Conducting In-person Research at CCIR Lab at MIT
Now Open for all CCIR student researchers
The Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR) is proud to announce the opening of the CCIR Lab at MIT.
Starting in Spring 2025, current and future CCIR student researchers from both the Future Scholar Programme and the 1-on-1 Research Mentorship Programme will be able to conduct their own research and experiments, taking advantage of the lab’s state-of-the-art facilities on the campus of MIT.
Location: At the Heart of MIT Campus
Located in the heart of the MIT campus, the CCIR Lab at MIT is situated next to the iconic MIT Great Dome on the busy Main Street in Cambridge, MA.
History: Following the Steps of the Giants
Founded in 1832, the building has become home to technological and scientific advancement. Here is the original birthplace of Polaroid and the world’s first long distance phone call between Thomas Watson and Alexander Graham Bell.
With millions in new funding from leading life sciences corporate sponsors (including Johnson & Johnson, Biogen, Pfizer, and Bayer), the lab has become a hub of innovation for mostly Harvard and MIT affiliated startups. Recent ventures at the lab included Affinivax, later acquired by GSK for $3.3 billion for its groundbreaking vaccine design.
For nearly 200 years, this facility has been at the forefront of driving revolutionary advancements in life sciences.
Open to All CCIR Students, from STEM to Humanities
Students interested in exploring STEM concepts without the need for a lab environment are encouraged to select from a list of pre-approved experiments in the lab. These experiments provide an opportunity to delve deeper into STEM subjects and maybe spark new research passions.
Expert Guidance
Students are welcomed to work on pre-approved projects, but if they wish to pursue their own projects, the academic team will collaborate with them to obtain approval from the Boston regulatory authorities and procure the necessary materials.
CCIR’s PhD level lab managers will also be on site to supervise each student researcher’s project.
Real-World Problems, Real-World Experiences
Far surpassing the typical school-level lab, the CCIR Lab at MIT is a professional Biosafety Level 2 facility, where student researchers can carry out advanced experimental projects. Student researchers will gain firsthand experience of how a lab operates in a real-world setting and have the opportunity to investigate real-world problems.
Accessing the Lab
CCIR student researchers enrolled after January 15, 2025 could reserve the CCIR Lab at MIT for the following dates for 2025:
- April 13 to 18
- June 15 to 24, and 27
- August 13 to 22
- More dates will be announced.
After enrollment, CCIR student researchers can reserve the CCIR Lab at MIT by submitting the Lab Access and Experiment Approval Form.
The lab access comes at no additional fees for CCIR student researchers as part of the programmes. Depending on the research, certain additional material costs incurred may need to be covered by the CCIR student researchers.
The lab is classified as a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory. It upholds rigorous safety standards to provide a secure and professional environment for researchers.
Students may work on pre-approved projects; however, if they wish to conduct independent experiments, they must submit a separate application during the programme. This application requires approval from the LabCentral committee. For specific types of experiments, such as those involving recombinant DNA (rDNA), the proposal must also be approved by Boston city authorities and other relevant regulatory institutions. Upon approval, students must complete mandatory safety training. On the day of their on-site activities, a trained biologist will be present to oversee and supervise the work.
- Undercounter Freezer, -20°C
- Undercounter Refrigerator, 2-8°C
- Centrifuge 5810R (2 units)
- mySPIN 6 Microcentrifuge (5 units)
- MiniSpin Plus
- INTEGRA PIPETBOY 2 (2 units)
- Micropipettor sets (2-20µL, 20-200µL, 100-1000µL)
- Standard Dry Block Heaters
- Thermomixer C
- Tube Revolver
- SmartBlock (24 x 1.5mL tubes)
- GALAXY CO-170R with High Temp Disinfection
- Excella E24 Incubator Shake
- E-Gel Power Snap Electrophoresis (2 units)
- E-Gel Power Snap Camera
- UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
- 1300 Series A2 (Class II Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet)
- SafeAire Laboratory Fume Hood
- Thermal Cycler PCR System
Frequently Asked Questions
All CCIR student researchers enrolled after January 15, 2025 can reserve the CCIR Lab.
To access the lab, you must complete and submit the Lab Access and Experiment Approval Form, and receive approval from the lab committee.
Additionally, you must attend an online safety training session before being granted access. This process ensures there are no biological risks and prioritises your safety.
