Undergrad Intern - Inflammation

Undergrad Intern - Inflammation

Amgen's Inflammation department at our Seattle, Washington site is looking for an undergraduate student interested in a 10 - 12 week internship to be responsible for developing a diverse skill set while assisting a defined study on the cell surface phenotype (FACS) and immunosuppressive function of mouse (or human) lymphocytes using in vitro assays forced into oxidizing rather than glycolytic growth environments. Some work (time permitting) will involve the preparation and collection of samples to be used for gene profiling of the various metabolic conditions. These studies will help to provide the needed information to develop therapeutics that reduce effector function and/or enrich for immune suppressive activity in the treatment of inflammatory disease. The intern will have the opportunity to work directly with the PI and several senior scientists that share interests in the areas of myeloid cells and regulatory T cells. In addition, some experiments parallel studies of cancer cell metabolism and provide opportunities to work with other investigators at Amgen.

Specific objectives of the project include:

1) Culture and maintain primary human or mouse lymphocytes in different in vitro culture conditions with /without benchmark compounds that alter lactate transport.
2) Measure changes in metabolism using instruments that measure oxygen consumption and laxctate production (Seahorse Flux Analyzer, Seahorse Bioscience, Inc.)
3) Measure the changes in cell surface protein expression in myeloid and/or lymphoid cell cultured in alternative sugars and fatty acids.
4) Measure the nutrient growth requirements of human or mouse Tregs (iTregs and nTregs)
Collect RNA/DNA and protein from cells obtained in #1-3 (above) for analysis of selected gene/protein expression using PCR and Western blotting techniques (mTOR, AMPK etc.)

Amgen retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.
As an EEO/AA M/F/V/D employer, Amgen values and encourages diversity in the workplace

Basic Qualifications
Must be in the process of obtaining a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences
Amgen requires that all individuals applying for an internship or a co-op assignment at Amgen must meet the following criteria:
• Must be 18 years or older;
• Must be a current full time student
• Must have completed at least one full year of study at the time of application;
• Must have not yet graduated;
• Must be in good academic standing within their majors and overall at their university;
• Must be enrolled in school the fall season following the potential internship or co-op assignment.
• Must not be employed at the time the internship starts

Preferred Qualifications
• Completion of a science laboratory course is required.
• Prior experience working in biology of molecular biology lab preferred