XTech Academy Internship Program for Biologists & Biotechnologists

🎯 Goal of the Internship

This intensive, hands-on internship offers participants the opportunity to design, execute, and analyze a functional genomics mini-project using CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing in human cancer cell lines.

Interns will perform gene knockouts and evaluate the effects on cellular phenotype, gene expression, and protein levels. The program emphasizes experimental independence under expert mentorship and concludes with a final project presentation.

📘 Course Modules

• Module 1: Orientation & Biosafety
• Module 2: Mammalian Cell Culture
• Module 3: CRISPR Design & Transfection
• Module 4: Phenotypic Assays
• Module 5: Gene Expression Analysis
• Module 6: Protein Expression Analysis
• Module 7: Data Interpretation & Bioinformatics
• Module 8: Presentation & Reporting

🔧 Key Tools & Platforms

• CRISPR Design: Benchling, Addgene
• Data Analysis: GraphPad Prism, ImageJ, Excel
• Bioinformatics: NCBI, Ensembl, STRING-db

🎓 Deliverables

• Maintained laboratory notebook (weekly review)
• Final poster or written project report
• Official internship certificate with skills checklist

👩‍🔬 Mentorship & Support

• Daily supervision by postdoctoral or PhD-level mentors
• Weekly career development sessions (e.g., CV writing, interview preparation)
• Access to shared facilities and coworking space at BioLabs Heidelberg

📋 Optional Add-ons

• Combine with selected XTech online modules (e.g., Bioinformatics, AI in Biotech)
• Optional project evaluation rubric for academic credit or university approval