This year marked an exciting milestone for the Summer Elective Training Program at TRIPM. Traditionally offered as a one-week intensive, the program has now been expanded into a comprehensive one-month journey, providing students with a richer and more immersive learning experience. A total of 13 students were trained under the guidance of 5 professors. The extended format not only allowed participants to develop deeper insights into research but also created greater opportunities for hands-on training. Students were divided into groups, with each professor guiding them through specific projects.
Students were introduced to experimental models and molecular workflows, providing hands-on experience that bridged theoretical knowledge with practical applications. They learned zebrafish xenografting, including cell preparation, labeling, and injection, and gained proficiency in immunofluorescence techniques such as fixation, permeabilization, antibody staining, and confocal imaging. Core molecular techniques, including RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and gene expression analysis via qPCR and RT-PCR, were also taught. Students were also involved in ITPP-related experiments, which offered insights into hypoxia modulation and its therapeutic relevance.
“……This immersive training gave me a deeper understanding of in vivo cancer models, translational research, and molecular diagnostics, making it a highly educational and memorable experience.” – Isha Iftikhar, Final Year BBMS student.
The program also highlighted experimental design and critical thinking in cancer biology. Students performed western blotting and cell culture while observing cell treatment experiments involving statins and nutrient deprivation, illustrating how carefully planned studies can unravel complex biological processes along with weekly literature discussions that reinforced analytical thinking and the ability to frame meaningful research questions.
As Sana Albaghdadi, a 3rd Year BBMS student, reflected: “My internship at TRIPM was nothing short of transformative. I gained practical laboratory skills, and most importantly, a renewed passion for research.”
In addition, students learnt how to use functional assay kits to measure ATP generation and glucose uptake. They practiced sample preparation, assay execution with the microplate reader, and data analysis through standard curve interpretation, which emphasized the importance of precision, accuracy, and reproducibility in laboratory workflows.
“My internship at TRIPM was an enriching experience that greatly enhanced my technical and analytical skills in cancer research. I am grateful for the guidance of my supervisor and the supportive research environment, which has motivated me to further pursue molecular biology and oncology research.” – Prasanna Appiya Premvignesh, Final Year BBMS student.
A group of students worked on experiments related to cisplatin-induced senescence in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. Students studied the proliferation capacity of senescent cells after cisplatin treatment and assessed their colony-forming potential, with data analysis performed using ImageJ software. They further explored immunofluorescence staining for senescence markers such as p16, linking molecular markers to functional outcomes. Beyond wet-lab experiments, the students were also introduced to R programming and coding, broadening their exposure to computational tools and applied biomedical data analysis.
“Overall, my internship at TRIPM was both challenging and rewarding. It strengthened my laboratory techniques, enhanced my data analysis skills, and gave me a clearer perspective on how translational research connects laboratory experiments with clinical applications.” – Lovina Ruth Mathew, BBMS, class of 2025
Overall, The TRIPM Summer Elective Training Program offered students an immersive research experience, combining hands-on laboratory skills with critical thinking and data analysis. By working on advanced experimental models, molecular techniques, and functional assays, participants gained a clear understanding of how biomedical research is planned and executed. The program not only strengthened their technical expertise but also inspired a deeper passion for scientific research.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9: (Industry & Innovation)
