Course Syllabus
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2024 - DIS Stockholm |
| Research Mentors: |
Jan Mulder Nick Mitsios Emma Gerrits |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 6 Credits |
| Major Disciplines: | |
| Prerequisites: |
One year of chemistry and one year of either biology or physics at university level. |
| Academic Support: | |
| Program Director: |
Susana Dietrich - research@dis.dk |
Prerequisites
One year of chemistry and one year of biology or physics at the university level.
Research Assistant (RA): Mapping Protein Distribution in the Brain
Research Assistantships (RAs) at DIS provide students the opportunity to gain hands-on project experience as a member of an external research group in a variety of science fields. Research assistantships are one semester and may involve various opportunities (laboratory, clinical, fieldwork, data-mining, etc.). Students apply to existing projects with DIS Research Mentors who offer technical, academic, and professional guidance throughout the project - developing relationships that benefit both DIS students and the local research institution.
The Human Protein Atlas aims to visualize protein expression and protein distribution in all major organs and tissues of the human body. The laboratory of Jan Mulder at the Karolinska Institute is responsible for the brain section of the Human Protein Atlas, providing data on protein expression in various regions of the brain of different mammalian species. By using transcriptomics and antibody-based approaches to visualize protein location and transcriptomics approaches to detect protein expression, this research group aims to solve some of the biological mysteries related to (human) brain functions and brain diseases.
We offer a project with a focus on neurobiology linking genes to cells, cellular processes, and brain (patho)physiology.
Neurobiology projects:
- Understanding biological aspects of normal mammalian brain physiology
- Understanding molecular aspects of pathophysiology of brain diseases
- Identifying species differences between humans and other mammalian species.
Learning Objectives
Through the RA program, DIS students learn technical skills in a particular scientific field while experiencing the dynamics of a European research institution. Student progress is documented in a research journal and the completion of writing assignments (e.g. bibliographies, drafts, presentation materials, research papers) under the expertise of the Research Mentor. Student expectations may also include participation in group meetings, journal clubs, or other opportunities associated with active membership in a research laboratory. At the end of the semester, RAs share their work with peers and professionals in the Research Symposium at the DIS End-of-Semester Showcase.
As a research assistant on this project, you will create a project theme based on a brain area, cell type, protein family, brain disease or species difference. You will explore publicly available data from the human protein atlas and other data sources to collect data and create a shortlist of 5-10 proteins to study in more detail. Depending on your selected theme, you will use immunofluorescence techniques to visualize each selected protein in human (healthy or disease) or animal tissue and select your favorite protein. In the remaining project time, you will design multiplex immunofluorescence experiments that will reveal 1) what cells express your protein of interest, 2) in what cellular compartment your protein of interest is located and 3) create a hypothesis on the role of your protein of interest in biology or pathology.
Course Structure
The 6-credit RA experience is designed for highly motivated students with a strong interest in developing their research skills. Students must be willing to commit significant time during the term to hands-on research at an external local university or institute. Given the unpredictable nature of original research, time commitments may vary week-to-week; in general, students should arrange their schedules to dedicate an average of 20 hours per week to RA work, in close association with DIS and the Research Mentor. Specific hours and expectations will be shared by the mentor to ensure active participation in the research group.
An RA project is part of a larger, ongoing effort at a local research institution. Individual projects are student-motivated with the mentor's guidance and supervision. The goal is to pursue RA work of interest to the student, to their mentor, and to the larger research team. A gradual transition toward independence is encouraged, as the student gains confidence and is able to self-direct the work.
The primary product of the RA's work is an independent research paper summarizing literature and data reviewed, collected, analyzed, and contextualized by the student in the course of the term. Although it is not expected that the final paper be suitable for professional publication, it should document a clear rationale for the RA's work, appropriately referenced foundational literature, details of the approach and methods, preliminary results, and quantitative analysis, in support of subsequent phases of research in the larger group. The structure of the report should correspond to disciplinary standards, as specified below and in the rubric(s) provided.
Assignments & Evaluation
RAs complete incremental writing assignments to support their engagement and learning throughout the project, culminating in a final presentation and research paper. Evaluated assignments, and their contribution to the overall RA grade, are summarized below.
20 % Presentation: A live, short-form audio-visual summary of the semester's work, typically a poster or oral presentation, appropriate for an audience of DIS students, faculty, and other academics. By presenting the work shortly before completing the final report, the RA has a chance to finalize illustrations, plots, or other graphic support for their findings with the research mentor, and to discuss the project with a wide range of colleagues.
60 % Research Paper: Final written report of the student’s work throughout the semester, including project objectives, background context, approach/methods, data or other outcomes, analysis and significance to the field and the wider world. Although not produced with the intent of publishing, the final paper should be structured according to standards for primary literature in the field, and sufficiently detailed to support ongoing work in the research group.
10 % Participation Research assistant ship at KI: A portion of the final evaluation based on attendance, citizenship, or other qualitative aspects of engagement as an RA. At the local institution, students are expected to maintain a research log and participate in meetings, journal clubs, and other opportunities as much as possible. At DIS, RAs also participate in workshops to support interdisciplinary reflection on the research process.
10 % Participation Research community at DIS: A portion of the final evaluation based on attendance, citizenship, or other qualitative aspects of engagement as an RA at DIS. These include particpation in research workshops and presentation of research at the DIS festival.
Research Mentors
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Jan Mulder email: |
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| Nicholas Mitsios
BSc in Molecular Biology (Liverpool, 1998) and PhD in Molecular Biology of Ischemic Stroke (Manchester, 2005). Currently a researcher at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute and the Brain Profiling sub-unit of the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) project since 2011. Research focuses on the central nervous systems of mammals, with an emphasis on the identification of proteins involved in brain normal development and pathophysiology. With DIS since 2020.
email:
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Emma Gerrits PhD in Molecular Neurobiology and Bioinformatics (University of Groningen, 2022). Postdoctoral researcher at the department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet since 2022. Research focus on neurodegenerative diseases and analysis of high-throughput omics data. With DIS since 2023. email: emma.gerrits@ki.se |
Academic Regulations:
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Course Schedule
In addition to the key dates listed below and in the calendar, RAs are expected to communicate regularly with the Research Mentor. It is the student's responsibility to ask questions or seek additional support in a timely manner.
Before Arrival
RAs are connected with Research Mentors prior to the start of the term by email. Students may be provided 10–15 hours of preparatory reading material before the semester starts.
Weekly
When in Stockholm, unless otherwise arranged, RAs are expected at Biomedicum of the Karolinska instituted at the scheduled time-slots (individual schedules).
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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