Introduction to the Optiz lab and the DKFZ
About The Research
The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum or DKFZ for short), is the largest biomedical research network in Germany, and a member of an even larger biomedical consortium- the Helmholtz association. The DKFZ is a very diverse research organization with more than 90 research divisions. Since its founding in 1964, the DKFZ has been a front runner in science and medicine, with two Noble prizes being awarded within the past 13 years to associated scientists.
The diverse research taking place at the DKFZ ranges from genomics and cancer, to radio oncology and infection. With my neuroscience background, and desire to go into neurosurgery, I knew I wanted to be a part of a lab with a research emphasis on brain cancer, and that’s why I was drawn to Dr. Christiane Opitz’s lab. Work in her lab focuses on the aberrant metabolism in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumors. GBM is one of the deadliest and treatment resistant human cancers. About 13,000 people in America get diagnosed with GBM every single year with only 25% of GBM patients surviving a year after diagnosis. The devastating nature of this disease is an focus for many researchers as they try to understand its underlying neurobiology in an attempt to improve treatment options
The research in Dr. Opitz’s lab and the DKFZ is highly confidential, however it centers on the role of Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, in the metabolism and function of GBM. Currently, I am working on two projects in the Opitz lab in collaboration with master’s and PhD students. The majority of my colleagues are German but there is another researcher from Ecuador. We all speak English in the lab when discussing the business of science but revert to German in social situations.
The typical workday in the Opitz lab varies depending on the day. Usually, it begins at around 8-9am but getting in early at 7am to do extra reading, writing, or experiments isn’t uncommon. The day usually ends a little bit later, as I usually leave the lab between 6-7pm. These hours may seem longer than a typical American work day, but everyone in the lab is great to work with, and coffee/ice cream breaks help us get through the longer days. It really helps that there is a café in the main lobby of the building. While it is typical for me to work about 11 hours per day, the PhD candidates have longer days and will be in the lab for 14-16 hours (yikes). The work in the lab changes from day to day, but usually includes doing cell culture, gene expression analysis, protein quantification, and other assays to measure compounds and treatment effects. Before and after my work day, I try to supplement writing case reports and manuscripts for my work with the neurosurgery department back at Hartford Hospital, as well as review for the MCAT. It for sure makes for a busy day however, I enjoy doing bench work, and socializing with the other people in the lab. Being the only American in the lab, it makes for great topic of conversation, like asking me about things that intrigue them about Americans, like us using Fahrenheit instead of Celsius and my lack of ability to use public transportation (although that may just be a me thing). One of the lab members even gave me a bike to borrow for the summer (on the condition that I take it to get fixed first, but thanks again dude). The people in the lab are very inclusive and willing to show me the German Culture and pastimes. Recently, at a picnic, they taught me how to play Wikingerschach, or in English Vikings Chess- a game where you have to toss wooden blocks at opponent’s wooden blocks to knock them down and win the game (it’s a lot more interesting and intense than it seems).
Overall, being in the Opitz lab is a lot of fun. It is the little day to day things that make the experience even more enjoyable, and being part of an inclusive and friendly group make it all the better.
