The goal of the lab week is to give students insights into the work and workings of a research lab, which is something they are not typically introduced to during their studies. „You get a really direct, immediate impression of the research, literally from the front row“, reflects participant Lea Fleischmann.
"We were all actively involved in everyday research, were able to try out basic experimental methods ourselves, and experience firsthand how laboratory work and clinical application are linked," explains participant Lea Magiera. The program covered essential histological and biochemical laboratory skills, such as cell culture, staining, and microscopy, as well as research skills for formulating good research questions and presenting ideas. At the end of the week, the students put what they learned into practice and pitched their hypothetical projects. The students were divided into two groups to study beta-amyloid plaques in mouse models with APP23 pathologies. As a hypothetical research project, one group proposed investigating the effects of switching from lecanemab to RG6289, a y-secretase modulator, while the other group suggested exploring the effects of transcranial pulse stimulation. Participant Alice Zecchin concludes: "Synergy Lab Week was unique—we really enjoyed the work and often stayed longer voluntarily,” says Alice Zecchin. Lea Fleischmann agrees and adds: “It’s one of the highlights of my medical studies!”
The lab week is organized by Anne Wöllmer, Christine Wild-Bode and Alice Sülzen together with Nina Hermann, Stefanie Fülöp, Lena Lang, Veronika Graus, Krisztina Zeller, Anna Schmidtner, Matteo Rovere and Alica Karbach. The Lab Week began as a pilot in 2024, and after proving to be a great success, it was continued in 2025. Two participants from the 2024 Lab Week have since started their own research in the lab, confirming that our goal of inspiring medical students to pursue SyNergy research has been achieved.
