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 17.10.2019)

Short description of the thesis:

You will deal with:

• The isolation of protein and mRNA from murine tissue samples.
• The analyis of gene and protein expression of mitochondrial and metabolic proteins in different brain areas.

Furthermore, you will have the chance to participate in collaborative projects.

Requirements:

Preferentially, you studied Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or you come from a relat-ed field. You have a strong interest in investigating the function of mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane proteins.

Further information:

During your thesis you will work with murine brain samples from mice which were kept under different nutritional states (ketosis, caloric restriction, intermittent fasting).

For an introduction to the topic please see our publications:

1. Rupprecht et al. (2014) Uncoupling protein 2 and 4 expression pattern during stem cell differentiation provides new insight into their putative function. PLoS One. 2014; 9(2)
2. Hilse et al. (2018) The expression of uncoupling protein 3 coincides with the fatty acid oxi-dation type of metabolism in adult murine heart. Front. Physiol.
3. Smorodchenko, A. et al. (2009). Comparative analysis of uncoupling protein 4 distribution in various tissues under physiological conditions and during development. Biochim. Bio-phys. Acta 1788, 2309-2319.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 1 year
• Start: as soon as possible
• Language of the thesis: German or English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Physiologie und Biophysik
• Contact person:
  Univ.-Prof. Dr.med. Elena E. POHL
  Send E-Mail to Elena E. POHL
  T +43 1 25077-4570

Feedback from students requested by 15.11.2019

(Online since 17.10.2019)

Short description of the thesis:

The Fusani Lab at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna and the University of Vienna (https://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/en/konrad-lorenz-institute-of-ethology/about-us/our-team/fusani-leonida/ and fusanilab.org ³) is interested in recruiting two MSc students for exploring physiological and behavioural aspects of bird migration in spring 2020. Spring research will involve studies on the physiological and hormonal control of migration, decision making during stopover and behavioural changes experienced during migratory season. We offer students an extensive bird migration field work experience in an international environment. Students will learn the catching and handling of wild birds, will be taught how to conduct field experiments and process the samples collected therein. Birds will be held in short-term captivity in our on-site laboratory giving students the opportunity to learn the use of different methods and apparatuses (e.g. respirometer) in migratory bird research with a focus on physiological processes. Furthermore, students will be able to expand their team work and independent field work skills and gain a wide range of knowledge on different topics of avian migration.

Requirements:

We are seeking highly motivated candidates, who are keen on spending the entire fieldwork season together with other researchers at our field site on the island of Ponza. The ideal candidates should be team players and willing to be involved in intense team work throughout the field season. Furthermore, she/ he should be comfortable with spending some possibly long working days in the field and at our on-site laboratory. Honest motivation and commitment to the project are essential. The working language is English and knowledge of the language is necessary. Previous experience with bird related field work is very welcome but not a must.

Further information:

The project will start in February 2020 and the students’ availability for continuous fieldwork on the island of Ponza in Italy from March to May 2020 is required. The students should be ready to stay in Vienna and work on their Master project after returning from fieldwork to help with laboratory and data analysis.

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: Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology (KLIVV)
• Contact person:
  Julia Slezacek/ Professor Leonida Fusani
  Send E-Mail to Julia Slezacek
  Send E-Mail to Leonida Fusani
  T +43 1 25077-7419

Feedback from students requested by 23.12.2019

(Thesis online since 09.10.2019)

Short description of the thesis:

Emerging data highlight a critical role of the interaction between cancer cells and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of the tumour-stroma in drug responsiveness.The project is aimed at deciphering the drug-induced cross-talk between CAFs and colon cancer cells and identifying secreted biomolecules as well as cellular signalling pathways that modulate cancer cell survival during drug treatment. To this end a mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach will be applied to analyse biomolecules in three-dimensional organotypic co-culture models.

The candidate will carry out experimental research (perform metabolic labeling of cells, sample preparation for mass spectrometry including peptide enrichment and processing of raw data; assist data validation and functional analysis) in an interdisciplinary research team at IFA-Tulln, Vetmeduni Vienna, together with the project partners at the Medical University of Vienna and Austrian Biotech University of Applied Sciences.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in veterinary medicine, life sciences (biology, medicine or another relevant subject)
• Good background in cell biology and protein analysis
• Experience in nano LC-MS/MS as well as data analysis is an advantage
• Basic statistical knowledge

Further information:

Applications must include a motivation letter.
The project will be funded by NÖ Forschungs- und Bildungsges.m.b.H..

Key data:

• Duration of thesis: 36 months
• Start: February 2020
• Language of thesis: English

Name of organisational unit/clinic/institute:

• Unit: IFA-Tulln, Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production (Konrad Lorenzstrasse 20, AT-3430 Tulln) and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics (Veterinärplatz 1, AT-1210 Vienna)
• Contact person:
  Dr. Corina Itze-Mayrhofer
  Send E-Mail to Corina Itze-Mayrhofer
  T +43 1 47654-97501

Feedback from students requested by 16.12.2019