Research Internship Experience in Germany, Manchalu Srinivas VII Sem

"It takes a lot of imagination to be realistic, because reality is so much more than we imagine."
Research has always been an interest in the back of my head. As I started applying to research institutes all over the world, I was faced with many rejections. Keeping my spirtis up, I continued to apply and my efforts finally paid off when I got an offer from Dr. Lorenz Adrian, Dept of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany in my Sixth semester.
My Research Block
Landing in Germany on a cold Saturday morning, I was awestruck with the beauty of Leipzig and the institute where I was going to be working for the next six weeks. The institute, the people and the infrastructure were really amazing. I received a warm welcome from the department. The friendly behaviour, co operation and encouragement from my supervisor helped me adjust to the new surroundings easily.
With my Technical Assistant

Ananerobic Chamber, My work place
The first day was informative as I understood the research projects the scientists were working on at the institute. The primary area of research at the institute is on "anaerobic bacteria which is capable of dehaloginating toxic compounds which are accumulating in the environment".


I was working with Myriel Cooper, a PhD student on “Substrate range studies of Dehallococcoides sp. CBDB1” an anaerobic bacterium by photometric, chromatographic and molecular biological assays by using Sprectophotometer, Flourosence microscope, Gas chromatography and PCR

 I have been invited to do my final year project at “Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmocology(FMP), Berlin, Germany for six months from December 2011 to June 2012 with a monthly stipend of 200 Euro. I will be working on “Transient modulation of tight junction (TJ) proteins by peptides to enhance the paracellular drug delivery”.

Germany is a beautiful place with a diverse culture. It is a melting pot of cultures from around the world. Case in point, I had roommates from 12 different countries in the world and thousands of memories that I carried with me back home. It is indeed the best platform to understand people from around the world. The people of Germany look to interact with others and not only teach you but also learn from you. It is a place where you can not only enjoy your life but also learn something in the process.

Along with the wonderful nation of Germany, I had the opportunity to visit the neighbouring Schengen countries of Poland,France and Sweden as well. Each of the countries had something different to offer and was a pleasure to visit.



Firstly I would like to thank my guides at Helmholtz, Dr. Lorenz Adrian & Myriel Cooper for giving me this exciting opportunity. I am thankful to my parents who have stood by me through all my endeavours. I thank Dr. Parani, HOD, Department of Genetic Engineering SRM University who supported and encouraged me throughout the application process. My thanks are indeed due to the management of SRM University in helping me in the documenatation process. Last but definitely not the least, my wonderful friends who not only believed in me but kept me going to complete my project successfully.

  Seventh Semester, B.Tech Genetic Engineering,
  SRM University