"Open-mindedness for students"

Over the past three years, first-year Master's students have benefited from the presence of visiting professors and researchers, including two participants in the Visiting Scholars programme. How did these collaborations come about?

Corinne Sanchez : Two years ago, we welcomed Catak Saron, a researcher in computational chemistry and biochemistry at Bogazici University in Istanbul, who gave a lecture and workshop on molecular dynamics. Last year, we welcomed Vincent Condicello, who came as a visiting professor outside of the Visiting Scholars programme. And this year, students were able to benefit from lectures by Birgit Strodel, a computational biochemist at the Julich Institute in Germany.

Each time, I was contacted in my capacity as head of teaching unit (UE) by fellow lecturers and researchers in Bordeaux who wished to host a foreign colleague. So far, everything has gone very well according to plan. The guests are attentive and willing to adapt the content of their lessons if necessary. Whereas in previous years the courses were delivered in the form of lectures, this year we went further with integrated courses and tutorials. 

Are these subjects already taught at the university? 

C. S. : These topics are briefly covered as a module in the tutorials, but not in such depth. It is not simply a matter of explaining the technique, but also of offering a thematic approach, as a guest lecturer will be speaking specifically about his research work. This adds substance to the discourse. And then students realise the difference between what is taught in lectures and research work in a laboratory. My objective is to broaden students' minds with as many biochemical techniques as possible that can address their biological questions. 

What is the feedback from students? 

C. S. : At first, they are a little unsettled because the presentations are in English and require a lot of attention, but they are ultimately delighted because it is a different educational approach. This provides them with a wealth of knowledge and broadens their horizons. At the start of the academic year, I present the programme and mention the contributions of guest lecturers. This year, a second-year Master's student wanted to participate in Birgit Strodel's classes (part of the first-year Master's programme) because he was interested in the subject and her field of research. It is also an opportunity for students who wish to write a thesis to get a foot in the door. 

"Technology for understanding proteins"

What is the objective of your research?

Birgit Strodel : We know that proteins can change shape, meaning that they are in constant motion. To better understand living organisms, we need to understand how proteins interact and what the consequences of these interactions are in terms of function or loss of function. I use digital simulation techniques (molecular dynamics) to study these interactions. These are highly complex calculations that require powerful machines*.

What were the objectives of your move to Bordeaux? 

B. S. : I came to Bordeaux to strengthen my existing collaboration with the CBMN and develop new ones. Here, there are many skills that complement my own. Shortly before the start of my stay, we learned that funding had been approved for the European collaborative project LIPAGG, a doctoral network coordinated by the CBMN, in collaboration with my team at the Julich Institute. It will fund 15 theses to better understand the formation of amyloid fibres. I also established two other collaborations: one with a colleague from Bordeaux whom I already knew – this mobility programme allowed us to take the time to identify topics of mutual interest; the second with a researcher I met during the mobility programme!

The programme includes an educational component for university students: how did that go?

B. S. : For me, it was one of the highlights of the mobility programme. I taught a course on molecular dynamics to first-year Master's students. We worked in small groups. It is a very different educational experience from what I have in Germany with lectures. I was able to teach the students something new. We had many discussions, and they asked many questions. Moreover, a second-year Master's student who joined this course is even considering coming to the Julich Institute for an internship next year.

Is it important for a researcher to be mobile?

B. S. : Absolutely! I would not be where I am today without all the collaborations and interactions with researchers from other countries, without knowing what is happening internationally. Additionally, Bordeaux not only offers an exceptional professional environment, but also a very pleasant living environment. I am very grateful to the University of Bordeaux for this opportunity!
 
* The Julich Research Centre recently acquired a supercomputer called "Jupiter", currently the most powerful in Europe.