Thesis

(online since: 04.09.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

Histomonosis of poultry is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis. In turkeys the disease often causes high mortality compared to chickens. Studies on the adapted immune response against the disease revealed several peculiarities for the two closely related avian species. However, there is no information on the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) during the immune defense against H. meleagridis. Elucidating changes in TLR expressions during infection of immune cells of chickens reveals responses of the innate immune system and can contribute to understand the disease outcome.

Within this project, a diploma thesis is available for measuring TLR-expression by RT-qPCR using an in vitro system. The main objective is to understand the innate immune response of immune cells of chickens against parasite. Technically, you will be closely supervised and acquainted with the different molecular biology procedures.

Requirements:

• theoretical/basic knowledge of RT-qPCR or PCR

Further information:

none

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of thesis: 5 to 7 months
• Start: asap
• Language of thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Institute: University Clinic for Poultry and Fish
• Contact:
  Dieter Liebhart
  Send E-Mail to Dieter Liebhart
  T +43 1 25077-4728

(Online since 27.12.2019)

Short description of the thesis:

Dr. Shi Yan is seeking for a motivated student to work on his FWF-funded project “Biosynthesis of helminth N-glycoproteins in insect cells”. Protein glycosylation is one of the most important post-translational modification events occurring in all biological systems. In eukaryotic cells, nascent proteins are processed by glycosyltransferases and glycosidases located in the ER and Golgi, leading to the formation of certain glycoforms crucial to the stability, function and antigenicity (in case of pathogens) of mature glycoproteins. Parasitic worms decorate their proteins with special sugarcoats, which are novel targets of host immune system. Therefore, identifying and charaterising novel glycoenzymes, which syntheses such parasite-type glycans, will increase our knowledge on the parasite antigen processing and provide useful tools for glycoengineering of parasite antigens.

Your tasks: Clone novel genes encoding glycosyltransferases and glycosidases of parasitic nematodes (RT-PCR) and express them in Pichia pastoris or insect cells; purify the recombinant products and carry out in vitro enzymatic assays using HPLC and MALDI-TOF MS.

Requirements:

• Fluent English
• Molecular biology
• PCR and DNA electrophoresis
• SDS-PAGE and Western blotting

Further information:

More information about the project can be found here ³.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 6 months
• Start: February 2020
• Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Institute of Parasitology at Vetmeduni Wien
• Contact person:
  Dr. Shi Yan
  Send E-Mail to Shi Yan
  T +43 1 25077-2218

Feedback from students requested by 31.01.2020