BCMP Scholars Program - Research Opportunities
Explore Cutting-Edge Research Opportunities at BCMP
BCMP Scholars research opportunities encompass a wide range of projects across various laboratories. These include studying cellular responses to environmental signals, analyzing protein-protein interactions crucial for cellular processes and disease mechanisms, investigating pathways linked to cancers, developing inhibitors, exploring the structure and function of filaments, and examining gene expression mechanisms in eukaryotic cells. Additionally, there is research on biologically active small molecules from bacteria and fungi, contributing to advancements in cancer biology, drug discovery, and understanding vital cellular components.
The internship projects utilize a variety of advanced techniques, including computations, genomics and genetics, biochemistry, Cryo-electron microscopy, cellular and molecular biology and bioinformatics.
Laboratories that participate in the BCMP Scholars Program include:
The Karen Adelman Laboratory at Harvard Medical School investigates how cells rapidly and precisely respond to environmental signals at the transcriptional and epigenetic levels. Using advanced genomics, genetics, and biochemistry techniques, they study gene regulation during development and in diseases like cancer. Interns will engage in research on how transcription interfaces with chromatin architecture and epigenetic features.
The Hari Arthanari Laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute focuses on the structural and functional analysis of protein-protein interactions, which are crucial for many cellular processes and disease mechanisms. Using advanced techniques like NMR spectroscopy and high-throughput screening, they aim to identify and disrupt key interactions involved in cancer. Interns will engage in research on transcription factors, translation initiation, and drug discovery, contributing to breakthroughs in cancer biology.
The Stephen Blacklow Laboratory at Harvard delves into the fascinating world of cell communication, focusing on the Notch signaling pathway. This pathway is key in cell fate decisions and its dysregulation is linked to cancers. Interns will get hands-on experience in cutting-edge research, exploring how proteins modulate signaling in normal and cancerous cells.
The Sarah Buhrlage Lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute focuses on developing first-in-class inhibitors for deubiquitinases (DUBs), enzymes that regulate protein degradation. By creating small molecules that target DUBs, they aim to validate these enzymes as therapeutic targets for cancer and other diseases. Interns will engage in research on drug discovery and protein regulation, contributing to breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
The Alan Brown Laboratory at Harvard Medical School delves into the intricate structure and function of cilia, the tiny hair-like structures on cells. Using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, they aim to understand how cilia work and what goes wrong in ciliopathies, which can lead to diseases like infertility and respiratory issues. Interns will engage in research on ciliary structure and function, contributing to breakthroughs in understanding these vital cellular components.
The Stephen Buratowski Laboratory at Harvard Medical School explores the intricate mechanisms of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Focusing on RNA polymerase II, they study transcription initiation, elongation, termination, and mRNA processing. Using cutting-edge techniques like molecular genetics, genomics, and protein biochemistry, interns will dive into the dynamic world of gene regulation.
The Jon Clardy Laboratory at Harvard Medical School explores the fascinating world of biologically active small molecules, particularly those from bacteria and fungi. Using cutting-edge techniques like high-throughput screening and genome-based discovery, they aim to uncover new natural products with potential therapeutic applications. Interns will engage in groundbreaking research on microbial symbioses and drug discovery, contributing to the understanding of how small molecules control biological processes.
The Phil Cole Laboratory at MGB focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric cancers, particularly leukemia. Using advanced techniques in genomics, proteomics, and cell biology, they aim to identify new therapeutic targets and improve treatment outcomes for young patients. Interns will engage in research on cancer biology and treatment, contributing to breakthroughs that could transform pediatric oncology.
The Sloan Devlin Laboratory at Harvard Medical School investigates the chemistry of human-associated bacteria, focusing on how the microbiome impacts health and disease. Using techniques from chemical biology, microbiology, and genomics, they study and manipulate small molecules produced by gut bacteria. Interns will engage in research on microbial interactions and their effects on human physiology, contributing to breakthroughs in microbiome science.
