Lab exchange at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Over two months in October–December 2024, PhD Candidate Ghazal Lessan Toussi in Carina Strell’s group at CCBIO was given the opportunity to be on a research lab stay in Dr. Watnick’s laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital in Boston, USA. This was organized in the CCBIO–VBP Lab Visit Program, which is part of the CCBIO INTPART collaboration. Ghazal returned with lots of new knowledge and experiences, here described in her report.
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My research stay in Dr. Randolph Watnick's lab at Boston Children's Hospital at the end of 2024 was a valuable and motivating experience. The Watnick lab is at the forefront of investigating the complex roles of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression, with a particular focus on how cancer stem cells influence tumor initiation and drug resistance. Being part of this dynamic research environment allowed me to deepen my understanding of cancer biology and gain new scientific skills.
During my time in the lab, I had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Lufei Sui, a postdoctoral researcher. We investigated the non-canonical Notch1 signaling pathway and how it contributes to drug resistance in cancer stem cells. This experience not only enhanced my knowledge of cancer signaling pathways but also provided me with hands-on experience with techniques like gene manipulation systems, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry.
As a PhD student focusing on stage 0 breast cancer, this research stay gave me a unique opportunity to study invasive breast cancer, which is at the other end of the disease spectrum. This exposure challenged me to think beyond my current research scope and brought new ideas back that I am excited to explore further.
Boston Children’s Hospital is a great place for learning and networking. I attended weekly departmental meetings where postdoctoral researchers shared their ongoing work. These meetings helped me learn about different research areas and improved my critical thinking skills. A highlight of my visit was attending the 42nd Annual Vascular Biology Program Retreat, where I had the chance to present my PhD research titled, “Cancer Stem Cells and the Immune System in DCIS: Deciphering the Role of TILs in Disease Progression.” Sharing my work with the experts in the field was an invaluable experience that gave me useful feedback.
Beyond the lab, I made the most of my time in Boston, a city rich in history, culture, and vibrant social experiences. Even though the fall weather was quite cold, I took the opportunity to explore the city’s historical sites and various events. I also made new friends, which made my stay more enjoyable and memorable.
This research visit would not have been possible without the support of CCBIO. I am deeply grateful for this unique opportunity.
