On the trail of the visibly invisible

Uschi Kagerer was already interested in biology and chemistry at school. The 19-year-old from Wolfratshausen has been training as a biology laboratory assistant at the MPI for Biochemistry in Martinsried for three years - her dream job.

Uschi Kagerer's white coat reaches almost to her ankles, her hands are protected by blue nitrile gloves and her face is half covered by protective goggles. In a laboratory in the Department of Molecular Cell Biology, the petite young woman stands at her workbench and prepares tumor cells, so-called HeLa cells, for immunofluorescence: a process that makes proteins visible in cells with the help of antibodies. She uses a kind of infusion needle to suck up the medium surrounding the cells. Twelve times the same movement: Hold the needle in the liquid, aspirate; hold the needle in the liquid, aspirate. The subsequent rinsing of the cells is also similar: apply solution with a glass pipette, aspirate; apply solution, aspirate. Despite the apparent monotony, each movement requires a high level of concentration and a steady hand, as each movement takes you one step further in the experiment.

Before the trainees spend three and a half years working in the various departments of the MPI of Biochemistry, they first get to know the initial experimental procedures in the specially equipped teaching laboratory. In addition, block lessons at the vocational school and two lessons a week at the institute are part of the training plan. They are also taught the correct way to handle laboratory animals in the MPI's animal house. “We watched a movie as an introduction,” remembers Uschi Kagerer, “I had to leave halfway through because I couldn't bear it.” However, she found it much easier to interact directly with the animals. She now has no problem caring for mice, but also killing them.

In her normal laboratory routine, she discusses the upcoming test procedures with the BTA in charge. In the beginning, she didn't understand many of the procedures. Now she feels much more experienced, and it always fills her with happiness when she understands what she is doing at the lab bench. And if an experiment doesn't work? “Then I just have to start all over again,” says the young woman cheerfully, "I see it as a tricky challenge and ask myself what's different this time? Was the temperature too high or too low? Should I have waited longer?" “It's also kind of cool” when you mix seemingly colourless liquids without any visible effect, but under the UV light you can see that there is actually something visible there.

The MPI of Biochemistry in cooperation with the MPI of Neurobiology is currently training a total of eleven young people, five men and six women, to become biology laboratory technicians. What is striking is the balanced ratio between boys and girls, which is often in favor of girls at other Max Planck Institutes. “Every year, we try to recruit as many boys and girls as possible,” reports trainer Katrin Reindl. Uschi Kagerer also likes the fact that she doesn't only have to work with girls. “Boys just don't bitch as much,” she says with a grin.

The young woman is now nearing the end of her three-and-a-half-year apprenticeship. For the last four weeks, trainer Katrin Reindl has offered a three-week exam preparation course. The written final exams will take place in December, followed by the two-day practical part in January. Uschi Kagerer will carry out various examinations under the supervision of the examiners - not a very pleasant feeling, she says. After passing the exam, she will work for another six months in her favorite department of molecular cell biology. After that, she hopes to be able to work permanently at the institute as a qualified biology laboratory assistant.