Internship in the Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN) Proteomics Facility

Sep 21, 2022

Description of the Internship Position:

Training Provided:

Training will be provided at the Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN) Proteomics Facility.  Trainees will learn modern proteomics approaches using state-of-the art mass spectrometry instrumentation, as well as acquire skills that will be useful for their future careers in academia and industry, such as scientific literature interpretation, experimental design, operation of analytical lab instrumentation, and data analysis.  Training and learning will be guided by a specific set of goals and expectations highlighted at the beginning of the program.  Interns will work directly with the facility personnel for the entire period of the internship.  Such close mentor-mentee relationship will allow flexibility to adjust the learning objectives/experiences according to individuals’ interests, time commitment, and career aspirations.

Training Structure:

The intern will be trained through a 4-6 week proteomics “boot camp” exercise involving protein identification and quantification, followed by active participation in a 4-6 week pilot project focusing on improving or developing new proteomics methods.  These methods, when established, will be applied to ongoing collaborative projects with both UVM investigators and external collaborators.  Alternatively, trainees can choose to work on existing collaborative projects with investigators. There are opportunities to present findings at professional events, including VBRN Career day and UVM Student Research Conference. 

 

Work Environment

The VBRN Proteomics Facility is committed to providing full support to investigators in their work by offering a complete panel of proteomics services and training opportunities.  Trainees will be working in a dynamic environment where facility personnel interact frequently with users (principal investigators, postdocs, graduate students and staff) from over 10 UVM departments and external investigators.  The intern, if interested, could participate in various integrated facility operations, including consultations, lab discussions, and data analysis/interpretation.  This could be a good opportunity for those who are interested in exploring various types of projects for graduate school.  As the facility operates in a fashion very similar to other core facilities in academia and biotech/pharma industry, this position could also be a good transition to careers in those settings.

Depending on their career aspiration, trainees can allocate their time between method development and core facility operation.

Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN) Proteomics Facility:
The VBRN Proteomics Facility (https://vbrn.org/proteomics/), partly funded by the NIH IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence, has recently relocated to the Firestone Medical Research Building (FMRB).  The facility enables investigators to use an array of state-of-the-art MS-based techniques for proteomics experiments, ranging from routine protein identification, post-translational modification characterization and finding protein interacting partners, to large-scale quantitative proteomics analyses using stable isotopes. Since its inception in 2006, the facility has analyzed over 20,000 samples and facilitated data acquisition to support more than 180 publications (https://vbrn.org/proteomics-publications/). The facility personnel train investigators in experimental design and proteomics methods, as well as assist with data interpretation, manuscript preparation, and grant submission.  Our user base includes investigators from UVM and from institutions in 15 states.  A summary of the facility’s impact on the development of the network can be found at https://vbrn.org/proteomics-impact/.

Potential Internship Projects:

  1. Establishing structural proteomics methods (hydrogen-deuterium exchange & cross-linking MS; ETD-based disulfide bond elucidation)
  2. Improving existing methods (e.g., comprehensive high pH fractionation of tandem-mass-tag labeled peptides)
  3. Participating in Facility users’ projects
Please contact the facility (Wai Lam: ylam@uvm.edu) for more information before applying!

Goals:  

Allow trainees to:

  • Have a general overview of proteomics
  • Have a working knowledge of the critical components of basic proteomics workflows
  • Become familiar with the advanced liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) instrumentation used for proteomics via hands-on experience
  • Understand how proteomics technology can potentially be applied to problems in biological/medical sciences
  • Be involved in a small method development project
  • Gain work and management experience in a core facility environment that closely resembles “real world” laboratories in academia and industry

Structure:

Interns will work closely with VBRN Proteomics Facility personnel on:

  1. A 4-6 week proteomics “boot camp” project involving protein identification and quantification (1 lab and 1 lecture each week; guided by Sydney Cohn-Guthrie or senior interns); followed by
  2. A 3 – 4 week method development pilot project (guided by Wai Lam) or a collaborative project with UVM/external investigators (work with facility personnel)

Time and Location:

Time:

  • On an individual basis (a minimum of 80 hours/semester is required)

Location:

  • Data Analysis and mini lectures: (Data Processing Area, VBRN Proteomics Facility, FMRB 143)
  • Experimental: (VBRN Proteomics Facility, FMRB 143)
2023 Fall Schedule

Week 1-6

Training

  • Proteomics “boot camp” project: protein identification and quantification
  • Brief overview of proteomics
  • Overview of LCMS Instrumentation and operations / trouble shooting
  • Overview of various protein identification approaches
  • Overview of different protein quantification and data analysis strategies

Week 7-15

Experimental

  • Establishing new proteomics methods or
  • Improving existing methods or
  • Participating in Facility users’ projects
Students can register for BIOL 190 for internship credits!