Luis Felipe Monge Mora

EDUCATION

College / University

Costa Rica Institute of Technology

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Biotechnology Engineering

Country

Costa Rica

Lab Experience

Bacterial transformation and plasmid preparation, lipofectamine-mediated transfection, protein isolation and quantification (BSA Assay), SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, immunocytochemistry, DNA isolation, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, RNA isolation, RT-PCR, qPCR, cell culture techniques (trypsinization, cryopreservation, thawing and cell counting). Animal-related experience: Wildtype and Cre/lox transgenic mice handling. Mouse genotyping, isolation and cryopreservation of adult hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, mice perfusion, microtome/ cryostat sectioning, DAB chromogenic staining, synaptosome preparation, spleen isolation. Preparation of primary cultures of embryonic hippocampal neurons and adult adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, differentiation assays (osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic), skin regeneration assays.

Projects / Research

2019 – 2020: “Analysis of murine models in vitro and in vivo for the study of Neuregulins overexpression in the Central Nervous System”. Bachelor’s thesis, supervisor: Dr. María Clara Soto Bernardini, Biotechnology Research Center (Cartago, Costa Rica) and the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine (Göttingen, Germany)
2018 – 2019: “Profiling and validation of molecular pathophysiology downstream of NRG1-ErbB4 hyperstimulation with relevance for Schizophrenia” Dr. María Clara Soto Bernardini, Biotechnology Research Center
2018 – 2019: “Investigation of neuronal signaling pathways downstream of NRG2” Dr. María Clara Soto Bernardini, Biotechnology Research Center
2018 – 2019: “Mechanisms of NRG2-mediated adaptive signaling in GABAergic cortical networks in vivo” Dr. María Clara Soto Bernardini, Biotechnology Research Center
2015 – 2018: “Isolation, identification and characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from murine adipose tissue for its incorporation in biological scaffolds and application in tissue engineering” MSc. Silvia Castro Piedra, Biotechnology Research Center

Scholarships / Awards

2021 – 2022:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2019:	Student Mobility Program Scholarship by the Costa Rica Institute of Technology
2017:	English Language Reinforcement Program Scholarship by the Costa Rica Institute of Technology

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I have always been intrigued by understanding how life works in its most elemental structure: cells and their molecular machinery. I consider the study of cell biology incredibly fulfilling for the amazing applications it can have in health. My current academic interest lies in regenerative medicine and answering questions such as why we can’t regenerate certain tissues (e.g., heart muscle after a myocardial infarction) or why we can’t do it as good as other animals. I am interested in topics such as cell cycle regulation, developmental biology and biotechnological approaches of cell function analysis through gene-editing technologies, stem cells, organoids, 3D printing, and animal models. I have the goal of becoming a scientist that can conduct research of quality that helps to improve the life of people in need, and to do it in Göttingen, so rich in science’s history is truly amazing.