WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Group
🧬 Master’s (M.S.) Positions in Protein Folding & Diabetes Research | East Tennessee State University
Institution: East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
Department: Department of Biological Sciences
Laboratory: Arunagiri Lab
Principal Investigator: Dr. Anoop Arunagiri
📍 Location: Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
💼 Position Available: Master’s (M.S.) Research Positions
🔬 Research Areas: Protein Folding | Protein Misfolding | Diabetes Research | Protein Trafficking | Protein Aggregation | Pancreatic β-Cells | ER Stress | Protein Quality Control | Metabolic & Degenerative Diseases
The Department of Biological Sciences at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is seeking motivated Master’s students to join the laboratory of Dr. Anoop Arunagiri.
The Arunagiri Lab investigates how protein folding, misfolding, trafficking, and aggregation contribute to diabetes and related metabolic or degenerative diseases.
Students will have the opportunity to conduct thesis-based research in a collaborative environment while developing laboratory and analytical skills relevant to careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, medicine, or doctoral training.
🔬 Research Background
The Arunagiri Lab focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying protein homeostasis and diabetes-associated disease processes.
Research in the laboratory investigates how abnormalities in protein folding and processing can contribute to cellular dysfunction and disease.
Current research directions include:
- Proinsulin folding and processing in pancreatic β-cells
- Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein quality control
- Cellular stress responses
- Protein misfolding
- Protein trafficking
- Protein aggregation
- Diabetes and metabolic disease
- Degenerative disease mechanisms
- Cellular and molecular biology of protein homeostasis
🧪 Master’s Research Focus
The selected M.S. students will work on thesis-based research projects investigating the molecular mechanisms connecting protein folding and cellular dysfunction with diabetes and related diseases.
Research may involve:
- Studying proinsulin folding and processing in pancreatic β-cells.
- Investigating protein quality-control mechanisms within the endoplasmic reticulum.
- Understanding cellular responses to ER stress.
- Characterizing protein misfolding and aggregation.
- Investigating protein trafficking and cellular localization.
- Studying molecular mechanisms associated with diabetes.
- Exploring connections between protein homeostasis and degenerative diseases.
- Learning and applying laboratory and analytical techniques.
🧬 Current Research Projects
1. Proinsulin Folding & Processing
Investigate how proinsulin folds and is processed within pancreatic β-cells, with the goal of understanding mechanisms that may contribute to diabetes.
2. ER Protein Quality Control & Cellular Stress
Study how cells maintain protein quality control within the endoplasmic reticulum and how disruptions in these systems contribute to cellular stress and disease.
3. Protein Aggregation
Investigate the mechanisms underlying protein aggregation and misfolding, including their potential contribution to metabolic and degenerative diseases.
🔬 Research Approaches
The laboratory provides opportunities to develop experience in:
- Protein folding and misfolding
- Protein trafficking
- Protein aggregation
- Cellular biology
- Molecular biology
- Protein biochemistry
- Pancreatic β-cell biology
- Endoplasmic reticulum biology
- Cellular stress responses
- Protein quality control
- Diabetes-related research
- Disease mechanism investigation
The specific techniques and approaches will depend on the student’s selected thesis research project.
🎯 Ideal Candidates
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following or a related discipline:
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Related biological or life-science disciplines
Candidates should also have:
- A strong interest in protein biology, cell biology, molecular biology, or biophysics.
- Motivation to conduct thesis-based research.
- Interest in learning new laboratory and analytical techniques.
- Strong academic preparation in biological sciences.
- A willingness to work in a collaborative research environment.
Prior research experience is preferred but not required.
💼 Graduate Program & Research Environment
The research opportunity is based at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Students will participate in the M.S. in Biology program, with access to a concentration in Biomedical Sciences.
The program provides an opportunity to conduct research in a collaborative environment and gain experience relevant to careers in:
- Biomedical Research
- Biotechnology
- Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Research
- Biomedical Sciences
- Academic Research
- Doctoral Programs
Funding opportunities may be available through graduate assistantships and research support.
🌟 What You’ll Gain
Successful M.S. students will have the opportunity to:
- Conduct thesis-based biomedical research.
- Develop practical laboratory and analytical skills.
- Study molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes and related diseases.
- Gain experience in protein folding and protein homeostasis research.
- Investigate pancreatic β-cell biology.
- Learn about ER protein quality control and cellular stress.
- Study protein misfolding and aggregation.
- Work closely with a faculty research mentor.
- Develop research skills relevant to biomedical careers.
- Prepare for future PhD, medical, or other doctoral training.
- Contribute to ongoing research in protein biology and diabetes.
📅 Available Start Terms
Students may be considered for the following entry periods:
Spring 2027
Fall 2027
Spring 2028
Applicants should select the appropriate concentration when submitting their graduate application.
📄 How to Apply
Interested students should first contact Dr. Anoop Arunagiri by email before applying.
📩 Initial Email to PI
Email: arunagiri@etsu.edu
Please include:
- CV or Resume
- Unofficial Transcript
- Brief Statement of Research Interests
- Contact Information for 2–3 References
Subject Line:
“Arunagiri Lab M.S. Application – [Last Name]”
After contacting the PI, applicants should submit their formal application through the ETSU Biology M.S. program application portal, selecting the appropriate concentration.
🎓 Program Information
University: East Tennessee State University
Department: Department of Biological Sciences
Program: M.S. in Biology
Concentration: Biomedical Sciences
Laboratory: Arunagiri Lab
Principal Investigator: Dr. Anoop Arunagiri
Position: Master’s (M.S.) Research Student
Location: Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
Research Areas: Protein Folding | Protein Misfolding | Protein Aggregation | Diabetes | Pancreatic β-Cells | ER Stress | Protein Quality Control
Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or related discipline
Research Experience: Preferred but not required
Research Type: Thesis-Based Research
Available Intakes: Spring 2027 | Fall 2027 | Spring 2028
Funding: Graduate assistantships and research support may be available
Application Mode: Graduate Application + Direct Contact with PI
PI Email: arunagiri@etsu.edu
Application Subject: “Arunagiri Lab M.S. Application – [Last Name]”
Program Information: ETSU Department of Biological Sciences
Category
Master’s Position | M.S. Biology | Biomedical Sciences | Protein Folding | Protein Biochemistry | Diabetes Research | Biomedical Research | Graduate Research | East Tennessee State University | USA Graduate Programs
🏷️ Tags
#MastersPosition #MSBiology #EastTennesseeStateUniversity #ETSU #ArunagiriLab #ProteinFolding #ProteinBiochemistry #DiabetesResearch #ProteinMisfolding
Follow Biopractify for more & Join our community : https://chat.whatsapp.com/F38FNCU0nfvFCDf1mYJDbm
About The Author