In addition, on the date you visit the lab, if you are underage, your guardian must accompany you to the facility and remain there for the duration of your time in the lab. Although guardians are not permitted to enter the lab, they may stay in the designated conference room or visitor areas.
In general, we recommend completing your experiment in a single day. All experiments must be approved by the facility committees and evaluated for potential biological risks to ensure safety. For certain experiments, the details will be reviewed not only by the facility but also by the relevant governmental authorities.
However, if you require multiple days to complete your experiment, you could also indicate this in the Lab Access and Experiment Approval Form.
The CCIR Lab comprises 1,270 square feet of state of the art laboratory space and an adjoining conference room. The space is exclusively reserved for CCIR student researchers at the designated dates. CCIR student researchers are expected to share the lab space with other student researchers if multiple people reserved for the same day.
Yes, whenever a CCIR student researcher reserve the lab for use, we will make sure that there will be a professionally trained biologists or a PhD scientist who can supervise the students’ usage of the lab.
You cannot walk into the lab without prior arrangements on lab days. All students must reserve lab space in advance and complete the required safety ratification process and training.
Student researchers could use the lab independently, but researcher under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The guardian must stay nearby for the entire lab visit, but cannot enter the lab due to biosafety reasons. They may observe from behind the glass outside the lab in the adjacent conference room.
Yes, you may invite your CCIR professor or mentor from MIT/Harvard to supervise you in the lab. However, the professor is not obligated to do so, especially if their schedule does not permit it. This will entirely depend on the professor’s availability.
Yes, you can still reserve for the lab, but you will need to have a sufficient outline of your project in place to complete the application process.
Lab access is available up to six months after completing the CCIR programmes.
Students intending to participate must submit a Laboratory Access and Experiment Approval Form at least 1.5 to 2 months before their intended lab use date. Additionally, students are required to complete an online safety training session. This timeline ensures sufficient time for a comprehensive review by both CCIR and the facility, guaranteeing compliance with safety protocols, feasibility, and research quality. Certain experiments may also require approval from relevant governmental authorities.
The CCIR Academics Team will assist CCIR student researchers throughout the lab application process, providing guidance and support to ensure the application is complete and aligns with all requirements.
On lab day, it is essential to arrive on time. If you are underage, you must be accompanied by a guardian for the entire duration of your time at the lab. While guardians may not be permitted to enter the lab, they should remain in a nearby area or observe from behind the glass outside the lab in the adjacent conference room..
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by 1-2 biologists who will guide you through the lab environment and provide essential safety instructions. Once the orientation is complete, you may proceed with your experiment. The on-site biologists will be available to assist with any questions you may have regarding the equipment or the facility.
You should focus on developing the best project possible for your research area, rather than pursuing something just because it sounds more prestigious. It’s important to prioritize the quality and relevance of your project to your work.
Meanwhile, with the power of computational tools and machine learning, and the availability of data, you can undertake impactful projects without needing access to a physical lab.
Students interested in exploring STEM concepts without the need for a lab environment for their own projects are encouraged to select from a list of pre-approved experiments in the lab. These experiments provide an opportunity to delve deeper into STEM subjects and maybe spark new research passions.
We have developed a selection of pre-approved lab projects designed to allow students at any level to engage with and learn about advanced life science laboratory research. If you are interested in participating in these projects, please contact the CCIR Academics Team for more information.
While lab access is free, there may be additional costs for your transport, food, and accommodation. However, CCIR can secure special researcher rates for materials to help reduce expenses. Please plan accordingly for these potential costs.
Depending on the experiment the researcher is conducting, there might be additional materials fees (please see the next question).
On the Laboratory Access and Experiment Approval Form, you can include a list of materials you wish to use for your experiment. CCIR can order and secure special researcher rates for the materials. However, researchers are responsible for covering the additional cost of the materials.
However, it is not mandatory to purchase materials through CCIR. If you prefer to procure the materials yourself or if your school lab can provide the required items, you must specify the source and list the materials you intend to bring to the lab on the Laboratory Access and Experiment Approval Form.
While access to specific labs at the facility is typically restricted, there are many MIT buildings that are open to the public. You are welcome to explore these areas, but access to other labs will depend on the nature of your project and approval from relevant authorities.