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Marta’s love for science was matched only by her desire to see it put into action. She was determined to take her knowledge out of the classroom and into the real world, and that’s why she chose to undertake her master’s thesis project with Lipotype – the perfect opportunity to turn theory into practice. What would she discover? What new frontiers would she explore? The possibilities were endless, and Marta was ready to embrace them all. We would like you to meet Marta Vicini, a student assistant at Lipotype.

“I’m a person who thrives on energy and movement – that’s why I’ve been a cheerleader since my college days,” says Marta, “but science has always been my passion too, and I knew that I wanted to channel that passion into a career that was just as dynamic and exciting.”

Breaking boundaries: exploring new horizons.

Marta’s passion for biotechnology began during her undergraduate studies at the University of Genoa. But as much as she loved her home city, she couldn’t help feeling restless. She yearned to explore new horizons and test herself in unfamiliar territory. And so, with a heart full of determination and a head full of dreams, she set her sights on studying abroad.

It wasn’t an easy decision. Marta came from a big, tight-knit family, and the idea of leaving everything she knew behind was daunting. But she was driven by a desire to prove herself and to find her own way in the world. As she packed her bags and prepared to embark on a new adventure.

“They say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (laugh).”

Beyond the lab

During her time at TU Dresden, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of biotechnology and molecular bioengineering. She is now eager to put her education to the test by working in a real-world setting, which is why she has decided to join the Lipotype team as a student assistant on a research project.

The project Marta is working on aims to optimize lipid extraction protocols for samples with low lipid content and high salt content, which can be difficult to analyze via mass spectrometry. By using solid-phase separation techniques, Marta and the rest of the team will be working to expand the range of samples that can be analyzed, thereby offering more comprehensive and accurate analysis services.

Stepping out of comfort zone

As Marta described her experience with Lipotype, her face lit up with excitement. She saw the opportunity as a chance to expand her knowledge and learn new things while also immersing herself in the environment of a company outside of academia.

Marta spoke about how stepping out of her comfort zone and trying something new in the industry was a great first step toward achieving her future goals. She felt that Lipotype was the perfect place to gain more insights and develop the skills she would need to pursue her career aspirations.

It was clear that Marta was filled with a sense of adventure and excitement about the possibilities that lay ahead. She was eager to embrace the challenges that Lipotype would present and was confident that this experience would help her grow both personally and professionally.

Life at Lipotype

Not only is Marta a dedicated student of molecular bioengineering, but she’s also a fitness fanatic who’s always looking to challenge herself. That’s why Marta was thrilled to learn that Lipotype values the health and wellness of its employees. Not only does Lipotype encourage exercise and a healthy lifestyle, but they also have a Lipo-Fitness session every Monday where one person organizes the High Intensive Interval Training (HIIT) program. Marta was excited to participate in this weekly fitness routine and even prepared her own workout session to share with her colleagues. According to the participants who attended her session, they were feeling the burn for a few days afterward.

Marta’s career tip: Don’t be afraid to take the bull by the horns!

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that being proactive is key. Lipotype was on my radar for ages, but I knew I couldn’t sit back and wait for them to come to me. So, I rolled up my sleeves, sent out some emails, and landed myself an interview. Simple as that! My advice to any budding scientists out there? Don’t be afraid to take the bull by the horns – you never know where it might take you!”

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At Lipotype, we’re not just a team; we’re a fascinating combination of diverse backgrounds and distinct individual personalities. We decided to unveil the concealed layers and explore the fascinating mosaic that talks about us. Guided by curiosity and laced with a touch of humor, we have devised an engaging survey to answer the fundamental question: Who are we, really?

Night Owls vs. Early Birds

Our first exciting discovery was the coexistence of night owls and early birds within our team. Among us, there are 9 night owls and 16 early birds. Fortunately, our flexible work schedule ensures that both nocturnal hours and the morning moments are imbued with the same enchantment of Lipotype’s unique energy.

Wanna cuppa?

Irrespective of when the day commences, the ritual of enjoying a cup of coffee or tea remains consistent for many. A mere 8% of us lean towards tea over coffee, while the majority hold a penchant for coffee. Interestingly, 40% of us don’t particularly mind either choice.

Beach or Mountain?

Following hard work, the yearning for vacation becomes universal. The preferences among Lipotypers prove diverse: 16% harbor a preference for beaches, 40% for the harmonious combination of mountains and beaches, 36% seek adventure amidst the mountains, and 8% aspire to unwind on their balconies.

