These 70 days in NIG is a not forgettable experience to me. I want to thank NTU for funding, NIGINTERN committee for organization and Koide sensei for hosting me, to give me a chance to study here.

My project is about the bitter taste sensitivity among different wild-derived strain of mice, using Sucrose octaacetate (SOA), one of the bitter tastants. Continuing the job that Miss Yang has done last year, I wanted to find out the second gene responsible for SOA sensitivity. Last year, Miss Yang has found one of the receptor genes responsible for SOA sensitivity but also indicated that other genes may participate in it too. Combined with the consomic study done before and the genetic analysis of SNP inside the receptor genes, I was able to find out more candidate genes. Then, by using calcium image, I found the second gene for SOA sensitivity. The problem became more complicated, because my study showed that some more other genes may have to involved in it. Although I did not have time to complete the project, it was really a good experiment for me and my future career. I learned how to come out with hypothesis, and how to designed the experiments to prove the hypothesis. I really learned a lot.

Working in Koide’s lab is a very nice experience. My advisor, Koide sensei, is a very kind and patient person. He solved the problems with me and guided me to finish all the experiments. Other lab members are also very nice to me. Their advice and encouragement made me strong when facing the pressures and the difficulties during the experiment. I also very impressed by the environment and cooperative in the institute. A part of my experiment was done under the help of Mizuno sensei in Iwasato’s lab. With the relaxing and friendly cultures, I can easily express my idea and get useful feedback when discussing with my lab members or even other people in the institute. Thanks to their help, I completed my internship with joy and success.

Staying in Japan was also a great memory for me. I have met some interesting and talented interns here. We climbed Mt. Fuji together, went to firework and the Mishima festivals, and cooked together. We shared our own cultures and had a lot of fun. Koide sensei also took me around and investigated the beauty and culture of Japan.

At last, I want to thank for all the people who give me this great opportunity again, and I will not forget the things that I have learned here. Thanks a lot.