Research constitutes a consistent area of engagement for most health professionals; however, preliminary training at the level of medical schools is not provided to students. In the majority of medical schools in Greece, practical involvement of students in research projects is neither accessible nor a required part of the curriculum. Students can only informally seek voluntary participation in a research project by contacting professors directly. As a result, medical students lack basic research skills, and research is not adequately promoted as a potential career path within the medical profession.

HelMSIC – Hellenic Medical Students’ International Committee, in the context of promoting Research for medical students, aims to create a network of opportunities for the voluntary participation of medical students in research projects.

The goal is to offer students the opportunity for hands-on involvement in research programs across the country.

For the academic year 2025/26, 2 medical students will have the opportunity to participate in the laboratory of the Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”!

More specifically…

The Institute was founded in 1965, inspired by Amalia Fleming’s vision to establish a Greek center of scientific and technological excellence that would attract Greek researchers and be based on meritocracy, distinction, and innovation. Its main purpose is to promote advanced research in order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying complex biological processes in health and disease. At the same time, it contributes significantly to medical innovation through the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic methods, focusing on immunity, inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. More information about the Institute’s operations and research activities can be found on its official website: https://www.fleming.gr/

The specific laboratory studies the phenomenon of cell competition and the role of ribosomal proteins in it, using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Cell competition was discovered in Drosophila in 1975 and is now known to also occur in humans, playing a crucial role in various aspects of life (e.g., development, cancer formation, etc.). The lab uses Drosophila genetic tools to create epithelial tissues containing two or more cell populations and studies how these populations compete during development. Techniques used include immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and molecular biology methods, among others: https://www.fleming.gr/research/ifbr/junior-researchers/kiparaki-lab

The student will first become familiar with Drosophila and learn to isolate epithelial tissues from Drosophila larvae, in which the phenomenon of cell competition will be studied. They will perform immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy techniques. At a later stage, the student will engage in molecular biology and biochemistry experiments.

Participation Information:

• Type of Research: Basic Research
• Required Skills: Basic knowledge of Cell and Molecular Biology, Research motivation, and Consistency
• Year of Study: Pre-clinical Students
• Duration: 6 months (01/12/25 – 30/06/26)
• Schedule: At least 3 days per week (minimum 4 hours per day)

The final duration and specific schedule of the student’s participation in the research project will be determined in agreement with the supervising researcher after selection.

I’m interested! How can I apply?

To apply, simply fill out the form below by 24/11:

https://forms.gle/bhSChvihn65hvun26

You will be asked to provide:

• Personal Information
• Motivation for Participation
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Detailed Transcript of Records

Remarks:

After your selection for the research program, additional documents may be requested by the supervising researchers.

If you reside in a different city than where the program takes place, accommodation and transportation expenses are not covered by HelMSIC.

The application form will remain open until 24/11!