Research Assistant: Engineering Antibody Drug Conjugates for Cancer Therapy

Term: Semester
Type: Research
Major discipline: Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Chemistry / Biochemistry, Entrepreneurship
Related discipline: Global Health, Biology
Available: Fall, Spring
Location: Copenhagen
Credits: 6

Introduction to the topic:

This research project, conducted at Immunordic, a biotech company located near DIS, focuses on developing a therapeutic approach to accelerate drug discovery and cancer immunotherapy.

The main goal is to engineer and validate novel VHH-based antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). ADCs are antibodies linked to cytotoxic drugs. They are designed to selectively target and kill cancer cells in solid tumors. The project aims to generate highly selective therapeutic lead candidates with commercialization potential as a service model for biotech and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Project details:

The first phase of the project involves designing modular, peptide-based cytotoxic payloads and antibody linkers, which will be computationally evaluated for potency, stability, and selectivity.

Next, genetic constructs encoding the most promising ADCs will be designed and cloned into bacterial expression systems. These constructs will then be introduced into a high-efficiency bacterial production strain, and proper assembly will be verified through Sanger sequencing.

In the third phase, the focus shifts to upscaling ADC production. Optimized conditions will be established for large-scale (0.5L) bacterial synthesis, followed by purification and quality control. Finally, the toxic effect of the ADCs will be tested using in vitro cancer cell assays.

The project will run across multiple semesters, with each term focused on specific research goals. As a Research Assistant, you will contribute to a particular phase of the project depending on when you join. Activities will include both literature studies and hands-on lab work, such as bacterial cloning, protein purification, cancer cell culture, or assay development.

This structure ensures that you gain in-depth knowledge of the subject matter and build practical lab skills tailored to that semester’s objectives. It’s a unique opportunity to be part of cutting-edge cancer therapeutic development while gaining experience in a multidisciplinary biotech setting.

Selected relevant publications:

Fu Z, Li S, Han S, et al (2022). Antibody drug conjugate: the “biological missile” for targeted cancer therapy. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 7(93). doi: 10.1038/s41392-022-00947-7

Recommended experience

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Faculty

Coming Soon

Faculty

The faculty teaching this course will be listed here soon.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Recommended experience

Additional application required

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Faculty

Coming Soon

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?