AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business focusing on the commercialization of biologic prescription medicines. This full-time paid internship opportunity is for the summer of 2019. We are seeking candidates who are working towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry. We are also open to students who are currently pursuing a Masters or PhD. Job Description: An exciting internship opportunity is currently available in the Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity group at Medimmune/AstraZeneca. The intern will assist in the characterization of various methods to measure telomere length in cultured primary human cells. Telomere length attrition is a common feature of many pathological conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) among other age associated diseases. So, consistent and accurate quantification of telomere lengths is important for defining the disease etiology. The intern’s project will involve cell culture and cellular techniques of flow cytometry and Immunofluorescence. The successful candidate will benefit from daily interaction and collaboration with other highly accomplished scientists with diverse areas of expertise. The position offers a unique opportunity for students to get a first hand experinece of working in a dynamic and innovative biopharmaceutical environment and develop their career at the interface of basic research and drug discovery. Overview of the Assignment: The intern’s project will involve optimization of advanced cellular techniques for measuring telomere length and apply these techniques to analyze human cellular and clinical models of lung diseases at Medimmune. Telomere length attrition is a common feature of many pathological conditions such as IPF (Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among other age associated diseases. So, an accurate and consistent quantification of telomere length is necessary to understand the disease etiology. The project will include using different methods for telomere length analysis such as Q-FISH (Quantitative Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) and Flow-FISH (Flow cytometry -Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) and comparing their efficacies at predicting the disease phenotype in human cell culture models and possible application of these techniques for human clinical samples. Primary Duties: The intern will learn and implement advanced imaging methods and other cell culture basics including: maintenance and manipulation of primary human lung cells, sample preparation and cell labeling for flow cytometry and Immunoflorescence studies. Cellular and Imaging analysis using techniques such as Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy including working with a state of the art confocal microscope and flow cytometry core. These imaging and flow analysis techniques could potentially be applied to clinical tissue biopsies such as fibrotic lung biopsies in order to better understand the telomere phenotype of the diseased tissue. Required Skills: - Laboratory research experience
- Biological sample handling and preparation
- Proficiency in maintaining cell culture
- Microscopy imaging experience
- Data analysis and processing
- Highly motivated with an endearing enthusiam for solving research problems.
- Any kind of telomere based research experience is very strongly preferred.
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