Will's internship: Iwata Lab, Kyoto University

Will is currently in his third year on our MSci Integrated Natural Sciences degree. During the summer after his second year he took part in an internship in the Iwata Lab at Kyoto University, Japan. Here, he tells us more.

Tell us about your placement and what attracted you to it

I completed an internship at the Iwata Lab in the medical school at Kyoto University. I was drawn to this particular lab to gain hands-on experience in using Cryo-EM to determine the challenging structures of membrane proteins.

What was the first thing you did as part of the placement?

The first step of the internship involved preparing plasmids containing the PAR4 GPCR, with GFP attached, using PCR.

What have you learned as part of the placement?

As this was my first time undertaking a long-term research project in a professional laboratory, I gained a wealth of knowledge. I refined fundamental molecular biology techniques such as PCR, SDS-PAGE, and E. coli culturing, while also learning more advanced procedures. These included fluorescence size-exclusion chromatography (FSEC), culturing mammalian cells in sterile conditions, advanced protein purification, and preparing samples for Cryo-EM. Additionally, I developed skills in Cryo-EM data analysis using CryoSPARC software for structure determination.

Have you enjoyed any experiences outside of the labs?

Yes! Going out with all my colleges for drinks, going camping on Shikoku, and the night life in Osaka.

What have you enjoyed most?

In the lab, I would have to say the either the data analysis using CryoSPARC or applying the coding I have learned in the last two years in other aspects of the project. However the most enjoyable part of the whole trip has to be experiencing many unique parts of Japan and Japanese culture.

Has this changed the way you think about future options?

I believe it has served to broadened my outlook for the next stage of my scientific career, fostering a more global mindset when searching for opportunities.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about summer placements?

Definitely do one, preferably not in the UK as its both cheaper to live and you will get more funding. It also gives you many unique opportunities that you would not be able to get in the UK. However any experience you can gain in industry or an academic lab will be invaluable.

What are your plans after you graduate?

Although I can’t say for certain, I am currently planning to do a PhD around applying computer science concepts like machine learning, digital communication and signal processing ect into biological research, perhaps helping design software used to this effect.

Internship support at Warwick

There are various support schemes available for those looking for biomedical internships, both internally and externally: