Internship at the Membrane Enzymology Laboratory in Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Juthaporn Sangwallek
How many words would be enough to express how much the wholly gratifying experience and unforgettable memories I got?
I am Juthaporn Sangwallek from Thailand, now studying the 1st year PhD of International program of Frontier Biotechnology in Harashima Lab. I gratefully received a great opportunity from Osaka University to spend one-month stay for internship under the supervision of Dr. Toon de Kroon at the Membrane Enzymology Laboratory in Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
During my stay there, I learned several new techniques and practiced my technical expertise in lipid analysis on the constructed yeast strains which I am currently work with in Harashima lab under the close attention and kind suggestion from professionals. I did new method of phospholipid (PL) extraction, quantitative analysis of PL extract by colorimetric assay, PL class separation by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and fatty acid content analysis by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). Therefore, I think now I gained more skills needed to pursue my future work in lipid field. In addition to more new lab techniques, I learned the process thinking that professionals from another side of the world think modify and do. Doing more in this internship, I faced more problems and therefore it was a great chance to learn my own mistake, explore my true potential and improve myself. Thus, I really think this internship is certainly worth an endless learning.
Moreover, it has been an ultimate pleasure to learn differences from ours in working environment (they usually call gFlat Communityh) as well as lifestyle of Westerns. Because of the flat communityfs style, everyone there is accessible and very advantageous to newcomers and especially short stay visitors like me. I loved the time we spent our enjoyable lunch and coffee break together in front of the lab while discussing about our works and daily life. I think that this lets us learn cutting-edge topics of our interest readily and rapidly from each other and makes science and experiment become less serious. Thus, this internship not only enhances my lab skills and experiences but also moves my idea forward, broadens my vision and encourages my learning infinitely.