A day in a life as scientist is ever-changing. Science is fun, challenging, exciting, educational, interactive, social, mind-blowing and of course, fascinating. A typical workday encompasses many of these, making each day a little adventure.

Staying informed is crucial as a research scientist. Around the globe, new research ideas are emerging and evolving all day long, so every day I make some spare time to read a recommended paper and further scour the internet for literature in the field. At the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) the range of education on offer is vast. Mainly because we can learn from each other by attending seminars, lab meetings, conferences, or just generally through networking at the IGC and beyond.

Science is educational.

Therefore, as PhD a student, my typical day either includes attending institute-wide seminars, where I explore the academic landscape outside of my field, or, while in lab meetings, deepen my understanding of the broader academic landscape within my field. It’s a great way to engage with the latest research and find new perspectives while enjoying a cup of tea. The continuous learning process in academia makes science extremely exciting for me.

Science is exciting.

In meetings, I very often meet colleagues from various stages of their research journeys, which not only helps me to build a network between scientists but also creates space for making friends. Often, the meetings are around lunchtime, which gives a chance to enjoy a meal together. It’s a great opportunity to casually chat about science, share insights, or simply take a well-needed break and unwind. These breaks are important to stay focused during my time in the lab, which is truly my favourite part of the scientific journey.

Science is social.

My work involves, among other things, recapitulating the early craniofacial development in a dish by in vitro differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) and further into chondrocytes*¹. During the formation of the face, craniofacial cartilage originates from chondrocytes that are derived from CNCCs, which both are important for the shape and function of the face*². While it may seem worlds away from the complexity of human development, every experiment offers a chance to gain insights into key biological processes.

Science is fascinating.

Bench work involves multiple aspects such as planning, preparing, performing, note-taking, and analysis. Usually, I start off by identifying my research question, which guides the design of my experiment. It’s a process that blends creativity, critical thinking, and drawing on both the literature and my own experience, while also engaging in discussions with colleagues to find the best approach.

Science is structured.

Conducting an experiment requires a lot of focus. I usually start by reviewing the protocol, focusing on materials, temperature requirements and time management. Organisation is key, as it ensures safety, helps to protect others and also enhances work efficiency. With experience comes greater independence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control over the situation and taking responsibility.

Science is built on self-confidence.

Every experiment is different. Some experiments develop over weeks or even months, while others deliver results within a day. Depending on the nature of the experiment some may demand numerous replicates and several trials for robust data, while others may only require one or two trials. In any case, documentation is important to reliably reproduce data and plays a crucial role in my daily work as a scientist. The need for preparation, combined with long-running experiments and good documentation, underscores the patience needed in the scientific journey.

Science is enduring.

Experiments do not always go as planned. Small errors, unexpected results or equipment malfunctions can interfere with the process. This can sometimes be frustrating, especially after an experiment has unfolded over several days. If I experience an unexpected result, I’ll try to spot the mistake by reviewing my notes or engaging with colleagues. This might prove challenging as very often it is an accumulation of small errors and sometimes it is just the mystery of science.

Science is challenging.

Despite the challenges, problem-solving is an extensive part of working as a scientist, and engaging with colleagues often makes troubleshooting rewarding. In addition, I regularly present my work in section meetings, which provides a great opportunity for feedback and suggestions from people outside the lab. Presenting, writing and talking about my research is essential to find new perspectives but also to share my knowledge so others can learn about it. As scientists it is invaluable to learn from each other.

Science is interactive.

A day in a life as scientist is ever-changing and never boring, because science is educational, social, fascinating, enduring, built on self-confidence, structured, challenging and interactive and so much more… Hopefully, this has given you an idea of what a day in the life of a research scientist might look like and how exciting it can be.

*1

Bajpai, R., Chen, D.A., Rada-Iglesias, A., Zhang, J., Xiong, Y., Helms, J., Chang, C.-P., Zhao, Y., Swigut, T., Wysocka, J., 2010. CHD7 cooperates with PBAF to control multipotent neural crest formation. Nature 463, 958–962. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08733

Long, H.K., Osterwalder, M., Welsh, I.C., Hansen, K., Davies, J.O.J., Liu, Y.E., Koska, M., Adams, A.T., Aho, R., Arora, N., Ikeda, K., Williams, R.M., Sauka-Spengler, T., Porteus, M.H., Mohun, T., Dickel, D.E., Swigut, T., Hughes, J.R., Higgs, D.R., Visel, A., Selleri, L., Wysocka, J., 2020. Loss of Extreme Long-Range Enhancers in Human Neural Crest Drives a Craniofacial Disorder. Cell Stem Cell 27, 765-783.e14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2020.09.001

Mohammed, J., Arora, N., Matthews, H.S., Hansen, K., Bader, M., Walsh, S., Shaffer, J.R., Weinberg, S.M., Swigut, T., Claes, P., Selleri, L., Wysocka, J., 2024. A common cis-regulatory variant impacts normal-range and disease-associated human facial shape through regulation of PKDCC during chondrogenesis. eLife 13, e82564. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.82564

Prescott, S.L., Srinivasan, R., Marchetto, M.C., Grishina, I., Narvaiza, I., Selleri, L., Gage, F.H., Swigut, T., Wysocka, J., 2015. Enhancer divergence and cis-regulatory evolution in the human and chimp neural crest. Cell 163, 68–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.08.036

*2

Foltz, L., Avabhrath, N., Lanchy, J.-M., Levy, T., Possemato, A., Ariss, M., Peterson, B., Grimes, M., 2024. Craniofacial chondrogenesis in organoids from human stem cell-derived neural crest cells. iScience 27, 109585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109585

Martik, M.L., Bronner, M.E., 2021. Riding the crest to get a head: neural crest evolution in vertebrates. Nat Rev Neurosci 22, 616–626. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-021-00503-2

A Glimpse into a Researcher’s Day / Institute of Genetics and Cancer by blogadmin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0

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