SCIENCE-JOBS-DE

Immunobiology

Subjects: Biology
Topic: dissertation / thesis: Immunobiology
Contact: Prof. Nicola Gagliani
Reply to: nicolagagliani@hotmail.com
Institution: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Location: 20246 Ham, Martinistraße 52

Postdoctoral/PhD positions are available in the laboratory of Nicola Gagliani at the Molecular Immunobiology and Gastroenterology Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf University (Germany) (http://www.uke.de/kliniken/medizinische-klinik-1/index_105906.php?id=-1_-1_-1&as_link=http%3A//www.uke.de/kliniken/medizinische-klinik 1/index_105906.php). We are looking for highly motivated candidates with strong interest in basic and translational immunology.
Autoimmune-mediated diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases are the third leading cause of mortality in developed countries, and the prevalence of these diseases is increasing. Furthermore, chronic inflammation can drive the development and progression of cancer (Huber S. & Gagliani N. et al., 2012 Nature; Gagliani N. et al., Cell, 2014). CD4 T helper cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) not only protect the host against lethal infection, but can also differentiate into pathogenic cells and mediate the effects seen in immune mediated diseases. Our goal is to study the causes and the mechanisms of this lethal chronic immune responses and reveal unexplored therapeutic strategies.
In particular, we are interested in understanding whether CD4 T helper cell and the ILC differentiation is a linear, irreversible process, which ends with terminally differentiated cells, or it is a more dynamic phenomenon with preserved plastic potential. Studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for cell plasticity will make it possible to therapeutically reset the immune system and avoid the progression of diseases mediated by chronic inflammation. We have developed a large number of transgenic mouse models to study the plasticity of CD4 T helper cells and ILCs and its implications directly in vivo (Gagliani N. et al., Nature, 2015). We are also developing a single cell transcriptome analysis to define the molecular mechanism responsible for cell plasticity at single cell level. By integrating system biology with experimental approaches we aim to identify the molecular mechanism, which orchestrate the dynamic cell biology of T helper cells and ILCs. This will move our  understanding beyond viewing these cells as small groups of numbered subsets and finally recognize the potentially enormous diversity and, in turn, therapeutic opportunities intrinsic in T helper and ILC cells.
 Successful applicants are expected to have documented strong scientific background and knowledge in molecular and cellular biology. Experience with mouse models and tissue culture techniques is preferred.
The positions are available from 1st of December 2015.
For further information, please contact me at:
nicolagagliani@hotmail.com
nicola.gagliani@yale.edu

Start date: December 1, 2015

Estimated duration: 3-5 years

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