C’est Difficile: From Lab Bench to Boulangerie in Paris
This summer, I have had the incredible opportunity to be part of the BRAVO! Program, allowing me to continue my research project at Institut Pasteur in Paris, France.
I worked in the Laboratory of the Pathogenesis of Bacterial Anaerobes (LPBA), under the direction of Dr. Bruno Dupuy. As part of this collaboration with the Vedantam lab at the University of Arizona, my research project investigated the role of an uncharacterized transcriptional regulator in controlling C. difficile virulence. We had previously demonstrated this regulator’s impact on C. difficile infection (CDI) in in-vivo studies, but were curious how it could impact biofilm formation, which causes recurrent infections.
Under the supervision of Dr. Dupuy and Ms. Carolina Altaf Figueiredo, I learned how to perform and optimize biofilm formation assays, and test how various biologically-relevant molecules may contribute to biofilm formation. By understanding these complex interactions, we hope to elucidate how this regulatory protein plays a role in biofilm formation and/or induction. Through this, we can better understand the trajectory of C. difficile infections, while also providing potential therapeutic targets.
Living in Paris led to no shortage of museums to visit, events to attend, and restaurants to try. At first, navigating the RER and Metro to commute between my dorm and the lab required me to adapt to the new language and French way of being. Within a few weeks, I felt more comfortable, and pushed myself to approach the city as a local. I attended ‘Fête de la Musique’, or ‘World Music Day’, a massive festival that encapsulates Paris with concerts, street performances, and food. The infinite scenes made this an unforgettable experience: as I returned to my room, I felt tired; yet, that energy had been spent making many wonderful memories. With the Navigo monthly unlimited pass, I could make day trips to any corner of the city, and even to Versailles. I fell in love with the architecture of Paris, as buildings gently curve around corners to hide the city’s secrets. From seeing the Eiffel Tower through the windows of the anaerobic chamber room at Institut Pasteur, to living in the middle of a TV show set and visiting the local corner ‘brasserie’ for dinner, I could not have had a better time in the city of lights.
I’m also incredibly fortunate to have made many great friends this summer. Institut Pasteur is incredibly diverse, and I instantly felt at-home within the LPBA team. I’d like to thank Carolina, who was a great mentor and even better friend throughout this entire journey. Dr. Dupuy also helped me feel comfortable in the lab, while also giving great museum recommendations. I cannot be grateful enough for the professional connections and lifelong friends that this opportunity has given me.
BRAVO! has been a life-changing experience. I’ve learned so much about myself, and about approaching science through a different lens. Indeed, through collaboration, we enhance both our research and our worldview. In the future, I want to continue fostering these international collaborations as a physician researcher. I will always remember the incredible experience that BRAVO! was, and the many people who made it special.