Do you feel that your course is too theoretical? Are you curious about the Bioengineering field? Want to get to work? Then, don’t wait any longer and apply to the new CoLab Sessions edition.
The CoLab Sessions are collaborations that take place in multiple investigation laboratories during a semester, so that students get in touch with scientific research being developed in the bioengineering field.
The CoLabs begin with a visit to the laboratory. Such visits provide insight to the students regarding the multiple projects that they may accompany and work in.
Are you worried about the time commitment that starting a project might have? There is no reason to, as these projects have flexible schedules and deadlines and they aren’t very time consuming. In fact, most of our students say they worked on it 3 to 5 hours per week. Only students who really want to make a bigger commitment do so (like 2 mornings/ afternoons per week).
Details for the March 2018 edition:
- After receiving the feedback from previous sessions this semester we will reward the most motivated students by providing certificates and recommendations.
- If you have any further questions check FAQ. In case your questions are not answered contact us via email through embs.colab@ieee-ist.org.
- Apply here:

Robotics and Systems Institute
ISR-Lisboa is a RD&I institution that was founded in 1992 and is affiliated to the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) of the University of Lisbon, ranked amongst the top schools of engineering in Europe. The research groups focus the fields of robotics and information processing. With a multicultural environment, the 100 investigators develop cutting-edge research in association with other institutes.

Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering
The Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB) is a new research unit created in 2013 at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), that aims to excel in research and advanced education in biotechnology, to respond to the challenges of exploring innovative approaches in biosciences and bioengineering and to translate scientific knowledge into tangible and impactful innovation.

INESC – MICROSYSTEMS AND NANOTECHNOLOGIES
INESC Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias is a private, non-profit Research and Development Institute created in January, 2002. Its main focus is on the emerging research fields of Nanotechnology, Bionanotechnology and Nanosciences and the application of these technologies to electronic, biological and biomedical devices.
The group’s mission is to provide advanced training to undergraduate and graduate students alike at Master, PhD and post-doctoral levels while acting as a bridge between the Technical Engineering School (IST, Lisbon) and industrial partners worldwide.

molecular medicine institute
The iMM – Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes is a leading Portuguese private non-profit research institute that offers a vibrant scientific environment, aiming to nurture innovative ideas in basic, clinical and translational biomedical research.
Current Projects
Object 3D pose estimation
Automatic Analysis of Dermoscopy Images for Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Action-conditioned video prediction from robotic data
Learning to search for objects in foveal images
Tactile sensing for exploratory grasping actions of Vizzy, a humanoid robot
Testemonials
“The theme of the internship was very interesting, and it was a great opportunity to acquire new knowledge, especially in such a relevant area today. This was undoubtedly a great investment for me and my academic life.”
“It took about 2 to 3 hours in person and I would say about 1 to 2 of working at home per week. The schedules were always very flexible and took into account our availability and workload regarding classes.””
Carolina Barata, 4th year of Biomedical Eng.
Participant in the project “Learning to detect basic 3D shapes from images”
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Current Projects
Bioengineering Strategies for Pluripotent Stem Cell Expansion and Differentiation
Cloning and production of resolvase in E. coli
Testemonials
“The relationship between me and the person responsible for the project was excellent! Everyone was very accessible. They were always ready to support me and made me feel welcomed. The enthusiasm for what they do is palpable and the atmosphere within the group is amazing.”
“The schedules met my expectations. In terms of face-to-face work (in the laboratory) it was essentially two mornings of about 3 hours each. The work outside the laboratory was never demanding and they always allowed me to work at my own pace.”
Carlos Clara, 3rd year of Biological Eng.
Participant in the project “Assessing the in-vitro motility of bacterial symbionts from gorgonian corals”
Testemunho
“Through this project I realized that this is really an area that I like and want to invest in the future (as, for example, in the Master’s thesis)”
Isabel Doutor, 4th year of Biological Eng.
Participant in the project “Bioengineering Strategies for Pluripotent Stem Cell Expansion and Differentiation”
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Current Projects
Implement a new magnetic measurement system
Microfabrication technologies
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Current Projects
High resolution 3D modelling and characterization of cells
Testemonials
“It all went according to plan, two sessions of 4 hours per week. We managed to arrange dates to fulfil the plan.”
Rafael Alves, 3rd year of Biological Eng.
Participant in the project “Usage of bioinformatic tools to understand the biology of infectious agents”
“I was able to explore a theme that had long fascinated me. I learned different laboratory methods that I believe may
be useful to me.”
Ana Sofia Amorim, 3rd year of Biological Eng.
Participant in the project “Behaviour, Neuroscience, Regeneration”
Testemunho
“I enjoyed ait lot because it enabled me to get in touch with a research environment for the first time, which might help me decide the future of my career.”
Margarida Uva, 3rd year of Biological Eng.
Participant in the project “Neuronal Communication & Synaptopathies”
Testemunho
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Joana Monteiro, 2nd year of Biomedical Eng.
Participant in the project “IMM – High resolution 3D modeling of cells (using software for image analysis)”
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CoLabs FAQ’s
You will find answers to frequently asked questions here. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us through embs.colab@ieee-it.org.
I’m not part of a Biological or Biomedical Engineering course. Can I still apply to the CoLabs?
Of course, you can apply. Any person with interest in the Bioengineering field can enroll in the CoLabs.
I have exams or tests in the same day I have to work at the laboratory. How do I cope with both things?
The duration of the internship and the recommended schedules are only recommendations/guidelines which are supposed to be flexible. When you are selected by an investigator there will be negotiations regarding those aspects. Don’t worry, the investigators know that you are students who need time to study and get good results.
I have never done anything like this before and I’m not super skilled. Can I still apply?
Sure you can! The CoLabs were developed so that people who want to learn new things have an opportunity to do so. If you are not very experienced this is the perfect way to start and you will be always accompanied by the organization and the laboratory. So, what are you waiting for?
Do I have to attend the session at the lab?
Yes. The sessions are organized in order to minimize interruptions in the laboratories that receive you. Therefore, it is extremely important to be there on time.
These sessions are organized so that you get to know the project and the people you will be working with so it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for you to apply to stay in that lab without actually getting to know it first.
Participant in the project “IMM – High resolution 3D modeling of cells (using software for image analysis)”
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