Participating Lab: U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID)
USAMRIID is the DoD’s lead laboratory for medical biological defense research. USAMRIID’s mission is to provide leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological agents that threaten both the military and the nation. It is a unique laboratory with the capability of advancing medical countermeasures from discovery through product development, has fielded diagnostic tools and developed multiple vaccine and therapeutic candidates, and responded to crises. USAMRIID’s unique capabilities include BSL-3 and -4 laboratories, world-class expertise in biosafety and biosecurity, test and evaluation of candidate vaccines and therapeutics, and fully accredited animal research facilities to support animal model development. Scientists are internationally renowned experts in genomics, virology, bacteriology, entomology, toxicology, biochemistry, pathology, veterinary medicine, aerobiology, synthetic biology, immunology, and regulatory science.
Lab Address:
Frederick, MD
Lab Website:
https://mrdc.health.mil/index.cfm/program_areas/medical_research_and_development
Relevant Disciplines
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Physiology
- Pre-Med
Research Opportunities Available
Click on a research opportunity to see details.
USAMRIID Opp #1
Systems Biology for infectious diseases
Research Opportunity Location:
Frederick, MD
Research Opportunity Description:
This opportunity will focus on the research to understand host-pathogen interactions. We use systems-based technologies to analyze biological pathways and underlying disease mechanisms to identify, evaluate, and improve medical countermeasures against biological threat agents. We also investigate molecular structures and targets to reveal how pathogens and their virulence factors manipulate host mechanisms and identify viral, bacterial, and toxin components that can serve as targets for drug and immunotherapy development. We conduct comparative genomics at the level of the host and pathogen, gene and protein expression analysis, either in bulk, spatial, or at the single cell level, as well as epigenetic signatures.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Minimal laboratory experience and eager to learn
USAMRIID Opp #2
Ebola Virus Persistence and Disease Recrudescence
Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD
Research Opportunity Description:
Ebola virus (EBOV) can persist in the immune privileged organs, including eyes, brain, and testes, of human and nonhuman primate survivors, but the general or organ-specific molecular mechanism governing EBOV persistence remains elusive. We will use nonhuman primate models, molecular pathology, advanced microscopy imaging, and spatial transcriptomics to study EBOV persistence and subsequent disease recrudescence.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Molecular biology
USAMRIID Opp #3
Bunyavirales pathogenesis and medical countermeasure development
Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD
Research Opportunity Description:
Students will have an opportunity conduct in vitro studies supporting research on important emerging viruses. This work would include running various tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), immunofluorescence assays (IFAs), flow cytometry, luminex assays and cell culture work to understand immune correlates of protection and various other aspects of virus-host interactions. The overall goal of this research will be to develop vaccines, antibody-based therapeutics and drugs that prevent and treat viral diseases.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
ELISA, flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy, cell culture experience and general in vitro lab experience.
USAMRIID Opp #4
Utilizing microphysiological systems to characterize immune responses to vaccines.
Research Opportunity Location:
Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD
Research Opportunity Description:
Students will have an opportunity to conduct in vitro studies supporting research to develop vaccines that prevent viral diseases utilizing microphysiological systems. This work will include running various tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), immunofluorescence assays (IFAs), flow cytometry, luminex assays and cell culture work to understand immune correlates of protection.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Some cell culture experience would be ideal.
USAMRIID Opp #5
Synthetic Biology and Biosurveillance
Research Opportunity Location:
Frederick, MD
Research Opportunity Description:
Students will train and work on projects with synthetic molecular biology components and computational biology components in order to achieve project goals to support Biosurveillance and characterization of emerging pathogens.
Research Opportunity Skill Set:
Laboratory molecular biology and/or computational biology.