Available Hours: 10-20 hrs / week (flexible for time and number of hours)
Project Description:The ANTEC core hosts several materials characterization instruments, including mechanical testing apparatus of biomaterials. One of the instruments is the Piuma nanoindenter, which can measure the stiffness of materials ranging from biological tissues to stiff polymer hydrogels. In the upcoming project, the student will familiarize themselves with the nanoindenter, and develop a validation protocol for stiffness measurements using commercially available standard materials. The student will evaluate the reproducibility of the measurement as a function of probe stiffness and smoothness of the test materials, and develop a custom mold from 3D printers that researchers can use in the future.
Center for Advanced Microscopy & Nikon Imaging Center (CAM / NIC)
Available Hours: Ideally 3 days/week. We can accommodate fewer hours and may be able to add additional duties to get it 5
Project Description: The project will focus on two main aspects: the first is learning about core facility technical support including light microscope quality control (laser power measurements, alignment, and ensuring cleanliness of optical components) and overall support to basic electron microscopy tasks including preparation of buffers. Depending on the timing there could be a second objective related to samples we are testing for tissue clearing protocols and light sheet imaging workflows. This might include sample processing, and solution preparation for these samples.
Project Description: As a core facility providing centralized histopathology and tissue analytics services, the MHPL provides an excellent training opportunity for students who wish to learn more about histotechnology and pathology laboratory techniques. The MHPL can provide training in routine histopathology lab skills (biological specimen processing for microtomy and histological staining of tissue sections) and advanced immunostaining analyses (immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence), research tools that are relevant to diagnosing disease pathology in pre-clinical and translational research models. Preference is given to students who are majoring in histotechnology or those with particular interest in biomedical research using in vivo models for diseases. Minimum requirement of previous basic biology and chemistry lab experience/course completion are required to meet the demands to prepare lab reagents and solutions with minimal supervision. The internship is for in-person lab benchwork only.
Project Description: An intern will help NUSeq with DNA and RNA sample QC. From the previous rounds of the Internship Program, two interns are hired as Core staff in succession to cover this task. A new intern can assist the second intern-converted staff in performing this task.
Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (SBDRC-GetIN)
Project Description: The project and level of complexity will depend on the previous experience of the intern. There are three potential projects that can be conducted to train the intern and provide some potential benefit to the Stem Cell Core.
We will explore the optimization of sample preparation to improve PBMC recovery and reprogramming efficiency.
We will establish the clonal efficiency and generation of spheroids from iPSCs and neural progenitor cells using a benchtop cell sorter.
We will establish a protocol to generate organoids and monitor their growth, morphology, and reproducibility.
Transgenic and Targeted Mutagenesis Laboratory (TTML)
Available Hours: 1 day/week (may combine with Stem Cell or SBDRC)
Project Description: The Transgenic and Targeted Mutagenesis Laboratory is a Northwestern University-wide shared resource that utilizes CRISPR technology to generate genetically engineered mice for the study of development and disease. The primary objective of the proposed project is to expand the core's genotyping approaches to improve the characterization of founder mice that have passed the initial genetic screen. The intern will collaborate closely with the core team to refine the current protocol for identifying medium-sized DNA inserts in the mouse genome by evaluating genotyping methodologies employed by other cores. The current approach involves amplifying the region of interest using Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCRs). To complement the existing PCR screening, new PCR assays will be developed to confirm that the on-target insertion is intact and free of extra repeats (concatemers) that could render the mutation non-functional. Through this project, the intern will gain experience performing PCR, designing primers, and optimizing PCR conditions to detect genetic modifications, ensuring that the selected mice carry the correct mutation for downstream experimentation. This initiative aims to enhance the reliability of founder characterization, streamline workflow processes, and reduce turnaround times, thereby strengthening the core’s support for research projects. Additionally, the project will provide the intern with valuable hands-on experience in CRISPR applications and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to advancements in transgenic research workflows.
Develop and write up an SOP to calibrate x-ray microCT images from our new scanner. For specimen, the data is in arbitrary intensity scale. For medical imaging, the intensity values need to be calibrated in Hounsfield units. There are a few ways to do it, and it needs to be standardized.
There are several recipes" in the literature for staining specimen for microCT, similar to staining for histology. However, the recipe and imaging conditions need to be standardized together for a particular scanner.
Project Description: The intern, under the supervision of senior scientists, will be responsible for developing and optimizing a one-vector, whole-genome CRISPR screening protocol. Currently, a protocol for a two-vector system, wherein the Cas9 protein and CRISPR guide RNAs are introduced into the cells and selected for sequentially, has been developed and implemented for CRISPR screens run by the HTA. For many projects, this approach is not feasible, due either to an already existing selection marker that precludes the separate Cas9 transduction, or limitations caused by the growth patterns of the cells. Skills learned will include cell culture, sterile technique, bacterial transduction, cell transfection, transduction and selection, viral production, and flow cytometry. Depending on progress, participant will get additional experience with PCR, library prep, and processing sequencing data.
Northwestern University Micro/Nano Fabrication Facility (NUFab)
Project Description: In the semiconductor industry, as technology continues to scale and the demand for better performance, energy efficiency, and functionality increases, 3D architectures have gradually replaced traditional 2D structures as the mainstream for integrated circuits. The critical dimensions of 3D structures, particularly the aspect ratio (the ratio of vertical height to lateral width), serve as key figures of merit, directly influencing the ultimate performance of devices. The picture below shows 2.5D and 3D integrated circuits based on high-aspect-ratio TSVs (through silicon via). Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) is a pivotal technique for achieving high aspect ratios [1], leveraging the Bosch" process—a method based on alternating cycles of protective film deposition and isotropic plasma etching. Achieving deep silicon etching with the desired high aspect ratio requires careful optimization of both the deposition and etching parameters. In this project, the student will perform the DRIE Bosch process on silicon wafers and investigate the effects of key process parameters, including etch rate, profile uniformity, and sidewall quality. The objective is to optimize these parameters and develop recommendations to achieve uniform and precise high aspect ratio (HAR) structures using the DRIE process. This project provides valuable hands-on experience in semiconductor process development, a critical skill set for careers in semiconductor manufacturing, microfabrication, MEMS, and advanced materials.