Message from NIG-INTERN 2015

The 9th Summer Research Program for Undergraduates, NIGINTERN 2015, was carried out from May to September. 4 selected participants enjoyed 10 weeks research internship program at their host laboratories.

Members

Nandhitha Uma NARESH
From:R.V College of Engineering
Stayed at:Division of Microbial Genetics / Araki Laboratory
Exhilarated on receiving the confirmation of my selection, I was greatly looking forward to my internship at NIG. Having been a long-time admirer of the Japanese culture, my visit to Japan was a dream come true.
Getting accustomed to living in Japan was not tough at all. The most impressive aspect is the kindness of people there.
My project dealt with studying DNA replication in Eukaryotes, particularly, the helicase activity of CMG complex upon purified nucleosomes (using yeast DNA substrate). My work at Araki Lab (Division of Microbial Genetics) was extremely interesting. My interactions with Araki-sensei and all lab members truly inspired me to pursue a career in the field of research. Through my project I learnt a great deal of techniques and had the opportunity to use sophisticated equipment. My mentor, Hizume-san leading me in the project at every stage provided me with an insightful research experience. It made me realise that pleasure of research is not simply about obtaining grand results, but it’s the joy in the process of making the smallest discoveries. The lab visits at NIG facilitated me to learn about the on-going and cutting edge research at the institute. It changed my perspective and views on various fields of genetics.
Apart from the scientific activities, I could also explore and travel places during my stay. I truly enjoyed my weekend trips to Numazu, Atami and Tokyo. Especially my visit to Tokyo with friends was fun-filled as I got to view one of Tokyo’s largest summer festivals! It was a perfect balance of work on weekdays and fun on weekends. Not to forget, the Japanese lessons from Miyauchi-sensei once a week at NIG added to my ease of communication.
In the two months, I had settled in so well that NIG became my home and all the people I met (friends and lab members) became my NIG family. Thanks to everyone for making my stay a memorable one indeed.
Divyansh JAIN
From:Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Stayed at:Division of Human Genetics / Inoue Laboratory
The extreme help from NIG Internship team starts even before landing Japan. The invaluable help provided by the NIG team can’t be framed into words. The day I entered the NIG I was greeted so cheerfully by my lab. Inoue sensei introduced me to the whole lab and to the work. Inoue sensei’s lab is doing one of the remarkable work in human genetics.
Throughout my internship, I have also learnt to develop a sense of independence in my work, which I do not have much as an undergrad student. Whenever I encountered problems at work, even though I could always seek for help, I usually was given a chance to explore how to tackle problems on my own. I am sure the characteristic and manner I have accumulated interning here will best prepare me for my independent research work as a graduate student in the future.
Apart from the wonderful time in lab, it was really a great experience to go for lab visits. The regular seminars and the colloquium give insight into other labs’ work. Not only the lab work is wonderful, my trip to Japan was one of the great experiences on its own. Japanese people are most warm people I have ever seen. They helped us at each level. Help from the Japanese classes by Miyouchi sensei was fun and informative.
Besides getting to experience life as a “researcher”, I also enjoyed my summer here immersing myself into the colorful culture of Japan and making lots of friends. I tried various Japanese foods and loved most of them dearly. Through my Japanese class, I was also introduced to Japanese ways of living. Going to the Numau, Atami, visiting Tokyo and watching dolphin show with my co-interns were all contributing to making my experiences in Japan an AMAZING one!
One other thing I’d like to talk about “this internship provides an invaluable chance to learn about other cultures besides Japan. Take advantage of it”.
My time here has shown me that everyone wishes for happiness out of life, no matter what our background, home-country, culture, etc. The only distinction lies within the approaches we take to earn that happiness within our lives. To everyone who has taken part in my experience here in Japan, it has been an honor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been a true pleasure.
Tien Yu HSIN
From:National Tsing Hua University
Stayed at:Cell Dynamics and Organization Laboratory / Oda Laboratory
This is an extraordinary experience to participate in an excellent lab that I admire. It is so unreal that just one application can I have access and hands-on lab work of a technique I especially appreciate on papers. In NIG I see that potential of science. Some principle investigators can be young and potential. The long internship endowed me the time to make Japanese friends, explore places in Japan while learn each other’s languages at the same time. Joining in an all-Japanese environment also enables me the ability to pick up Japanese day by day. The organized research system and serious research attitude of Japan amazes me. During lab visit I can come up with many possible results of the lab works with professors and envision future together. I even acquire a PhD invitation from lab visit. In near future I hope I can succeed in bridging the academic activities between my home university and NIG. I did try to connect the ITRI, Taiwan with NIG as well. Yet I think NIG or patent office should be more prepared and ready to introduce, transfer and marketing to grasp every opportunity. And the most exciting Xylogenic cell culture system of Oda sensei’s lab is very powerful. Senbeis of the lab are also all full of research talent and skilled in many techniques. I always enjoy learning using microscopy, utilizing culture cells from these young and potential scholars. I bless every international students and distinguished senbeis and scholars ever helped me in these 10- weeks. I wish we can all still grow and mature by the time we meet again to sit down and admire the beauty of Science from different angles once again.
Jui Chun WANG
From:National Taiwan University
Stayed at:Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology / Kawakami Laboratory
I learned very important experience and had a memorable summer in Niginterns2015. At National Institute of Genetics I enjoyed the wonderful research environment and exciting discussion about all kinds of interesting discussion about science.
During the internship, I studied about Zebrafish behavior and genetic expression pattern in telencephalon in Kawakami lab, Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology. Before I worked on my project I was trained to be familiar about skills in Zebrafish like microinjection. I was not good at making small movement by my hand but everyone was patient, always tried to tell me their tips about this skills.
I also joined lab meeting, including journal club and other’s progress report. I love talking with others about something new; learning new idea and even thinking of some new idea always makes me happy. All the people in my lab are willing to share their idea and some strategies with me. And sometimes that inspired me some idea, which are the most wonderful movements in my internship.
I tried to design experiment for my own project, too. I gained valuable experience about operating an experiment, especially on trouble shooting. I was carefully taught form the correct attitude to interpret raw data and to face some strange result to the strategies of figure out and fix out the error if anything wrong happened. I think trying to solve these problems with good (but not too much) assist is one of the most important processes as a beginner in research area and Kawakami lab and this project gave me this opportunity.
Guest house give most of the equipment I need for living, there is a big supermarket close and cafeteria provide good foods, which made me don’t need to worry about daily life and focus on research and learning. And both Tokyo and Kyoto can be reached in half day, so in some weekend I could also enjoy some relaxing traveling towards those famous sites or special event. Also, Fuji Mountain and Mishima Taisha are great and famous sites which in this region. Hot spring is famous, too.
In all NIG gave me great learning experience with balanced relaxing facilities. I can learn lots of interesting things in good status in NIG. It is really a fortune that I can join NIGinternship2015.