From DNA to Novel Molecules: Protein Engineering Summer Schools at CIB TIP UPJŠ
How do we get from DNA to a functional protein, and how can protein properties be deliberately modified or entirely new molecules designed? Students explored these questions during two Protein Engineering Summer Schools organised as part of the APBC programme at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, TIP UPJŠ, in Košice.
While undergraduate students attending the second edition of the From DNA to Protein Summer School were introduced to fundamental methods in molecular biology and protein engineering, a follow-up summer school entitled Development and Design of Novel Molecules was offered to Master’s students for the first time this year. The programme enabled them to explore more advanced methods and gain hands-on experience with techniques used in protein development and optimisation.
From DNA to Protein: First Steps in Protein Engineering
Ten undergraduate students participated in the second edition of the Protein Engineering Summer School - From DNA to Protein. Over the course of one week, they experienced day-to-day work in a protein engineering laboratory and applied knowledge acquired during their studies to their own experimental work.
The academic programme and practical sessions were led by Mgr. Ľuboš Ambro, PhD., and RNDr. Michal Nemergut, PhD., with laboratory support from RNDr. Alexandra Poliakova and RNDr. Ivana Timková, PhD.
Students worked through fundamental molecular biology techniques, ranging from PCR setup and sample loading and analysis using agarose gel electrophoresis to cloning. The programme also included the purification of fluorescent proteins - the green fluorescent protein GFP and the red fluorescent protein RubyRed. Through these experiments, students were able to follow the entire process from working with DNA to obtaining the final protein product.
Development and Design of Novel Molecules: From Fundamentals to Directed Evolution
A new addition this year was the follow-up Protein Engineering Summer School - Development and Design of Novel Molecules, intended for Master’s students. Its aim was to broaden their knowledge and introduce them to advanced approaches used in modern protein engineering.
The main topics were directed evolution and yeast display. During the theoretical sessions, Mgr. Mária Tomková, PhD., introduced the principles of directed evolution; RNDr. Mária Repovská, PhD., explained the technical aspects of yeast display; and RNDr. Martin Menkyna discussed the principles of rational protein design.
The theoretical sessions were followed by hands-on laboratory work. Under the guidance of Mária Tomková and Mária Repovská, with assistance from doctoral researcher RNDr. Kristína Felčíková, students prepared culture media and established and subcultured yeast cultures. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), they then selected yeast cells displaying the target proteins on their surfaces. Through their own experiments, the students were able to apply and verify the principles introduced during the theoretical part of the programme.
Lectures, Experiments and Presentation of Results
The first two days of both summer schools included a joint expert workshop. Students attended lectures delivered by specialists in the field and gained a broader perspective on the practical application of knowledge from biomedicine and proteomics.
The intensive week concluded on Friday with final presentations. Working in groups, students participating in the Development and Design of Novel Molecules programme presented the progress of their work, the experimental procedures they had used and the results they had achieved during the summer school.
Both summer schools were united by a common objective: to give students an opportunity to go beyond theoretical study and experience scientific work directly in the laboratory. From fundamental DNA techniques and protein purification to directed evolution and FACS-based cell selection, participants gained hands-on experience with methods that form an integral part of modern protein engineering.
At the end of the programme, all participants received certificates of completion. More importantly, however, they left with new knowledge, practical laboratory experience and a clearer understanding of what scientific research and the development of novel molecules look like in practice.
