In the period January – June 2022 two Master students from the Department of Microelectronics and Biomedical Engineering at Technical University of Moldova, Tatiana Galatonova and Simon Busuioc, have had a unique opportunity to be trained at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden.
During her visit, Tatiana developed new skills in the field of biosensing: working principle of biosensors based on signal detection; surface functionalization and multiplexed measurements for increased selectivity; DNA detection peculiarities, etc. Beside training at KTH, before accessing lab work, Tatiana passed the two-week training at Uppsala University on how to work with the system and the biosensor, calculate the maximum effective concentration of the solutions, and use them in practice. The lab work was continuously supervised at the weekly meetings and recent literature review was being assimilated during the Journal Clubs. As a Master student, Tatiana has followed all the activities at TUM online, and additionally was following the Bio-nanotechnology course at KTH BB2400 that contains: tutorial (assignments, ASS; 1.5hp), lab exercise (Lab; 1.5hp) and written examination (TEN1; 4.5hp).
Returning home by mid of June, Tatiana said: „Organizing projects of such a level as NanoMedTwin is an opportunity for young students at the beginning of their careers. The collaboration and mobilities through such high-level institutions as the Royal Institute of Technology develop our research skills and ignite our interest to go further in this field with a new baggage of ideas, knowledge, and experiences. Last but not least are the formation of the connections obtained on trips with the scientists who have been working in this field for years and are ready to guide and consult you even after finishing the mobility. Certainly, the NanoMedTwin project is a success for the Republic of Moldova and has opened a new vision for me in science.”
Simon Busuioc is a Master student at Microelectronics and Nanotechnology, and during his visit at KTH he was involved in the investigation of the optical properties of the transparent wood. He got an introduction to integrating sphere, atomic force microscopy, laser-based particles analyser, and other characterization tools. Every two weeks Simon was attending meetings with Dr. Ilja Sytjunov and Dr. Hui Chen, where practical results were discussed and a short-term working plan was developed. Simon attended the course “Colloids and Colloidal Principles for Applications” between 21.03.2022 – 20.05.2022 and several seminars, including “Carla Camp Open House” organised by Photonics Sweden between 11.05.2022 – 12.05.2022, where the photonics as a future technology was discussed.
Back at TUM with inspiration and new vision, Simon said: „During this internship I gained a unique and much needed working experience, not only in a new, unfamiliar branch of my main field of study, but also in new environment, besides people with different perspective regarding working practices. This gave me an opportunity to improve myself as a person and as a researcher. Even if it was tedious from time to time, I consider my visit to be worthwhile.”
After the visit ended, the students presented detailed reports on their activities at KTH during a seminar at the National Centre for Materials Study and Testing at the Technical University of Moldova. During this seminar, the further research program for their preparation of Master thesis and admission to PhD was discussed.
