Internship in Technical University of Denmark

Karolis Petkevičius

My friendship with Technical University of Denmark started approximately a year ago when I was accepted as exchange student in autumn, 2016. During that time I have met senior researcher Dr. Irina Borodina, who is the leader of Yeast Metabolic Engineering group in The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability. After graduation I asked if I could come as intern for summer and supervisor kindly agreed.

My internship was focused on recombinant membrane protein expression in yeast which further could be used for water purification. During internship I had opportunity to work with advanced molecular biology tools, perform construction of plasmids and by using CRISPR/CAS9 technology perform genome modifications which potentially would be beneficial for protein production. Additionally, procedures such as polymerase chain reaction, DNA electrophoresis or DNA purification was done on daily basis.

Everyday I was surrounded by researchers and PhD students, so if help was needed, every time I got quick and professional guidelines and advices, which provided me deeper understanding and new ideas regarding my project.

Summing up, I want to relate my future work and career with biotechnology , so experience in DTU, in top-class Yeast Metabolic Engineering laboratory was something that I will never forget and I strongly believe that knowledge and network which I obtained will accompany me whole my life.