to the public in a clear and accessible way. This is particularly important for diseases such as SCD and thalassaemia, where educating the public and patients about the disease can be pivotal to the successful health care. Communication is vital when inviting the general public to join in screening programmes. Communication is also vital to prepare adolescents to transition into adulthood. I also learned general principles for training scientists.
I would like to thank everyone involved in the ARISE project and UIC for this opportunity, with particular gratitude to Dr Lewis Hsu and Dr Binal Shah at UIC for their expert guidance, as well as Prof. Baba Inusa and Kelley Price from Guy’s St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and RCPath, respectively, for making this secondment possible.
My Secondment Experience – Charlie Leboff
