From BIOCEV to Rennes: The Barrande Fellowship is a Great Opportunity
Doctoral studies are a journey of discovery. But what if the journey crosses boundaries, takes you into cutting-edge laboratories and deep into the mysteries of cell quality control? Thanks to a prestigious Barrand scholarship, PhD student Bailasan Haidar from the laboratory of Jiří Zahradník (1st Medical Faculty CUNI at BIOCEV) has a unique opportunity to conduct research in both the Czech Republic and France, where she is focusing on the role of the endoplasmic reticulum in protein folding and disease. A challenging but extremely rewarding experience. From overcoming challenges in the application itself, to adapting to a new scientific environment.
Bailasan Haidar is a 2nd year PhD student in Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics and Virology at the Faculty of Science, Charles University. She also works in the Laboratory of Protein Engineering (1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University / BIOCEV), led by Jiří Zahradník. Read how the Barrand Fellowship shaped her scientific career and why she thinks international collaboration is the key to breakthrough research.
We are glad you found time in your intense schedule to share insights about your studies, which are exceptional in many ways. Can start with explaining us the reason for that?
As a PhD student, I am thrilled to share with you my success story in obtaining the prestigious Barrande Fellowship, cotutelle program in 2024. The Barrande Fellowship Programme is a joint Czech-French scholarship programme to support the exchange stays of Czech and French doctoral students. Through this fellowship, I am conducting a significant part of my research in France, collaborating with leading experts and utilizing state of art facilities.
Please describe us briefly your research project and why it is important.
My PhD research topic focus on Deep Assessment of Endoplasmic Reticulum quality control system in yeast and mammalian cells. ER is a critical regulator of protein synthesis and folding, and unravelling the mystery of its control system can provide essential insights for developing therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
The Endoplasmic Reticulum is the point of entry of proteins into the secretory pathway. Nascent peptides interact with the ER quality control machinery that ensures correct folding of the nascent proteins. Failure to fold proteins properly can lead to loss of protein function and cytotoxic aggregation of misfolded proteins that can lead to cell death. To cope with the increases in the ER unfolded proteins, burden cells have evolved the unfolded protein response (UPR). Despite a relatively detailed description of the system itself, we lack both functional and quantitative details, which means that we are unable to predict the fate of the mutant proteins in the ER.
Our recent investigations have demonstrated the applicability of protein engineering techniques for the in-depth analysis of quality control devices. Significantly, Protein Engineering techniques and gene libraries are used for the in-depth evaluation of the properties and stringency of quality control devices. Our goal is to demonstrate the hidden facts about this system and shed light on a research subject that can be highly relevant to biomedicine.
What makes the Barrande Fellowship’s double degree program (cotutelle) unique?
The Barrande Fellowship's double degree program (cotutelle) stands out as an exceptional opportunity, offering an international research environment and the chance to engage with two esteemed universities and laboratories. I am working at university of Rennes in France. There, I collaborate with a team specializing in stress signaling (ER Stress) and cancer. This partnership enables me to access cutting-edge methodologies, exchange knowledge, and gain a broader perspective on my work.
What challenges did you face in obtaining the Barrande Fellowship?
However, the process of attaining the Barrande Fellowship was deeply fulfilling, though it came with its challenges. Identifying the ideal host institution and building a collaborative relationship with a French research group was among the most demanding tasks. It required extensive outreach, aligning project goals, and fine-tuning proposals to match their expertise.
Developing a compelling research proposal was another pivotal step. I needed to clearly convey the scientific importance of my project to a multidisciplinary panel while demonstrating its potential to advance bilateral research. As well as the administrative hurdles, from compiling required documents to managing deadlines and coordinating between two academic institutions across countries, the process demanded strong organizational skills. In addition to that, the challenges of adapting to a new research environment, cultural and language barriers, and building a new professional network. Balancing collaborations between the original and new lab adds complexity in terms of communication, research coordination, and managing expectations from multiple supervisors.
What has been your experience living and working in France?
Beyond the academic and research benefits, living in France has been an amazing experience. Rennes is a beautiful city in Brittany, full of history and charm, with vibrant cultural scenes and mild oceanic climate. The welcoming nature of the people in the workplace has made the transition smoother, and I have found immense support from my colleagues in the laboratory. Whether it is strolling through the historic streets, enjoying the local cuisine, or exploring the stunning Brittany, every day brings something new.
How has the Barrande Fellowship impacted your research and personal growth?
The Barrande Fellowship has been a transformative experience, offering immense opportunities for scientific collaboration and personal growth. My time in France allows me to enhance my research, build an international professional network, and contribute to the shared scientific objectives of the Czech Republic and France.
I hope my story encourages fellow researchers at BIOCEV to pursue similar international opportunities. While the journey involves considerable challenges, the rewards in terms of research innovation, skill development, and cultural enrichment are well worth the effort.
In conclusion, could you share how others can learn more about the Barrande Fellowship or your research?
If you have any questions about the Barrande Fellowship or my research, please feel free to reach out. I would be delighted to share my experience and support others in navigating their own paths to success.
Thank you for the interview and we wish you much personal and scientific success!
The basic information and competition rules can be found on the website of the French Institute in Prague: HERE
Author: First Faculty of Medicine CUNI / BIOCEV
Title photo: From left - Radka Vildová, Director general for higher education, science and research section (Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic), Bailasan Haidar and Stéphane Crouzat, French Ambassador to the Czech Republic / Author: René Volfík
