Princeton University

Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR): Institute of Nanobiology and Structural Biology, Department of Structure and Function of Proteins
Location: Nové Hrady, Czech Republic
The Laboratory of Structural Biology was founded in 2002 as a joint laboratory of the Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology of the Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Physical Biology of the University of South Bohemia named Laboratory of High Performance Computing.The laboratory today combines methods ranging from computational and spectroscopic to molecular biological and biochemical--and, in collaboration with the Kuta Smatanova, lab protein crystallization. With its focus on molecular systems biology, the relationship between structure and function of proteins, dynamic changes related to functional processes on the level of proteins, and the mutual interaction of co-factors and subunits in protein complexes, the laboratory is an integral part of the new research concept of the Institute. IIP interns will be introduced to the computational methods for building and investigation of biological systems and will be able to analyze dynamical changes in systems and learn how to interpret generated data. IIP interns will use special software for modeling biological systems and carrying out molecular dynamics simulations, partly using massive parallel calculations on a beowulf-computer cluster. The underlying experimental basis of all structural information comes from protein crystallography done in house. After getting intense training during the first weeks, IIP interns will each be responsible for a sub-project that leads to a clear outcome/prediction that can be experimentally verified. Possible sub-projects include a computational project and an experimental project.

• Computational Project: Modeling interactions in and between biomolecules and complex biologically relevant systems. The intern will mainly work with computational tools on data, that are produced by experimentalists in house. The IIP intern will get insight into how experimental data, such as X-ray structures, are generated and will collaborate directly with the scientists working in that area.
• Experimental Project: The experimental basis for modeling interactions in and between biomolecules and complex biologically relevant systems for the restriction modification system EcoR124I. The IIP intern will not repeat something somebody has done already, but would use a unique mutant that should alter the functionality of either the DNA translocation or the endonuclease activity. The project would involve: 1) Polymerase chain reaction using primers that would introduce the mutation, amplification of the DNA; 2) Growing of e.coli cells used later for over-expression; 3) Over-expression of protein in e.coli cells; 4) French pressing the cells to disrupt them; 5) isolation of protein from the crude extract using gel filtration and affinity and ion exchange chromatography; 6) Malachite green assay to monitor ATPase activity of your protein; 7) in vitro assay of DNA cleavage; 8) Limited proteoplysis. In nearly all steps SDS-phage electrophoresis is used to monitor either the successful amplification, the over-expression, the protein purity or the fragments after cleavage. In parallel the theoretical work would include: 1) Generation of a homology model of point mutation, 2) Docking of ATP into the system, 3) Molecular dynamics simulation of the system in simple-point water, and 4) calculation of the ATP binding energy.

Applicants should have academic interest in life sciences; an understanding of biologically relevant systems and how they can be understood by computational modeling; a good background in physics and mathematics; and a good relation to computers as a scientific tool. General UNIX knowledge is welcome, but no programming is required. Two placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.

A*STAR Institute of Medical Biology (IMB)
Location: Singapore, Singapore
IMB is an institute in the biomedical sciences cluster of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). It started operating in 2007 with a coalescence of research programs from the Centre for Molecular Medicine and the laboratories of the Singapore Stem Cell Consortium. It has already been joined by groups from top institutions in Singapore and the U.S. and from the biotechnology industry. The overarching goal of the lab in which IIP interns would be placed is to develop efficient protocols that convert pluripotential HESCs into functional beta cells. If produced in bulk and in a clinically-compliant fashion, these cells could provide an inexhaustible supply of material for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.  The lab focuses on three general questions: (1) how to produce bona fide DE from HESC; (2) how to assign pancreatic fate to this progenitor population; and lastly (3) how to specifically direct the progressive specification of early pancreatic cells toward the mature beta cell fate. Manpower is apportioned equally among these aims, and successful IIP interns will be paired with a senior member of the lab to pursue one of these fast-moving projects. Applicants should have competency in basic molecular biology and a keen interest in biomedical research. One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern. This internship can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application).

Center for Structural Biochemistry, University of Montpellier
Location: Montpelier, France
The general objective of the Center for Structural Biochemistry (CBS) is to carry out research at the forefront of structural biology and biophysics as a means to reveal the fundamental physical mechanisms underlying biological activity and its regulation, and where possible to exploit this knowledge in the conception of new therapeutic strategies in human health and disease. The selected IIP intern will be involved in one of the various research themes developed in the lab. One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern.

EaStCHEM, University of Edinburgh, School of Chemistry
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
The School of Chemistry (SoC) is part of EaStCHEM, the joint Chemistry Research School of Edinburgh and St. Andrews. EaStCHEM scored highest in the U.K. in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (meaning that its research is ranked highest in the country). Within the SoC there is research being carried out in a wide variety of areas. Possible projects may involve developing new sensors for monitoring environments within living cells. This is an extremely interdisciplinary area where a keen interest in biology/medicine is required as well as an understanding of chemistry. In previous years IIP interns have been responsible for developing biological assays using fluorescence or working on solar power. One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern.

École Polytechnique (Research in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Economics)
Location: Palaiseau, France (near Paris)
École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research, renowned for its Ingénieur Polytechnicien (polytechnic engineer) program. Established during the French Revolution in 1794, Polytechnique became a military school under Napoleon in 1804. It relinquished this status to become a public educational establishment in 1970, though it is still overseen by the Ministry of Defense. It is a founding member of the ParisTech grouping of leading Paris-area engineering schools, established in 2007. Students can apply for a research internship in any research group within one of the 22 laboratories at École Polytechnique (you may also want to peruse the internship subjects within the research groups). Two placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns. French is not required. Do not fill out the application on the École Polytechnique website. If you are applying for this placement, put École Polytechnique on the IIP Placement application as your first or second choice and then indicate your top three choices of research groups in the "additional information or comments" section of the IIP Placement application. In your personal statement, be sure to clearly indicate why you are interested in these research groups and why you are qualified to work on such projects.

