Study Visit at the University of Helsinki: Advancing PCR, Bioinformatics, and Interdisciplinary One Health Research 

From November 23 to December 7, 2025, Maëlle Astride Elizabeth Beck, a veterinarian and second-year PhD student at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, participated in a study visit at the University of Helsinki. Maëlle is a veterinarian and second-year PhD student researching microbiota and immune development of neonatal lambs. She graduated from the veterinary medicine program of the Estonian University of Life Sciences in 2024. Prior to that, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Strasbourg University. Maëlle’s personal area of interest is avian medicine, and she teaches veterinary students about pet bird diseases and diseases of backyard poultry. The purpose of the visit was to deepen collaboration with Helsinki University on ongoing projects about microbiota analysis, to acquire a better understanding of the PCR technique used in her research, and to learn the basics of data processing using bioinformatic tools available at the University of Helsinki. 

Learning Outcomes

During the visit, Maëlle gained hands-on experience in PCR, a critical technique for her microbiota research, collaborating closely with laboratory technicians. She also accessed Helsinki University’s high-performance computing resources to learn the basics of bioinformatics data processing, including PICRUSt2, significantly enhancing her capacity for future research analyses.

In addition to technical skills, she expanded her understanding of interdisciplinary research by engaging with PhD students, recent graduates, and researchers from diverse fields, including veterinary medicine, microbiology, virology, food science, and social sciences. 

Key Highlights:

• Visits to multiple facilities, including the large research laboratory hosting multiple specialties (microbiology, virology, food science), the small animal and equine sides of the university animal hospital, and buildings in the city center where social sciences are taught.

• Shadowed a veterinary dentist for a day.

• Meetings and exchanges with a wide variety of researchers and veterinarians, including PhD students and recent graduates, discussing possible future avian-related research.

• Participation in the RESET event, which highlighted the relevance of social sciences in One Health research.

In Maëlle’s own words:

"I was invited to the RESET Christmas event, which made me realize how important my own background in sociology and social sciences is when practicing research in veterinary medicine. I got to see how One Health can positively affect the world we live in, with veterinarians, environmental specialists, but also inequality and urban researchers working on the same topics." 

Knowledge Transfer to the Estonian University of Life Sciences

The visit provided opportunities to build a network that will benefit Maëlle during her PhD research on microbiota and in future bird-related research projects. She also observed how interdisciplinary research is fostered at the University of Helsinki through groups and organizations such as OH-Boost and the RESET alliance, which bring together individuals from different backgrounds. 

A sincere thank you to the team of the University of Helsinki, in particular Dr. Mikael Niku, for their guidance, mentorship, and warm welcome. This study visit was a unique opportunity to expand technical skills, deepen understanding of One Health, and foster international collaboration.

The visit was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme.