Two PhD positions available at Heidelberg University, Heidelberg

The Division of Cardiovascular Physiology (Head Professor Markus Hecker) at the Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology of Heidelberg University offers two PhD theses projects in the working groups of Dr. Marco Catturzza and Dr. Thomas Korff, respectively, for students of biology, biochemistry or related fields.

The projects cover the following subjects :

• Endothelial cell-leucocyte interaction under conditions of a genetically determined endothelial dysfunction (nitric oxide deficiency) (Dr. Marco Cattaruzza) The project deals with immunoregulatory processes during arteriosclerotic remodelling processes in the vessel wall. Human endothelial cells which are unable to up-regulate endothelial NO synthase (NOS3) expression due to a mutation in the gene’s promoter region provide a model, which is well characterised by our working group, to analyse interactions between endothelial cells, platelets and various immune effector cells under the influence of an endothelial dysfunction. The work should provide insight into the immunoregulatory cascades underlying potential compensatory mechanisms for this dysfunction that may be used for therapeutic purposes in the future.
• Endothelial cell differentiation during angiogenesis and inflammatory reactions (Dr. Thomas Korff) .The project aims at analysing the activation of endothelial cells during angiogenic and inflammatory processes, and the associated stimulation of immune effector cells. A major goal is the analysis and experimental modification of calcium-dependent signalling pathways in human cells in vitro and in mouse models in vivo with the aim to establish, e.g. a basis for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory reactions of the skin.