Summer Research Series: Muhammad Ali Zain Ul Abideen, Biological and Chemical Sciences

Course: Biological And Chemical Sciences

Supervisor: Dr. Elizabeth Ryan

Name of Research Project/Activity: Inflammatory Mediators as Predictive Biomarkers for Treatment Response in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Q) Can you tell me a bit about yourself, your background, and why did you decide to study the course you are taking at UL?

I'm an international student from Pakistan and a first-year Biological and Chemical Sciences student at the University of Limerick with a strong interest in immunology and disease research. Before coming to UL, I completed a clinical internship, carried out independent research on telemedicine and healthcare access, and completed several World Health Organisation courses in global health and epidemiology.

Those experiences made me realise I was most interested in understanding the science behind disease and how research can improve healthcare. That's what led me to choose Biological and Chemical Sciences. I liked that the course combines biology, chemistry, and practical laboratory work while giving me the opportunity to explore different areas before specialising. Outside of science, one of my main interests is debating, which I've really enjoyed over the years because it has strengthened my critical thinking and communication skills.

Q) What motivated you to apply for the Summer Bursary Programme?

I applied for the Summer Bursary Programme because I wanted to gain hands-on research experience after my first year rather than waiting until later in my degree. The opportunity to work on an active research project allowed me to build on the concepts I had learned in lectures while developing practical laboratory skills in a research environment. I was particularly interested in learning how experiments are designed, optimised, and interpreted, as these are aspects of science that cannot be fully appreciated in a teaching laboratory. I also wanted to experience the day-to-day process of research to better understand whether it was a career path I wanted to pursue.

Q) What are you doing as part of your research here at UL?

My research focuses on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which is the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The project investigates how different DLBCL cell lines detect and respond to immune stimulation. It also examines whether these responses are influenced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection or by the cancer itself.

To investigate this, lymphoma and B-cell lines are cultured under sterile conditions. The cells are then stimulated using molecules that activate different immune sensing pathways, including Toll-like receptors, cytosolic nucleic acid sensing pathways, and PMA, which bypasses cell surface receptors to assess the cells' maximum signalling capacity. Following stimulation, cell supernatants are collected and analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to measure the production of inflammatory cytokines. These responses are then compared across EBV-positive, EBV-negative, malignant, and non-malignant cell lines.

The aim of the project is to better understand how immune sensing changes in lymphoma cells and how EBV infection may alter these responses. By identifying differences in immune activation between these cell lines, the research may improve our understanding of lymphoma biology and contribute to the development of more effective biomarkers and targeted therapies.

Q) What skills have you developed over the summer?

Throughout the project, I've developed practical laboratory skills including aseptic cell culture, preparation and maintenance of mammalian cell lines, accurate pipetting, preparation of reagents and standards, and performing ELISA assays. Beyond technical techniques, I've also learned the importance of experimental design, maintaining detailed laboratory records, troubleshooting protocols, and ensuring consistency between experiments. I've gained experience analysing experimental data and understanding how individual experiments contribute to answering a broader biological research question. These skills have given me much greater confidence working independently in a laboratory setting.

Q) What has this experience taught you and what would you recommend to others?

This experience has given me a much clearer understanding of what research is actually like beyond the classroom. I've learned that research rarely follows a perfect plan and that progress often depends on careful optimisation, patience, and critical thinking when experiments don't produce the expected results. Working through these challenges has improved my problem-solving skills and taught me the importance of producing reliable, reproducible data.

It has also shown me how collaborative research environments support learning and scientific progress. I would strongly recommend the Summer Bursary Programme to other students because it provides valuable laboratory experience while helping you develop confidence as a researcher.

Q) What are your future career plans, would you consider a career in research?

I hope to pursue a career in public health research, with a particular interest in epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions. I'm especially interested in infectious diseases, including parasitology and virology, and how laboratory research can improve our understanding of disease transmission, immune responses, and public health interventions. Although this project focuses on lymphoma, it has shown me how rigorous laboratory research generates the evidence needed to answer complex biological questions. It has strengthened my interest in pursuing postgraduate study and a research career that combines laboratory science with public health.

Find out more about our Biological and Chemical Sciences common entry programme: Biological and Chemical Sciences (Common Entry) | University of Limerick