Internship: characterization of cooling dynamics in vitrification

This project is all about advancing vitrification techniques to enable faster and more effective freezing of complex biological samples, paving the way for groundbreaking cryo-EM imaging and drug discovery.

Over Demcon

DEMCON is a high-end technology supplier of products and systems, with focus areas high-tech systems, industrial systems, embedded systems, and medical systems. As a system supplier, DEMCON can meet the entire needs of its clients, from proof of principle, prototype, and pre-production to serial production. One of the companies within the Demcon group is Demcon Kryoz. At Demcon Kryoz we work with innovative cooling technology and solutions. We deliver custom and off-the-shelf cooling solutions globally, enabling customers to push boundaries in high-tech industries. Products are related to various areas, including medical and the aerospace.

Jouw opdracht

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a revolutionary imaging technique that allows researchers to visualize biological samples at near-atomic resolution. A critical step in this process is vitrification—rapidly freezing samples to prevent ice crystal formation, which can damage cellular structures. Once vitrified, samples are imaged from multiple angles using an electron microscope, and these 2D projections are computationally reconstructed into a 3D model. This provides invaluable insights into the organization of macromolecular complexes within their natural cellular environment.

Cryo-EM plays a key role in drug discovery, enabling the study of molecular targets in their native context and offering precise insights into drug mechanisms and potential side effects. While conventional vitrification techniques are effective for thin samples, they fall short with thicker and more complex specimens such as mammalian cells and organoids. This project focuses on establishing a proof of principle for the enhancement of vitrification cooling rates.

The Assignment

This internship is part of the initial phase of the project, which consists of three main steps: exploring the fundamental limitations of vitrification, designing a proof-of-principle setup, and validating its performance. The goal of this internship is to gain sufficient fundamental understanding to design a proof of principle setup, by:

• Conducting literature research on vitrification limitations
• Modeling restrictions using tools such as COMSOL or MATLAB Simulink
• Defining requirements for an enhanced vitrification strategy
• Identifying methods to quantify these requirements
• Creating a CAD design of the setup in SolidWorks
• Developing a test plan for the proof-of-principle

This assignment offers a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world problem in a high-tech environment. You will learn about vitrification principles, precision engineering, and the CryoEM workflow, while contributing to a project that pushes the boundaries of scientific instrumentation.

Jouw groei, onze trots!

• A challenging and educational internship in a multidisciplinary team
• Guidance from experienced engineers
• Room for initiative and innovation
• A glimpse behind the scenes of high-tech development at Demcon