Research Intern​

By Christoph Tatgenhorst ‘23​
Institute for Applied Optics and Biophysics (IAOB) at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
Christoph Tatgenhorst ‘23​ research project

I worked within the Institute for Applied Optics and Biophysics (IAOB) at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena as a DAAD RISE research fellow. As an intern, I used advanced microscopy techniques to research protein transport within human cells. 

  • My Project: Peroxisomes are organelles that play an important role in cellular metabolism and detoxification. In my project, I created fluorescent proteins that are transported into the peroxisome. Using high-resolution microscopy methods, I could measure the rate of protein transport into the peroxisome. 
  • My Colleagues: The IAOB is an interdisciplinary group of scientists from all over the world. As a biologist, I found it rewarding to work with physicists to tackle scientific issues. 
  • My internship gave me a better understanding of how academia and industry work together to bring drugs and technologies to the market. 
  • As a German Studies minor, conducting research in Germany was an amazing opportunity to become immersed in the German language and learn about career opportunities in Europe. I was fortunate to have many chances to travel and encounter new languages, cultures, and landscapes. 

Funding provided by the Richard G. D'Auteuil '82 and Kimberly A. Labbe '82 Internship Fund.