In February 2019, Dr. Hazim Ghani,  a lecturer in the Biomedical Science programme at IHS had the greatpleasure of visiting Switzerland for a month-long attachment at the Institute of Pathology, University of Bern(UB). This visit was part of a lab attachment scheme, which supplemented a collaborative research projectbetween UBD and UB entitled “mRNA Splicing and Immunogenicity in Colorectal Cancer”. Briefly, this projectaims to compare mRNA splicing and immune checkpoint blockade markers between Bruneian and Bernesecolorectal cancer patients. Dr. Hazim was hosted by Dr Philippe Krebs, the head of the Cancer Group at UB,and fellow Bruneian Lester Thoo, the main collaborators of the research project. The primary purpose of the visit was to learn and train in immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining proceduresusing a next-generation tissue microarray (ngTMA)-based approach, which is central to the characterizationof the relevant immune markers. The Translational Research Unit (TRU) based in the Institute of Pathology, UB,is an established facility with extensive expertise in the field of ngTMA and IHC, and provided theappropriate learning platform. Dr. Hazim had hands-on practice at producing ngTMA blocks and preparationof samples for IHC staining under the guidance of TRU personnel. He also had the opportunity to attendseminars delivered by invited guest speakers, and lab meetings where PhD students presented progress oftheir individual projects. Altogether, the attachment at UB provided an invaluable insight and appreciation towards an importanttechnique which is often utilized in biomedical science research. The knowledge attained from attending thevarious talks also helped Dr. Hazim’s professional development. He expresses his appreciation to Dr. Lim YaChee and Dr. Anne Cunningham whose support and encouragement made this visit possible, and is alsograteful to UBD for funding the training and research.R E S E A R C H C O L L A B O R A T I O N W I T HU N I V E R S I T Y O F B E R N 3Dr. Hazim Ghani (second right), on a month-long lab attachment scheme at the Institute of Pathology, University ofBern, Switzerland; Lester Thoo (left), PhD candidate at the University of Bern, Switzerland and lab members of theKrebs laboratory.D r . H a z i m G h a n i , L e c t u r e rB E Y O N D | O C T . T O D E C . 2 0 1 9 | I S S U E 1 9 | R E S E A R C H I S S U E
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