School of Molecular Biosciences

Spotlight: Tajra Lulo

The Institute has had the pleasure of welcoming visiting Undergraduate student Tajra Lulo, who came to carry out some research in Dr Eirini Kaisleri's lab.  Tajra joins us from Bosnia Herzegovina, read below all about her experience experience of Glasgow!

My Glasgow experience

My name is Tajra Lulo and I am entering my fourth year in Genetics and Bioengineering at the International University of Sarajevo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Research in plant biology is something that has always attracted me the most so I decided to expand my knowledge and experience working in a research lab with the people who “live and breathe science”.  So far, I did my best to use every opportunity to be involved in scientific work through laboratory practice in one of the policlinics, attending conferences and workshops and I have always been actively seeking opportunities to develop my skills beyond what was strictly required by the university curriculum. When I was offered the opportunity to do my summer research practice at the Institute of Molecular, Cell and System Biology at University of Glasgow, I could not imagine what impact this internship would have on me. 

I was lucky to work in the lab of Dr Eirini Kaiserli where I learned and carried out many molecular and cell biological techniques that allowed me to design, perform, troubleshoot and interpret my own experiments.
My project focused on investigating the transcriptional regulation of photoperiodic flowering in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In order to perform this project I have used plant tissue culture, genetic segregation of transgenic plant lines as well as quantitative RT-PCR, western blot analysis and confocal imaging. My 5-week summer research in Glasgow not only allowed me to receive valuable work experience, but also allowed me to learn about the dynamics of a research group. I have experienced what it is like to work day to day as part of an established research team and got to know people who share the same enthusiasm for science as I do.

I did not just spend great time in the lab, but I also became familiar with the city and people in Scotland. It is not hard to love Glasgow because of its incredible architecture, beautiful museums and parks and of course the kindness of people. Something that at first seems to be annoying is the rain, but I got used to it and now I will even miss the Glasgow rain! I met very special people in Glasgow who made my time here much more beautiful. I will really miss my lab family, all the laughs, funny conversations during the breaks and, the obvious serious conversations when working and all advice that they gave me. I can say that this is for sure something I will never forget and something that I am very grateful for. I am so proud that I was part of such incredible research group. They will all be truly missed!

Thank you my lab team and thank you Scotland for this amazing experience!