Intern - Skeletal Diseases, Summer 2020

Known for its scientific and operational excellence, Regeneron is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, invents, develops, manufactures, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. Regeneron commercializes medicines for eye diseases, high LDL-cholesterol, atopic dermatitis and a rare inflammatory condition and has product candidates in development in other areas of high unmet medical need, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, pain, cancer and infectious diseases.

These positions are in Skeletal Diseases within Therapeutic Focus Areas in Tarrytown, New York. There are 5 openings for Summer 2020. Each opening is described below.

Position 1:
This student will investigate whether suppressor mutations in FOP-causing variants of Acvr1.

Position 2:
This student will be responsible for investigating the evolutionary relationship of a ligand:receptor complex.

Position 3:
This student query the mutation landscape in Acvr1 giving rise to Acvtivin A 'neofuction'.

Position 4:
The intern will work on identifying the role of hepatic metal transporters in health and disease.

Position 5:
Role of Fbn2 in Marfanoid-Progeroid-Lipodystrophy

Fibrillin1 (FBN1) and Fibrilin-2 (FBN2) are the major components of connective tissue microfibrils. Mutations in FBN1 gene are responsible for the phenotypical manifestations of a variety of genetic disorders collectively referred as Fibrillinopathies, of which the most common is Marfan Syndrome (MFS). Mutations in FBN2 gene instead, are associated with another genetic disorder, the Congenital Contractual Arachnodactyly (CCA). Recently the ""Marfanoid-Progeroid-Lipodystrophy"" (MPL), has been recognized as novel fibrillinopathy caused by the novo mutations in the 3` end of FBN1 gene, truncating the C-terminus and causing intracellular retention of fibrillin-1. The most striking manifestation in MPL patients is the near complete lack of white adipose tissue not associated with metabolic disorders. We have generated a mouse model of MPL that phenocopy the human condition. Phenotypic analysis of newborn MPL mice has shown that white adipose tissue forms normally but, it stops growing between the first and the second week of life (P6-P14). The defective fat accrual in newborn MPL mice correlates with loss of adipogenic potential of adipose progenitors at P14. However, why retention of mutant fibrillin-1 in P14 cells and not in P6 cells causes loss of adipogenic potential, it is not known. Expression analysis of adipose progenitors have showed that the expression levels of fibrillin-1 do not change during the first weeks of life, whereas fibrillin-2 levels significantly decline between P6 and P14. Based on these results we hypothesize that fibrillin-2-rich and fibrillin-1-rich microfibrils orchestrate the adipogenic program during the first and the second week of life respectively. In MPL, the drop in fibrillin-2 expression during the second week of life can no longer compensate for a mutant fibrillin-1 thus leading to block of adipogenesis. The goal of this internship summer proposal is to test this hypothesis by re-activating the expression of fibrillin-2 in P14 MPL progenitors using CRISPRa. Our expectation is that sustained fibrillin-2-rich microfibrils formation in P14 cells should promote adipogenic differentiation of MPL progenitor cells. The student will be involved in setting up the conditions to CRSIPRa fibrillin-2 in cell cultures. This project fits in our Department's general interest in understanding the biological function of fibrillin microfibrils and TGFb family members in normal and diseases conditions.
Start building your skills at Regeneron.

Position 1:

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor's

• [NEEDS MAJORS]

• [NEEDS TECHNICAL SKILLS]

Position 2:

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor's

• [NEEDS MAJORS]

• [NEEDS TECHNICAL SKILLS]

Position 3:

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor's

• [NEEDS MAJORS]

• [NEEDS TECHNICAL SKILLS]

Position 4:

• Must be a pursuing a Bachelor's

• Must be pursuing a degree in Biology, Bionengineering, or related discipline

• Desired technical skills for this position include, but are not limited to, cell culture experience, rtPCR, handling of animals

Position 5:

• Must be a senior in high school or pursuing a Bachelor's

• [NEEDS MAJORS]

• Desired technical skills for this position include, but are not limited to, cell culture, proteins and RNA isolation

General Intern Program Information:

• Must be enrolled in, or accepted to, an academic program pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, PhD or PharmD

• Summer Program is full-time (~40 hrs/wk) for at least 10 weeks and is paid

• Prefer demonstrated leadership in areas such as campus activities, clubs, sports or the community

• Minimum GPA of 3.0

• You will work with a specific manager on a project(s)

• Enjoy weekly 1 hour Intern Program events: learn about other areas of the company from VPs and other employees, soft skills workshops, networking, volunteering, and more!

• Present to your team on your summer project

Transportation and Housing:

• Housing stipend available for those students who meet mileage requirements

• A free shuttle is offered from the North White Plains or Tarrytown train stations to the Tarrytown, NY or Sleepy Hollow, NY campuses

• Get to know other incoming Interns on our closed LinkedIn page when you accept an offer

This is an opportunity to join our select team that is already leading the way in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech industry. Apply today and learn more about Regeneron's unwavering commitment to combining good science & good business.

To all agencies: Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee of Regeneron about this opening. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee at Regeneron via-email, the internet or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of Regeneron, unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged by Regeneron for this position and a valid agreement with Regeneron is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of the Regeneron agency engagement process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.

Regeneron is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.