【長期研修：2024.5.13-2024.11.26】ｱﾒﾘｶ，ﾋﾞﾝｶﾞﾑﾄﾝ大学：韓天雪さん
From May 26, 2024, to November 25, 2024, I worked under the guidance of Professor Eriks Rozners at Binghamton University. Binghamton is a small city in New York State, known for its lush greenery and proximity to nature reserves (Fig. 1). It was a great honor to join the Rozners Lab, as Professor Rozners is a leading expert in the design and synthesis of modified nucleic acid bases.
Fig. 1 The environment of Binghamton university
During my time there, I gained extensive knowledge in organic synthesis and broadened my perspective on peptide nucleic acids. My research focused on developing fluorescent peptide nucleic acid probes by incorporating an important modified nucleic base, “M” into the fluorescent probe’s application at neutral pH.
The Rozners Lab is equipped with advanced analytical instruments (Fig. 2), allowing me to gain significant, hands-on experience in RNA analysis. I am especially grateful for Professor Rozners’ invaluable research guidance and for the kindness of the lab members, who supported me both in my experiments and daily life. Ilze, Brandon, and Sara were instrumental in helping me synthesize the “M” probe and master various instruments. Postdocs Jayamini and Motiar also provided tremendous support, and Motiar generously hosted a delicious homemade Bangladeshi dinner—an unforgettable cultural experience that brought us all closer together.
Fig. 2. The Rozners Lab environment and modified nucleic base synthesis in progress.
One of the most memorable experiences during these six months was going on a group hike with my lab members, a surprisingly popular pastime at this university (Fig. 3). We set off at 6:00 AM, drove for two hours, and then began my very first hike. It was exciting to explore the scenic trails and enjoy the fresh air while bonding with colleagues in a relaxed setting. Postdocs Jayamini and Motiar brought their families along, which gave me deeper insight into American culture and family life and helped us forge even closer relationships.
Fig. 3. Hiking with the Rozners group and attending a farewell party
Thanks to this opportunity, I traveled to various places, including New York City—a vibrant, modern city in the United States. Watching a Broadway show there was truly impressive and left a lasting memory. I also went to Orlando, Florida, where I had the remarkable chance to witness a rocket launch at the Kennedy Space Center (Fig. 4). In addition, I enjoyed a lot of international cuisines, such as African, Greek, and French dishes. These journeys opened my eyes to diverse communities and cultures in a way that continues to shape my worldview.
Fig. 4 Traveling in the United States
My six months in the United States passed quickly. The biggest difference I noticed compared to Japan is the remarkable diversity—people come from all over the world. Meeting individuals from so many different cultural backgrounds broadened my perspectives, not only in research but also in understanding and appreciating the lives and kindness of others. This unforgettable experience made me more open-minded and empathetic, both professionally and personally.