Nov 11, 2024
Report on Research Stay at King’s College London
Talk of Maria de Leyre Villar Ballesteros
This report summarizes my scientific research stay at King’s College London, funded by IRTG 2251. The research stay took place from April 22 to October 17, 2024, and was conducted in the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health and the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, under the supervision of Prof. Paul Taylor and Dr. Sarah Chapple, respectively.
The main objective of this visit was to conduct experiments to address the second aim of my PhD thesis, which focuses on studying the impact of exercise during pregnancy on GDM-induced endothelial dysfunction in the offspring. To achieve this, I performed animal experiments using a mouse model of glucose intolerance and exercise during pregnancy. Additionally, I collaborated on the Children of UPBEAT clinical trial, a study designed to evaluate the potential long-term cardiovascular benefits in children aged 9-11 years, whose mothers had obesity during pregnancy and either participated in, or were excluded from, a lifestyle intervention involving diet and physical activity.
With supervisor: Prof. Henning Morawietz
The animal work was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Chapple. This was my first experience with animal studies, and I found it quite challenging. Nevertheless, I am very satisfied with the knowledge I gained, not only about various experimental techniques but also about the detailed planning and organization required for such research. Additionally, my time at the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences provided valuable opportunities to connect with researchers in the cardiovascular field, an area with limited representation in our department in Dresden. I also had the chance to deliver a department talk, present my research, and receive constructive feedback on my project.
On the other hand, the clinical work was carried out at Prof. Paul Taylor's lab. During my research placement in London, I had the opportunity to assist with approximately 30 clinical visits involving mother-child pairs. The study protocol required both mothers and children to complete comprehensive questionnaires on clinical history and lifestyle factors. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements, blood pressure monitoring, and blood sample collection. In addition, children received advanced cardiovascular assessments, including echocardiography, electrocardiography, pulse wave analysis, and 36-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate variability monitoring. This experience was highly valuable, as it allowed me to step out of the lab and engage directly with patients as well as clinical researchers, providing me with a deeper understanding of the human and clinical side of scientific research. It also strengthened my ability to think critically across disciplines, bridging the gap between basic science and clinical practice, which I believe is essential in today’s world and will significantly enhance my future research.
On a personal level, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to live in a vibrant, international city like London. I loved every bit of it: trying food from all over the world, diving into history and art at amazing museums, catching cool cultural events, and escaping to those huge, beautiful parks. Meeting people from so many different backgrounds was eye-opening, and I even got to explore other parts of England. My time in London has been immensely rewarding, both professionally and personally. I have learned so much, made great friends, and created memories I will carry with me forever.
