12th-grader explores lab life: insights into neutrophil biology

For one week, a 12th-grade student traded her classroom for a lab and joined the team of Daniela Maier-Begandt (C3) at the BMC of the LMU Munich to experience daily life in biomedical research. During her visit, she learned about key modern scientific tools to study neutrophils, including CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique, neutrophil trafficking assays, and model organisms such as the zebrafish. She could also conduct her own hands-on experiments: isolating, staining and characterising leukocyte subpopulations in blood by microscopy and flow cytometry. We enjoyed hosting the student, sharing our passion for science, and giving a motivated young student a glimpse into research.