Family Day at the Lab!

Organization

The day was organized by the PhD candidates of the lab, who wanted to give their families and friends a glimpse into their work and the lab environment. The event started in the lab’s common area and then moved to other parts of the lab for various demonstrations. Attendance was high, with many family members and friends showing up to support the PhD candidates and learn more about their research. Several groups were made, each with a guide and a route through the lab, via the different stations. The PhD candidates were excited to share their work and answer questions from their guests.

Activities

My group started with a demonstration of confocal microscopy and how Luc uses it to visualize germinal centers. He explained how fluorophores are used to label specific proteins with antibodies and how the microscope captures images of these labeled structures. The guests were fascinated by the colorful images and the intricate details of the germinal centers. And of course by Luc’s enthusiasm and passion for his work, which was contagious. The guests were able to ask questions and take a look at the samples through the microscope.

After that, we moved on to a station where it was demonstrated how to visualize PBMCs from blood samples. We explained the importance of PBMCs in immunology research and how they are used in various experiments. The guests were able to see the process up close and even try their hand at identifying different cell types under the microscopes. This proved to be a fun and educational experience for everyone, as they learned about the different types of immune cells and their functions in the body.

Then there were various chemical and analytical demonstrations, where the guests could see how different chemicals and reagents are used in the lab to conduct experiments. The PhD candidates explained the purpose of each demonstration and how it relates to their research. The guests were able to ask questions and learn about the different techniques used in the lab, such as MS, glycan chemistry, and photo-activation.

The day ended with drink and pizza outside in the sunshine, where the guests could relax and socialize with the PhD candidates and other lab members. It was a great opportunity for everyone to connect and share their experiences from the day. Overall, the Family Day at the Lab was a huge success, and we are grateful to everyone who attended and made it such a memorable event.