Last month, a group of high school students had the opportunity to experience and be involved in the research work conducted at the i3S, in the context of the ‘Miniestágios Observacionais EFANOR‘ initiative. For two days, the Molecular Biomaterials group hosted two of the students (Maria Benedita Oliveira and Maria Marinho), who could observe and participate in the preparation and characterization of biomaterials.
On the first day, both students shadowed Alexandre Gil (Master student), who demonstrated the processes associated with the analysis and assessment of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) protein corona formation and its consequences. They were also introduced to different types of equipment commonly used to characterize biomaterials by visiting different platforms, namely “Biointerfaces and Nanotechnology”, and “Histology and Electron Microscopy”. On the second day, the postdoc researchers, Dr Joana Silva and Dr Sara Silva, guided Benedita in a hands-on experiment, where they prepared different types of supramolecular hydrogels. Through this work, cross-linking and self-assembling mechanisms behind the creation process of hydrogels were explained, as well as their biomedical applications.
For Benedita, who says “Bioengineering always seemed like a career I would like to pursue since biology and chemistry are my favorite subjects“, this was a great opportunity and she is grateful for having the chance to participate in this mini-internship. We wish the best of luck to Benedita and Maria in their studies, and hope to see them again in the lab someday.
Maria Benedita Oliveira testimonial “I’ve been in a mini internship in I3S for two days, where I learnt about the ordinary day of a bioengineer. Bioengineering always seemed like a career I would like to pursue, since biology and chemistry are my favorite subjects. In my first day there, I watched my mentor doing his research on nano particles, I learnt about the procedures and precautions that have to be taken in the laboratory and what some of the machines do. In my second day, I used the knowledge I got from the day before to attempt to fabricate hydrogels. This day was exciting because I had the chance to use the laboratory equipment. Overall both days helped me make this choice so I’m very grateful I’ve been given the chance to try this internship.”