Meet the Scientist - Tamara Raschka (Fraunhofer)

Tamara Raschka
PhD student
Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI)
Department of Bioinformatics Schloss Birlinghoven
Sankt Augustin, Germany

Can you explain your research within PHAGO in 2 sentences?

As a bioinformatician, I am analyzing the transcriptomic (gene expression) data coming up in the project e.g. to see the effect of knock-out experiments of CD33 and TREM2. This will allow the validation of the hypothetical pathways those two genes are involved in.

What do your friends and family think what you are doing in the lab?
They think I am working in a lab, but actually, as a bioinformatician, I am just sitting in front of my computer, not doing anything in a lab :D

What are you really doing? (What’s your favourite task to do in the lab?)
My favourite task while analyzing the data is to find a good and interesting way to analyze it and to solve the appearing problems with innovative ideas.

Why are you interested in Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s Disease is a disease that influences the people a lot, but still, it’s not clear what causes it and how it can be treated. That makes Alzheimer’s Disease one of the most interesting research areas where many things still need to be examined.

What is the major challenge in Alzheimer research for you?
A major challenge is the fact, that people are just diagnosed after being affected by the disease already many years. That is why we are missing the disease onset in many cases and can just look into the later stages of the disease.

Trem2 or CD33?
CD33

Coffee or Tea?
Coffee

Why does your research matter to the average citizen/man on the street?
Because everyone gets older ;-) And we need to find the causes and mechanisms of Alzheimer’s to be able to treat it in an effective way to make the patient’s life better.

The must-follow science twitter account?
I am not on Twitter...

The must-read article on Alzheimer research?
“Integrated systems approach identifies genetic nodes and networks in late-onset Alzheimer's disease" (Cell. 2013 Apr 25;153(3):707-20)

What else do you like to read (except research articles)?
Exciting thrillers

Your most surprising research finding?
That my frustration tolerance increases more and more while doing research ;-)

What is your personal highlight in PHAGO up to now?
As a highlight, I would definitely state the connections to the other scientists of the project. There is a wide range of different scientists that makes meeting and working closely together with them  pleasant and fruitful.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside the lab?
Being in nature: Hiking, biking or even climbing

Best recent TV series/movie/novel depicting scientists?
„Helix“ written by Marc Elsberg