INSERM ( l'Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale)
Location: Paris, France
Created in 1964, INSERM is national research institute under the dual auspices of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. This placement is in the hospital of Kremlin-Bicetre, one of the oldest hospitals in Paris and 15-20 minutes from the heart of Paris by a direct subway line. The laboratory specializes in the field of hemostasis and thrombosis and the research focuses on hemorrhagic disorders such as hemophilia. INSERM is the only French public research body entirely dedicated to human health. Its researchers are committed to studying all diseases, whether common or rare, through their research in the fields of biology, medicine and public health. The IIP intern will first be placed under the supervision of a post-doctorate researcher who will teach him/her the techniques used in the laboratory. The IIP intern will then be entrusted with a small independent project. Examples include testing of new anti-thrombotic molecules in some in vivo murine models, setting up new assays to measure protein or activity levels of coagulation factors, and setting up a new purification techniques. The intern will be responsible for performing bibliographic search on the project that will be entrusted to him/her. He/she will also perform the experimental work with help of a senior lab member if necessary. Finally, he/she will analyze the data and draw conclusions about the subsequent experiments. This last part will be done with the intern supervisor. French language skills would be an asset but are not required. IIP candidates should have a academic background/interest in cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or medical studies. One placement has been been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern. This internship can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application).

International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste
Location: Trieste, Italy
Leading-edge research in various areas of physics, mathematics, and neurosciences are the objectives of SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies). Eight primary sectors represent the School's research core--astrophysics, condensed matter theory, elementary particle theory, functional analysis and applications, mathematical physics, neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, and statistical and biological physics. Located on the Miramare scientific campus, which also hosts the International Center for Theoretical Physics and the Theoretical Physics Department of the University of Trieste, SISSA is an essential component of the Trieste System, the grouping of national and international scientific institutes that make Trieste the "City of Science." One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern.

Pasteur Institute, Department of Cell Biology and Infection
Location: Paris, France
Since its creation in 1887, the Institut Pasteur has become famous throughout the world as a symbol of science and French culture. For 120 years, its foundation has contributed to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases through research, teaching, and public health initiatives. The Institute enjoys an independent status and has numerous other assets, with its research laboratories, technological platforms, teaching center, and medical center all located on one campus in the heart of Paris. The IIP intern will participate full-time in an ongoing research project in molecular genetics. The laboratory in which the intern will be placed is interested in deciphering the molecular and cellular mechanisms of bacterial invasion of host cells. Therefore, the laboratory connects the fields of cell biology, microbial pathogenesis, and immunology by developing novel, fluorescent microscopic approaches. Its aim is to establish approaches that correlate the pathogen behavior and the host responses in single experiments with cellular and subcellular resolution. Developing approaches in cell culture for single cells, the ultimate goal is to adjust them for studies of individual cells in the context within a living organ or within a living organism. French is not required but would be an asset. One placement has been been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern.

University of South Bohemia, Institute of Physical Biology
Location: South Bohemia, Czech Republic
This project is part of the Biological Engineering Group in the Institute of Physical Biology. IIP interns may choose from a few existing projects. In addition, projects that align with the IIP candidates’ own interests may be arranged. Possible projects include: 1) Cell monolayer cultivation, cell time-lapse microscopy, simple data evaluation all with relation to cancer research, implantology, intestinal tract diseases, etc. 2) Software testing, participation in image analysis or chromatography data analysis software development, building of data storage systems; 3) Mathematical modeling of biological processes, fluid flow description in bioreactors by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) codes, laboratory Couette-Taylor bioreactor testing, design of experiments in order to identify model parameters, proposal of new experimental protocols for essential biotechnology processes; 4) For a real science gourmand, a science history theme. For that, knowledge of 19th century German and schwabach alphabet is necessary. In the second half of the internship, the Institute organizes international summer schools. More than 50 students from all around the world will be working on similar projects. At the end of the summer school, the IIP interns will participate in a project presentation. IIP candidates should have academic background in experimental or theoretical physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, informatics, mechanical, or electrical engineering. Basic chemical or biological laboratory skills, teamwork skills and computer knowledge are recommended. Two placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.

University of Milano, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences
Location: Milan, Italy
.Established in 1999, the Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences at the University of Milano hosts laboratories involved in research in the field of Life Sciences with particular focus on the molecular aspects, ranging from Organic, Biomolecular and Computational Chemistry, to Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Fermentation Technology, Immunology, Biophysics, Zoology, Botany, and Ecology. The selected IIP intern will be given a specific task related to the main projects running in the lab and will be instructed on the involved techniques. The research in which the IIP candidate could be involved includes structural characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins, identification of the conformational and oligomeric intermediates of amyloid protein aggregation, investigation of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, analysis of protein phosphorylation. The employed techniques might include electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry, heterologous protein expression in Escherichia coli, protein purification techniques, circular dichroism, fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance, gel electrophoresis, limited proteolysis, in-gel digestion, peptide separation by high-pressure liquid chromatography. While Italian is not necessary for the internship, a basic knowledge of Italian would improve one’s international experience. A background in biology/biotechnology and biochemistry skills are a requirement. One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern.