From:Temple University
Stayed at:Invertebrate Genetics Laboratory / Saito Group
I had a great time in the six weeks I lived and worked at the NIG. I want to first and foremost thank the Saito lab for hosting and welcoming me. Everybody in the lab was incredibly kind and made me feel immediately comfortable. Beyond getting a chance to learn many new techniques, I had a ton of fun!
While in the Saito lab, I focused on studying how the loss of certain tRNA modification affects tRNA abundance and degradation processes. Using Mettl1/TRMT10A knockout flies, I collected gonadal tissues, ran northern blots, and analyzed RNA-sequencing data. All of this was totally new to me, but my mentors Otsubo-san and Hassan were incredibly patient and stayed to guide me even late into the night. Without their help, I’d never have managed. Moreover, Saito-sensei was always happy to help me grasp the topic and decide my next steps in light of surprising results. I learned so much in such a short period, and the lab’s enthusiasm for their research has certainly rubbed off on me.
Besides the lab, I met and became friends with many people among my intern cohort and the greater NIG community. In particular, I had a lot of fun climbing with other students and chatting at the NIG’s various gatherings. And Mishima itself is a very beautiful town (if a little sleepy); I did a lot of weekend sightseeing within the city and in other parts of Japan. Thank you to the NIG for creating this opportunity and supporting us throughout; I’ll look back on this experience fondly.
I worked in the Cell Architecture Lab, where I explored C. elegans worms. With the help and patient guidance of Prof Kimura or the way we fondly called him Prof Aki, I learned new imaging techniques, analysis tools like Cellpose and Foambryo, and more importantly, how to think like a scientist.
Outside the lab, the friendships I made became the most fun part of my experience. Together with my fellow interns, I explored Japan, navigated unfamiliar streets with shared curiosity, and built friendships over laughter, late-night chats, and the occasional convenience store treat. From our weekend trip to Atami to quiet walks around Mishima, every moment felt special.
During my internship, I worked in the Plant Evolution Laboratory, led by Fukushima-sensei. The goal of my project was to express the AGT2 protein of Cephalotus follicularis, a carnivorous pitcher plant, in the model species Nicotiana benthamiana, and visualise its subcellular localisation. My supervisor, Kanamori-san, patiently guided me through the process, from designing primers and producing a new plasmid construct, to agrobacterial culture and transformation of tobacco plants, and finally, visualisation with the FV3000 fluorescence microscope. In just 6 short weeks, we successfully confirmed the trafficking of the carnivorous AGT2 protein to the mitochondria.
During our stay, we interns were also lucky enough to participate in the NIG Retreat, a two-day getaway where members of the institute present their findings. This was my first time attending an academic conference, and it was heart-warming to see the passion and excitement of the presenters across so many different fields. Another bonus was a visit to the hotel hot spring after dark!
Outside the lab, I enjoyed travelling and soaking up the beauty of Japan. My weekends were spent exploring various temples, shrines, and gardens (and spending too much money on mementos). A particularly wonderful trip was that to Kamakura, with peaceful hikes surrounded by lush greenery and delicious street food. I will also miss the quiet days spent in Mishima, especially cooling off in the Genbei River.
It was a great honor and a truly unforgettable experience to spend six weeks at the Yamamichi Lab at the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) in Japan. My project focused on computer simulations of population dynamics, and I was amazed at how much I was able to accomplish within this short period. The research with Yamamichi-sensei was both intense and rewarding, and I am confident that the knowledge and skills I gained will benefit me throughout my future career.
This internship at NIG not only strengthened me as a scientist but also helped me to refine my research interests and better understand my desired career path and the field I would like to focus on. I learned a lot about various research fields presented at NIG, experienced its unique scientific environment, and discovered many exciting career opportunities.
I am incredibly grateful for this special opportunity of working as an intern here at the NIG. This experience has helped me grow as a person in much more ways than I ever could have imagined!
My work in the Kitano lab on stickleback fish and genome research has helped me to refine my previous skill set and allowed me to learn about new techniques and perspectives that will assist me in my future journey as a researcher. Receiving the “Best Presenter Award” was such a special honour, an award I would not have gotten without the incredible help of every single member of the Kitano lab. This award belongs to all of them as well and I am very grateful that I was able to be a part of this lab. Special thanks go to Kitano-sensei for giving me this opportunity to work in his lab and contribute to their ongoing research, while showing me nothing but kindness, and to Kanbe-san for his assistance and his patience with all the questions that I had. Participating in the NIG Retreat allowed me to connect with different fields of research and researchers alike and to learn about the many research topics covered at the NIG.
My time outside the lab was filled with countless impressions that left me with wonderful memories I will cherish forever. Having experienced just a fraction of what Japan has to offer has made me eager to visit again. From the rivers and parks of Mishima to Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Fujinomiya, Kyoto and Tokyo and all the way up to the peak of Mt. Fuji, every single place that I was able to visit has left its mark and part of me stayed behind when I returned to Germany. Those six weeks were truly amazing.
I’m deeply grateful to Maeshima-sensei for giving me this incredible opportunity, and I want to sincerely thank Adil for his patient and thorough mentorship every step of the way. I’m also truly thankful to all the Maeshima lab members for their continuous support and insightful discussions during my time at NIG.
The NIG Internship Program is about world-class science, discovery, and growth. Moreover, it’s a perfect place to meet incredible people and build meaningful bonds that make the experience truly unforgettable. Thank you, NIG, for this indispensable opportunity!