The Mike Eck Laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute focuses on the structural and mechanistic aspects of cancer signaling. Using advanced techniques like X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, they study how mutations in kinases lead to cancer and develop new anti-cancer drugs. Interns will engage in research on kinase regulation and drug discovery, contributing to breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
The Eric Fischer Laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute focuses on the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which is crucial for regulating protein degradation and is implicated in many diseases, including cancer. Using structural biology, cell biology, and chemical biology, they aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of ubiquitin ligases and develop new therapeutic strategies. Interns will engage in cutting-edge research on protein regulation and targeted protein degradation, contributing to breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
The Sun Hur Laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital focuses on the molecular mechanisms of antiviral immunity. They study how the immune system distinguishes between self and non-self, particularly through receptors that detect viral RNA. Using advanced techniques like cryo-EM and biochemical assays, interns will engage in cutting-edge research on immune signaling and therapeutic development.
The Andrew Kruse Laboratory at Harvard Medical School investigates the molecular basis of transmembrane signaling, focusing on proteins like G protein-coupled receptors that are crucial for human health and disease. Using techniques such as structural biology, protein engineering, and pharmacological studies, they aim to understand how these proteins function and develop new therapeutics. Interns will engage in research on membrane protein signaling, contributing to breakthroughs in drug discovery and molecular pharmacology.
The Joe Loparo Laboratory at Harvard Medical School uses single-molecule techniques to study DNA damage repair and genome maintenance. By observing individual protein interactions in real time, they uncover how cells repair double-strand breaks and regulate error-prone DNA polymerases. Interns will engage in research on DNA repair mechanisms, contributing to breakthroughs in understanding genome stability and cancer prevention.
The Josefina del Mármol Laboratory at Harvard Medical School explores the molecular mechanisms of sensory transduction, focusing on how insects detect and process odors. Using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and electrophysiology, they study the structure and function of olfactory receptors in disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes. Interns will engage in cutting-edge research on odor detection and its implications for controlling insect-borne diseases.
The Nicholas Polizzi Laboratory at Harvard Medical School focuses on de novo protein design, aiming to crack the "binding code" of protein-ligand interactions. By combining computational design methods with experimental validation, they create new proteins that bind to small molecules, which are challenging targets. Interns will engage in cutting-edge research on protein engineering, contributing to breakthroughs in metabolite sensing, proteome editing, and genetic-code expansion.
The Piotr Sliz Group at Harvard Medical School specializes in structural bioinformatics, focusing on computational tools and technologies for studying macromolecular systems. They lead the SBGrid Consortium, which provides a comprehensive software environment supporting structural biology computations. Interns will engage in cutting-edge research on high-throughput structure determination, data management, and computational biology, contributing to breakthroughs in understanding complex biological structures.
The Tim Springer Laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital focuses on receptor-ligand interactions and signal transmission across membranes. They use a wide range of techniques, including structural biology, cell biology, and single-molecule methods, to study how these interactions regulate immune responses and other cellular processes. Interns will engage in cutting-edge research on protein conformational changes and their implications for diseases, contributing to breakthroughs in immunology and cell biology.
The Johannes Walter Laboratory at Harvard Medical School, part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, investigates the mechanisms of DNA replication and repair using innovative approaches like frog egg extracts. Their research has uncovered new pathways for repairing DNA-protein cross-links and interstrand cross-links, which are crucial for maintaining genome stability and preventing cancer. Interns will engage in cutting-edge research on genome maintenance, contributing to breakthroughs in understanding and treating diseases linked to DNA damage.
The Hao Wu Laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital focuses on structural and mechanistic immunology, particularly the molecular and cellular mechanisms of innate immunity. They study inflammasomes, which are crucial for activating inflammatory responses, and explore pathways like TNF and TLR signaling. Using advanced techniques like cryo-EM and drug screening, interns will engage in cutting-edge research on immune regulation and therapeutic interventions.
The Xin Zhou Laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute integrates biomolecular engineering, chemical biology, and synthetic biology to study and rewire cell signaling from the cell surface. They focus on engineering new biomolecules to redirect oncogenic and immune pathways, aiming to develop innovative cancer therapies. Interns will engage in cutting-edge research on receptor-ligand interactions, signaling integrators, and biosensors, contributing to breakthroughs in cancer biology and therapeutic development.