This two-week course is designed to expose students to the RPI undergraduate Chemistry and Chemical Biology program. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to teams who have developed AI methods for protein structure modeling and design. These methods provide the basis for a wide range of applications in biochemistry, material science, and medicine. They are now sufficiently well developed to provide the basis for a high school summer program. The program is divided into two halves: a survey lecture series in protein chemistry and engineering and a hands-on lab experience centered around designing and producing engineered proteins. In the morning lecture series, students will learn about what proteins are, how they are used in medicine and biotechnology, and how modern machine-learning techniques enable modern protein engineering. In the afternoon lab portion of the course, students will design proteins with the aid of machine learning techniques, and express, purify, and characterize proteins in the laboratory. Students will gain experience with modern molecular graphics software, 3D print a model of their engineered protein, and learn about recombinant protein production and structural biology, including protein crystallization and X-ray diffraction, MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry, biolayer interferometry, and machine-learning and bioinformatics techniques. High school students entering 11th, and 12th grade in the fall, interested in future careers in chemistry, biology, medicine, or engineering-related fields are encouraged to apply! This immersive workshop will open your eyes to biotechnology as a future career.
In-person session: July 13 - 24, 2026 (M-F 9 am - 4 pm EDT). The program is limited to 12 students.
Program cost: $1850. Students accepted to the program will be notified by April 15.
Pre-requisites: High school level Biology and Chemistry.
LETTER OF INTEREST AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Application requires a Letter of Interest that include: student name, address, email address, planned high school graduation date, a 1 paragraph description of the prospective student's background and interests, along with an unofficial transcript showing classes taken and grades earned. Applications are due Monday April 13. If accepted, students will provide a non-refundable deposit of $200. Complete program cost must be paid prior to the first day of the program.
Letters of Interest can be emailed to montelionelab@rpi.edu.
CONTACT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
Gaetano Montelione
Professor and Constellation Chair
monteg3@rpi.edu
Ben Shurina
Research Scientist
shurib2@rpi.edu