Vakanzen
Das Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie bietet Naturwissenschaftlern und Medizinern die Möglichkeit, projektbezogene Master- und Doktorarbeiten anzufertigen.
Project: ‚Interaction of alveolar epithelium and macrophages under mechanical strain’
Project description
Our research focus lies on the investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening frequently occurring inflammatory lung disease for which to date no pharmacological cure is available. The only life-saving intervention in ARDS is mechanical ventilation, although it has been shown that mechanical forces aggravate pre-existing inflammation in the lung. The underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood and are therefore subject of our research. In addition to our state-of-the-art in vivo animal models of ARDS, we have established an in vitro model of alveolar epithelial monolayers co-cultured with macrophages to investigate whether cyclic strain not only promotes inflammation, but also inhibits the resolution of inflammation by reprogramming alveolar cells and whether ΜΦ are affected directly or by signals derived from alveolar epithelial cells.
Your tasks
You will be part of the DFG-funded graduate school ‘Mechanobiology in Epithelial 3D Tissue Constructs’ (me3t.rwth-aachen.de, MEƎT) and work at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen (UKA). You will study the interaction of macrophages and the alveolar epithelium under cyclic mechanical strain and of high and low strain amplitudes to mimic different inflammatory mechanical ventilation regimes. You will analyze cellular adaptation to strain on cytoskeletal components, the molecular inflammatory response and macrophage polarization (M1/M2) by using high resolution immunofluorescence imaging, qRT-PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry and further methods. Additionally, you will identify early markers for cell adaptation by genome wide sequencing techniques with subsequent in silico analyses and correlate these with the inflammatory response.
Your profile
- Very good M-Sc. degree in biology or biotechnology
- Commitment to science and particular interest in medically relevant questions
- Comprehensive expertise in the fields of cell and molecular biology
- Broad experience in standard techniques, e.g.: PCR, antibody-based detection methods, light microscopy, cell culture
- Motivation, curiosity, team spirit, dedication
Fluent written and spoken English
We offer
- Interdisciplinary research (experimental pharmacology, molecular cell biology, mechanobiology, biophysics and medicine)
- Broad variety of methods and inclusion into the graduate school MEƎT
- Excellent teamwork and supervision
Send application to
Dr. rer. nat. Kathleen Reiss
kreissukaachende
Phone: +49 241 80 89126
