Internship stint abroad
WONG Zheng Feng from the International Medical University’s (IMU) Biomedical Science cohort of BM 1/15 completed his nineweek Phase I internship at Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
HMRI is a research institute that has a partnership with the University of Newcastle (UoN) and Hunter New England Local Health District, which is collaborating with other leading institutes and industries to help fasttrack the provision of new and better health solutions.
Wong decided to do his internship at HMRI because of his interest in cancer tumour suppressor protein p53, which is the research major of his supervisor, Dr KellyAvery Kiejda.
Wong relates his experience: “I did my nineweek placement in the Medical Genetics Depart ment under the supervision of Dr Kiejda and Dr Brianna Morten.
“Dr Kiejda has been working on this tumour suppression protein p53 for the past seven years in the hopes of improving diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer sufferers by identifying new biomarkers for the disease.
“My main role is to examine the expression and localisation of Δ40p53 in breast cancer cells using immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods, examine the expression and localisation markers and correlate this with Δ40p53 and validate the IHC results using western blotting.
“Everyday, I maintain and monitor the two cell lines I sub cultured (MCF7 cells and ZR75 cells), including passaging and changing of the growth medium. Furthermore, I have the chance to tag along with or assist other researchers, post doctorates or PhD students on a variety of various research process.
“Throughout the process, I am able to improve my practical skills, especially general laboratory technique, including cell culture, microscopy and micropipetting.
“Dr Kiejda and Dr Morten have been guiding me through the experiments, ensuring that I understand every step I take and patiently answering all my doubts regarding the research project during the weekly lab meetings and monthly department meetings.
“They also provide me with constructive comments and suggestions for my future career path.
“I also had the opportunity to attend a twoday medical research symposium – the third Breast and Prostate Cancer Symposium in Garvan Medical Research Institute in Sydney, where I gained more insight into the cancer research field.
“I also learnt the importance of and inculcatedan appreciation for evidencebased research.”
At IMU, the curriculum of the biomedical science programme is developed to meet international standards and is accepted by international partner universities (UoN, Australia, University of Otago, New Zealand, and University of Strathclyde, Scotland) for credit transfer into relevant programmes.
Graduates of these degrees can undertake postgraduate degrees in any related disciplines.
The next commencement dates for this programme are in September. For those with preuniversity qualifications and an interest in biomedical science, apply online now.
For those who have just completed their SPM and do not have preuniversity qualification, consider enrolling in the oneyear IMU Foundation in Science, the direct route for entry into any of the university’s local degree programmes.
■ For details, visit www.imu.edu.my or email start@imu.edu.my or call IMU at 03–2731 7272.