Name and Surname of the Supervisor: Tomas Šinkūnas
Institution (Company), Department: VU LSC, Department of Protein - DNA Interactions
Preliminary Topic: Studying "immunity" of bacteria
Short Description of the Internship Work: The evolutionary battle between bacteria and their viruses (phages) has led to the development of a myriad of antiviral bacterial defence systems. The most common are the restriction-modification (RM) and CRISPR-Cas systems, the study of which research has led to the development of molecular tools that are widely used in bioengineering and genome editing. Recently, more than a hundred new defence systems have been discovered, but their mechanisms of action are not yet known. The internship will investigate one of the new bacterial defence systems using in vivo, biochemical and structural approaches. These studies may help to elucidate the mechanism of action, which could be the basis for the development of a new molecular tool.
Useful links: https://www.gmc.vu.lt/bti/bti-struktura/baltymu-nukleorugsciu-saveikos-tyrimu-skyrius
Qualification Requirements (Degree): BSc, MSc, MSc Completed
Application Deadline: 2026-06-30
Additional Comments: This internship is offered to those planning to pursue a doctoral degree. Internship topic: https://tvs.vu.lt/uploads/Bakteriju_priesvirusiniu_apsaugos_sistemu_funkcine_analize_9d7546a75c.pdf
Also open to students completing their 1st or 2nd year of a bachelor’s program or planning to apply for a master’s program. Interested candidates are asked to send a brief cover letter and their CV, including academic transcripts, to Tomas Šinkūnas ().