Internship 1: Comparison of different gene knockdown experimental techniques
Reverse genetics is an approach to discover a function of the gene by reducing gene expression and
analyzing the corresponding phenotypic effects. RNA interference (RNAi) methods along with gene
editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 and TALEN are commonly used to disrupt the expression of
genes. Yale Center for Molecular Discovery is looking for a summer intern to compare the efficiency,
accessibility and feasibility of the different reverse genetic approaches.
In this internship, comprehensive literature analysis (vendor information and primary research papers)
will be performed to analyze currently available gene knockdown methods. Following this analysis,
reagents will be purchased and used in experiments with cultured human cells to knock down
expression of several genes of interest. Specifically, genes from DNA damage repair and nucleolar
biogenesis pathways will be investigated. Effects of gene modulation using different reagents will be
assessed through high-throughput imaging and image analysis. All results will be documented for future
use by YCMD and Yale faculty.