Our DC Adrián looks back at his secondment in Olomuc (March – April 2026)
Adrián, PhD student at the Plant Genetics and Functional Genomics group of the University of Silesia in Katowice under the supervision of Miriam Szurman-Zubrzycka, spent 2 months at the Chromatin Organization and Function group at the Institute of Experimental Botany (IEB) in Olomuc under the supervision of Aleš Pečinka.
How did the mobility impact your project? Which objectives will you reach thanks to it?
“My PhD thesis requires of a collection of mutant lines for different genes. During my mobility in Olomouc, I generated two new mutant lines that will be incorporated into the analyses conducted as part of my PhD, contributing to and strengthening the results of my research. In addition, the visit provided me with the opportunity to interact with colleagues who are leading experts in the field and to further deepen my knowledge and practical skills in CRISPR-Cas9 techniques, particularly in monocots species.”
What did this mobility experience give you on a personal level?
“I had the opportunity to meet the host group, who welcomed me from the very beginning and include me in both professional and social activities, making me feel like part of the team. At the same time, the mobility was a wonderful opportunity to discover a new country, its culture and its cities. One of the experiences I remember with particular appreciation was my trip to Brno, where I had the opportunity to visit Mendel’s monastery and even buy a little pea keychain as a souvenir. I was excited to visit it, as Gregor Mendel is the father of genetics, the basis of my research.”
Secondments are periods of research and training spent at a partner institution, exposing researchers to new environments, techniques and resources, allowing them to boost their projects. In HeatDDR, secondments are a key part of training, helping DCs develop adaptability, teamwork, and communication skills in academic and non-academic settings.
See also:
Plant Genetics and Functional Genomics department of the University of Silesia in Katowice
Chromatin Organization and Function group at the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences