MicroMerco April: Projects, Research and Hands-On Training

April marks the launch of Micromerco April, a month-long initiative promoted within the activities of Scylla Biotech and the integrated research laboratories, designed to bring students closer to real scientific research through direct experience.

This initiative is structured as a series of weekly sessions combining research presentation, methodological training, and hands-on laboratory activities, with the goal of transforming theoretical knowledge into practical scientific competence.

The opening session, held on April 1st, immersed students in an ongoing research project focused on antiviral strategies against Zika virus.During this session, students followed a structured program including: a progress report on the project "Intracellular persistence and antiviral activity of an immunogenic ASO targeting Zika virus NS5", presented by Dr.ssa Alessia Berbiglia; a guided methodological session covering key experimental steps such as cell culture, infection, and plaque formation; and a transition from classroom to laboratory, emphasizing continuity between theory and practice.

Laboratory activities were organized and supervised by Dr. Francesco Coppolino, Dr.ssa Federica Grasso, and Dr.ssa Alessia Berbiglia.

The Third Session: BEVs and Host Cell Response

Progress report:
"BEVs, interaction with epithelial cells and biological response: imaging, cytotoxicity and gene regulation" – Dr. Luca Tavella

The session introduced bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as key modulators of host cell responses. Using an epithelial cell model (A549), students explored BEV internalization, early cellular effects, and their impact on cytotoxicity and gene expression.

Through advanced visual and dynamic teaching tools, complex mechanisms were presented in a clear and engaging way, bridging experimental observation and biological interpretation.

The session set the stage for hands-on activities focused on imaging analysis, cytotoxicity assessment, and gene regulation.

What to Expect

During Micromerco April, a series of structured activities will be organized, including:

• Short research presentations (progress reports), where young researchers present their projects and discuss experimental approaches
• Guided laboratory sessions, focused on key techniques such as cell culture, viral quantification, and molecular assays
• Microscopy-based observations, allowing students to directly visualize cellular systems and experimental outcomes
• Interactive discussions, encouraging critical thinking and scientific dialogue between students, PhD candidates, and senior researchers

Each session is designed to be concise, focused, and highly interactive, promoting active participation rather than passive learning.

The Second Session: Histological Analysis and Diagnostic Interpretation

Progress report:
"Description of a Viral Infection Model through Histological Analysis and Characterization of Pathogenetic Mechanisms" Dr.ssa Federica Grasso

The session focused on viral infection modeling through histological analysis. After an introductory overview, students engaged in hands-on activities including tissue observation (H&E, May-Grünwald Giemsa) and microbiological differential diagnosis (Gram staining).

The session concluded with an interactive evaluation based on image interpretation, promoting critical diagnostic reasoning.

The Final MicroMerco Appointment: From Immunization to Recombinant Antibodies and Phage Display

The final MicroMerco appointment, held on April 29th, concluded the April training cycle with a session dedicated to recombinant antibody technologies. 

The session opened with two complementary progress reports. Dr. Francesco Coppolino presented "From Immunization to Recombinant Antibodies: Production and Characterization of Murine mAbs", introducing students to the classical pathway of antibody production, from immunization and polyclonal immune response to clonal selection and hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibodies. Dr.ssa Alessia Berbiglia then presented "Phage Display Technique to Select Mature scFVs", illustrating how recombinant antibody fragments can be selected and enriched through phage display technologies.

Together, the two presentations offered an integrated view of antibody development, highlighting the transition from conventional monoclonal antibody production to recombinant scFv-based approaches.

After the introductory part, students moved to the laboratory for two practical stations designed to translate theoretical concepts into experimental procedures.

The first station focused on bacterial transformation and transformation efficiency.  The second station was dedicated to recombinant protein expression and analysis. Students were introduced to the logic of expression induction, sample collection, extract preparation and SDS-PAGE analysis. 

Laboratory activities were organized and supervised by Dr. Francesco Coppolino and Dr.ssa Alessia Berbiglia, within the activities of the Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Microbiche "E. Metchnikoff".