University of Bonn

Aptamers are a recently developed tool in biotechnology used to select against target small molecules and proteins. Though the chemical diversity of aptamers is constrained, new methods have been developed to modify and optimize aptamers. I combined “click” reactions with capture and release methods, both pioneered in the Mayer Lab. We hope to be able to modify and purify large quantities of DNA for aptamer libraries.

My supervisor (and the entire lab) seemed very surprised that as a first year undergraduate student, I was capable of running experiments without outside help. As the only intern and youngest person in the lab, at times I felt slightly out of place, but the lab was very welcoming and inclusive at all times.

The work-life balance is definitely very different between the US and Germany. Having interned previously in laboratories, I expected to be working long hours and to be milked for free labor. Rather than running experiments until late in the night, the German work culture includes breaks and an early end time. Furthermore, most people don’t work on weekends, leaving time for relaxation and travel.