Adventurer or Planner?

Speaking of holidays, let’s talk about holiday styles: we’ve got 11 fearless adventurers who thrive on spontaneous escapades, chasing the thrill wherever it takes them. On the flip side, there are 14 meticulous planners, armed with color-coded itineraries and backup plans for their backup plans. This unique blend of innovative thinkers and meticulous analyzers is the cornerstone of our success and exceptional teamwork.

Time travel preferences

While preferences in planning holidays may differ, one thing is for certain: embarking on a journey through time without a clear destination doesn’t sound enticing. To this end, 62.5% of Lipotypers express a desire to journey into the future, while 37.5% harbor a wish to revisit the past, if granted the ability.

At its core, Lipotype represents a captivating fusion of varied backgrounds and distinctive characters, revealed as we delve into hidden aspects. The mixture of night owls and early birds, coffee devotees and tea aficionados, along with diverse vacation inclinations, crafts a profound mosaic of individual uniqueness.

Stay tuned for the “Who are we?” Part.2 where we dive deeper into our tastes!

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If you haven’t tried kimchi yet, you’re missing out on a staple of Korean cuisine that’s gaining popularity worldwide! But for Jeongeun, a Korean native living in Germany, it’s not just the tangy, spicy taste of kimchi that she misses. Rather, it’s the culture of making and sharing Korean food that has her feeling nostalgic. Despite living abroad for years now, Jeongeun still yearns for the communal experience of preparing and enjoying this beloved dish with her loved ones.

“I used to miss Korean food itself a lot in the past, but these days I think I miss the culture of making and sharing Korean food more than the food,” says Jeongeun. That’s why she organized this kimjang party where Lipotypers can make kimchi on their own and share the cultural experience.

What is the difference between kimchi and kimjang?

Kimchi and kimjang sound very similar but they have distinct differences. Kimchi refers to the fermented vegetable dish that is a staple of Korean cuisine. Kimchi made with napa cabbage or radish is popular, but in fact, you can make kimchi with almost any type of vegetable. It is made by mixing vegetables with a variety of seasonings like fish sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili pepper flakes (gochugaru), and leaving it to ferment for several days or weeks – or even months!

Kimjang, on the other hand, is the process of making large quantities of kimchi. It usually takes place during the harvest season, late autumn. It is often that multiple families and communities come together to chop, season, and pack the vegetables into containers for fermentation. Kimjang is an important cultural event in Korea and was Inscribed in 2013 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Lipotype kimjang party

Jeongeun and her colleagues decided to host a Kimjang party to share this cultural experience with their colleagues and friends. They used 10 heads of napa cabbage, which is a popular vegetable used in kimchi, and red chili flakes, garlic, ginger, wheat flour porridge, and other ingredients to make about 20kg of kimchi.

The process of making kimchi involves a lot of preparation and hard work. The cabbage needs to be soaked in salt water to draw out moisture, then rinsed to remove excessive salt. The seasoning mixture is then applied to each leaf of the cabbage, and the cabbage is tightly packed into jars or containers to ferment for a few days. This process can take several hours or a whole day and requires a lot of hand work to massage the seasoning mixture into the cabbage.

Lipotypers successfully made a large batch of kimchi at their Kimjang party and were able to share this delicious and healthy food with their colleagues. They also gained a deeper appreciation for the traditional process of making kimchi and the hard work and dedication that goes into it.

Science behind kimchi

Kimchi is not only a savory delight but also an excellent source of several essential nutrients and health-promoting compounds. It is notably a rich source of probiotics that play a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Kimchi is also an abundant source of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals such as calcium and iron. Moreover, the regular consumption of kimchi has been associated with various health benefits, including reduced cholesterol levels and a decreased risk of certain cancers.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, kimchi is an excellent source of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a powerful antioxidant that naturally occurs in the human body. CoQ10 is vital in the production of cellular energy and plays a critical role as an antioxidant, shielding cells from free-radical-induced damage. Studies have demonstrated that the consumption of foods rich in CoQ10, such as kimchi, can significantly improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving symptoms of heart failure.

Interestingly, the average daily CoQ intake of South Koreans is estimated to be almost triple that of the average daily CoQ10 intake in developed countries, which is mainly sourced from meat. And kimchi serves as the primary source of CoQ intake for South Koreans. This highlights the significant role that kimchi can play in providing optimal amounts of CoQ10 for individuals following a plant-based or low-meat diet.

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