Internship Opportunity – Development and Characterization of Optimized Probiotics

Internship Opportunity – Development and Characterization of Optimized Probiotics

Are you looking for an internship for the 2025 or 2026 academic year? Great news! Our Immunobiology Laboratory in Aye is looking for its next generation of interns.

We are offering the following internship topic : “Development and Characterization of Optimized Probiotics: Improving Intestinal Adhesion, Gastrointestinal Resistance, and Exploring Their Potential as Vaccine Delivery Platforms”

Background

Probiotics are living microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host, notably through their interactions with the gut microbiota and the immune system.

Enhancing key probiotic properties, such as adhesion to the intestinal epithelium and resistance to gastrointestinal tract conditions, is a major challenge in the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic approaches.

In this context, our team is conducting research aimed at optimizing probiotic strains through molecular biology, microbiology, and biotechnology approaches.

Internship Objectives

Characterize the probiotic properties of selected strains, including intestinal adhesion, acid resistance, bile salt tolerance, and antimicrobial activity.
Improve strain performance through targeted strategies such as adaptive selection, cell surface modifications, and genetic engineering approaches (non-GMO or GMO, depending on the regulatory framework).
Evaluate adhesion to intestinal cells in vitro using Caco-2 and HT-29 cell lines.
Assess resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, including acidic pH, digestive enzymes, and bile exposure.
Explore the potential of probiotic strains as vaccine delivery platforms through the expression or surface presentation of antigens of interest.

Methodology

Bacterial culture and exposure to stress conditions simulating the digestive tract.
In vitro adhesion and cell-based assays.
Microscopic and biochemical analyses (fluorescence microscopy, ELISA).
Mutagenesis techniques.
Functional analyses and interpretation of results.

Candidate Profile

Education

MSc Year 1 or 2, engineering school, or equivalent degree in:

Microbiology
Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Bioengineering

Skills

Microbiology
Cell culture techniques
Basic knowledge of molecular biology

Personal Qualities

Strong interest in experimental research
Scientific rigor and attention to detail
Ability to work independently
Team-oriented mindset

Duration and Location

Duration: 4 to 6 months

Location: CER Groupe Rue de la Science 8 6900 AYE (Marche-en-Famenne), Belgium

⚠️ Please note: the site is not easily accessible by public transportation.

Application

Interested in this internship opportunity?

Please send your CV and cover letter to : Héloïse WILMET, HR Business Partner

📧 Email: recrutement@cergroupe.be