Biologics Discovery Pathology Summer Intern 2012
Biologics Discovery Pathology Summer Intern 2012 - BS or MS
Biologics Discovery Pathology Summer Intern 2012 - BS or MS:PAT000106 Description Merck is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products, as well as animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company - one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career. The internship will be within the Pathology Department at the Palo Alto site of Merck Research Laboratories (MRL). The central mission of the Palo Alto site of MRL is Biologics Discovery. The site has extensive and long-standing expertise in development of monoclonal antibodies and other engineered proteins for therapeutic purposes. Work conducted at the Palo Alto site is currently focused on addressing unmet medical needs in oncology, respiratory disease, immune-mediated disease, and diabetes. The intern project will involve work with the Duolink Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA). PLA is a technique by which protein-protein interactions in cells and tissues can be identified and quantitated. In this technique, antibodies against two proteins of interest are applied to a sample, as in standard immunhistochemistry. The primary antibodies are then detected by a pair of secondary antibodies each of which has an oligomer tag. If the antibodies are within sufficiently close proximity, the oligomers bound to the secondary antibodies will hybridize and can be amplified in a rolling circle amplification process in which the amplification products are fluorescently labeled. In this method, each detected interaction yields a discrete fluorescent spot, allowing quantitation of the interactions across samples. Our lab is in the process of optimizing this method on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, and is looking to a) improve our ability to quantitate protein-protein interactions with this technique by enhancing signal brightness to allow full-slide scanning across a large dynamic range of signal for subsequent digital image analysis, and to b) enhance the technique's flexibility by developing techniques for multiplexing it with other labeling methodologies, including variations on standard immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization. In addition to methods development work with this assay, several applications of the technique to evaluate protein-protein interactions between antigen pairs involved in recognition of particular proteins involved in the immune response in inflammatory disease and cancer are pending and could form part of the intern project. The Palo Alto site of MRL provides a vibrant and exciting research environment where the selected intern will get the opportunity to learn cutting-edge techniques with broad application while experiencing from the inside what it is like to work in pharmaceutical discovery. Qualifications Required: * Experience working in a laboratory environment and a high level of comfort with basic laboratory techniques and procedures * Bachelor level or Master level candidate with at least 1 year remaining before graduation at time of internship * Degree field must be in Biological Sciences or a major that falls under that category Our employees are the key to our company's success. We demonstrate our commitment to our employees by offering a competitive and valuable rewards program. Merck's benefits are designed to support the wide range of goals, needs and lifestyles of our employees, and many of the people that matter the most in their lives. To be considered for this position, please visit our career site at www.merck.com/careers to create a profile and submit your resume for requisition #PAT000106. Merck is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V - proudly embracing diversity in all of its manifestations.