Science and superheroes: meet researcher Dr Rana Fetit

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I’ve always had a passion for science, but also loved art and sketching. When choosing a career path, I was torn between studying science or fine art, but ultimately science took the lead. I’m from Egypt and did a Pharmacy and Biotechnology degree in Cairo. Then a master's degree in Cancer Biology, and a neuroscience PhD in Edinburgh. I’ve always enjoyed working with stem cells, and I started working with Anna in 2023 to try and repair the myelin lost in MS.  

Can you give us an overview of your current research? 

Our bodies have an incredible natural ability to repair myelin. Special cells can travel to the damaged area and turn into myelin-making cells called ‘oligodendrocytes’. I’m particularly interested in these cells. Recent studies in our lab have shown there are different types of oligodendrocytes, each with distinct characteristics. And different types appear in different parts of the brain and spinal cord. The mix of oligodendrocytes also differs between people with and without MS.  

My work focuses on transforming human stem cells in a dish into each of these oligodendrocyte types.  My aim is to identify a type that’s particularly good at repairing damaged myelin. Then it might be possible to develop a targeted therapy for MS.  

Can you tell us about the comic you’ve designed?  

I was inspired by the sheer curiosity of my kids. I have two wee ones and we’re really into science at home. I was trying to think of how I could explain MS and my work to them. I developed the idea of a comic about these neurons that are trying to send a message. The immune patrol is attacking them and making it hard to get the message through. It evolved into ‘The Flickering Message’ which I’ve now self-published.  

Did anyone inspire the characters in your comic? 

It’s mostly based on my wee ones - they’re very expressive and funny. Every time I thought of a character, I’d imagine what their faces would look like. The research pages of the MS Society website were also helpful to guide the story. 

Why do you think it’s important to communicate science to children and why are your comics a powerful tool? 

It’s something I’ve always found very fulfilling and important- I love doing voluntary work communicating science in schools and at public science days. Kids have so much potential, and they are so smart. If you can give them the knowledge and help them to understand the world then they can go on to explore and find solutions. Also, many children are affected by MS and tools like this could really help them to understand what their loved ones living with MS are going through and why. It also helps us as researchers to remind ourselves of the impact our work can have. 

Do you plan on telling the story of your specific research through comics?  

I hope so! I’ve got lots of ideas which I hope to develop as I find more leads in my work. The dream story that I’d love to tell would be of a weary nomad neuron who’s tired of not finding the help he needs. He eventually comes across a dream oligodendrocyte that can help him recover and find himself and his purpose!