Sara Roggiani is a PhD student at the University of Bologna, Italy. Her research focuses on how gut bacteria change in diseases, affect treatment outcomes, and how we can use methods like probiotics or fecal transplants to restore balance. She is currently undertaking an internship with us to learn more about culturomics techniques for studying previously unculturable gut bacteria. This interview covers her research, her thoughts on our lab and Gothenburg, and her views on science.

What are you hoping to learn from the internship and what have you been doing so far?
"I hope to gain practical experience with culturomics techniques and develop a deeper understanding of how we can cultivate and characterize previously unculturable gut bacteria. Beyond the technical aspects, I believe that being part of such a dynamic and multicultural team will also help me improve my interpersonal and communication skills, which are essential for any researcher. During my internship, I’ll be working on characterizing potential new bacterial species from the lab’s strain library."

How come you decided on our lab for your internship?
"I came across some of Professor Bäckhed’s publications and found them incredibly inspiring and comprehensive. His team’s work on cultivating new microorganisms and figuring out how to manipulate them really fascinated me. I saw this lab as the perfect opportunity to learn from experts on microbiome research and gain hands-on experience in culturomics techniques. Plus, the international collaborations and multidisciplinary approach made it an exciting environment to broaden my scientific perspective."

 What are your impressions from the lab and the city of Gothenburg/Sweden?
"The lab has a fantastic collaborative atmosphere, where everyone is not only passionate about their work but also genuinely supportive of one another. As a foreigner, I felt welcomed from day one, which made it easy to integrate right away! One of the things I’ve appreciated the most are the Friday lab meetings, where we get to hear about what other researchers in the lab are working on. It’s a great opportunity to get to know colleagues better, exchange ideas, and even find new insights to apply to our own research. Gothenburg is such a beautiful city, I love its relaxed atmosphere and how close you are to nature. Exploring the parks and nature reserves has been one of my favorite things to do here, Gothenburg is the perfect place to enjoy both city life and the outdoors."

 How would you explain your research to someone who is not familiar with science?
"Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria, many of which we still don’t fully understand because they are difficult to grow in a lab, some are even so sensitive to oxygen that they can’t survive when exposed to it. While researchers have linked certain bacteria to health and disease, their exact roles are still mostly unknown. By isolating and studying these bacteria, we can better understand their functions and determine whether they contribute to disease, help prevent it or play other important biological roles."

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in research?
"Stay curious and don’t be afraid to fail. Things won’t always go as planned and every mistake is a chance to learn something new. Be open to learning new techniques, exploring different approaches and adapting as you go."

 If you could change one thing about the way people understand science, what would it be?
"I’d love to change the idea that science offers instant answers or that it is just a collection of absolute truths. People often see scientific knowledge as final, but in reality, science is a constant process of discovery. I’d also encourage everyone to be more critical of their information sources, especially in today’s digital world where misinformation can spread easily."

 What's one lab tool or technique you couldn’t live without?
"I’m excited to know more about anaerobic bacteria so my favorite lab equipment would be the anaerobic chamber."

 Finally, anything to share about life/time outside lab?
Back in my hometown in Italy, I play the flute in an orchestra. I enjoy exploring nature and traveling to experience new cultures and traditions. I love reading and taking relaxing walks with my dog to clear my mind.

Thank you for all your hard work and for spreading your positive attitude to everyone!