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: 28.03.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

Males and females differ in many traits, including morphology, physiology and behavior. This sexual dimorphism is due to the difference in the reproductive roles of the two sexes. In our lab, we have evolved several fruit fly populations to a novel environment. This project tests the hypothesis that after more than one hundred generations in the lab, the two sexes have evolved in their sexual behavior, such as chasing, courtship or copulation. We will perform high-throughput behavioral phenotyping using real-time tracking system and automated behavior recognition approaches to identify and quantify behavioral differences. This project would give you opportunity to study behavior in an evolutionary framework.

Requirements:

• strong interest in sexual behavior and evolution
• interest to study complex behavior using state of the art computer based data analysis

Further information:

• The project includes training the student in culturing and phenotyping of flies
• The project is embedded in an international research team

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of thesis: 6 months
  
• Start: asap
• Language of thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Institute: Institute of Population Genetics
• Contact:
  Sheng-Kai Hsu, MSc
  Send E-Mail to Sheng-Kai Hsu
  T +43 1 25077-4339
  

(Online since 15.03.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

The mammalian oviduct hosts fertilization and the early embryonic development. Oviductal fluid molecules establish the favourable microenviroment that influence amongst others embryonal genome reprogramming and contribute further to the embryo development.Thus mimicking this micromilieu is a long-term goal to optimize in vitro culture systems and to increase embryo quality. In the present project we aim at (i) accessing the in vivo milieu by endoscopic technology and (ii) characterizing the function of these molecules in in vitro fertilization procedures in cattle.

Requirements:

Degree in Veterinary Medicine/ Medicine or Life Sciences

The project focuses on collection of bovine oviductal fluid samples, proteomics, in vitro production of embryos and immunohistochemical analyses. Interest and initial experience in one of these areas will therefore be paramount for the successful candidate.

Further information:

Reproduction Centre Wieselburg (RCW) and Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production (IFA Tulln) are located in Lower Austria.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 3 years
  
• Start: asap
• Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Reproduktionszentrum Wieselburg und Institut für Biotechnologie in der Tierproduktion, IFA Tulln
• Contact person:
  Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Urban Besenfelder; Dr. Corina Mayrhofer
  T +43 1 47654-97510
  Send E-Mail to Urban Besenfelder
  Send E-Mail to Corina Mayrhofer
  

(Thesis online since 31.07.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

Over the past years, Vienna hast developed into one of the leading centres of population genetics. The Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics has been founded to provide a training opportunity for PhD students to build on this excellent on-site expertise.

We invite applications from highly motivated and outstanding students with a background in one of the following disciplines: bioinformatics, statistics, evolutionary genetics, functional genetics, theoretical and experimental population genetics. Students from related disciplines, such as physics or mathematics are also welcome to apply.

Topics include:

• Contribution of transposable elements to adaption during experimental evolution
• Detection of adaptive gene introgression
• Efficient detection of variants of polygenic adaption in Drosophila experimental evolution
• Evolution of gene expression
• Footprints of polygenic adaption
• Functional characterization of adaptive QTLs
• Historical demography in horses
• Incipient speciation during adaption to a new environment
• Inference of selection parameters using whole genome data
• Microbiome evolution in Drosophila
• Multi-measurement experimental evolution: How to combine evidence from different sources?
• Polygenic adaption: The roles of pleiotropy and epistasis
• Population genomic footprints and drivers of repeated trait shifts during adaptive radiation
• Sequence diversity in mammalian Y chromosomes
• The genetics of local adaption in Arabidopsis thaliana
• The molecular basis of recurring, multi-trait adaption to substrate
• The role of a nascant sex chromosome on interspecific patterns of allele sharing
• The sources of variation fueling adaptive radiation after long-distance dispersal
• Transposon polymorphism in Arabidopsis thaliana
• Within-species consequences of genomic interactions in ecologically important species

Requirements:

Only complete applications (application form, CV, motivation letter, university certificates, indication of the two preferred topics in a single pdf) received by February 14, 2019 will be considered. Two letters of recommendation need to be sent directly by the referees. Accepted PhD students will receive a monthly salary based on currently EUR 2.112 before tax according to the regulations of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).

Further information:

All information about the available topics, the training program and the application procedure can be found at www.popgen-vienna.at ³.

Key data:

• Duration of thesis: 3 years
• Start: September 2019
• Language of thesis: English

Name of organisational unit/clinic/institute:

• Unit: Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics
• Contact person:
  Dr. Julia Hosp
  Send E-Mail to Julia Hosp
  T +43 1 25077-4338

Feedback from students requested by 14.02.2019

(Thesis online since 31.07.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

measurements of the transport function of transmembrane proteins in artificial lipid membranes and giant liposomes

Requirements:

You studied Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Physics or Biophysical Chemistry, and you speak English fluently. You are interested in electrophysiological experiments, membrane biophysics, molecular biology and structure/function of mitochondrial proteins.

Further information:

30h/week.
Your additional responsibilities will be participation in collaborative projects and teaching of practical courses for students of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedicine.

Key data:

• Duration of thesis: up to 3-4 years
• Start: asap
• Language of thesis: English or German

Name of organisational unit/clinic/institute:

• Unit: Physiology and Biophysics
• Contact person:
  Univ.-Prof. Dr. Elena Pohl
  Send E-Mail to Elena Pohl
  T +43 1 25077-4570

(Thesis online since 31.07.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

Investigation of the function of mitochondrial membrane proteins and their involvement in cell metabolism, stem cell differentiation, cancer and inflammation/neuroinflammation

Requirements:

You studied Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Physics or Biophysical Chemistry, and you speak English fluently. You are interested in the investigation of the function of mitochondrial membrane proteins and their involvement in cell metabolism, stem cell differentiation, cancer and inflammation/neuroinflammation. Experience in fluorescence and confocal microscopy, cell culture maintenance, mitochondrial isolation, immohistochemistry and genetic techniques are of advantage.

Further information:

30 h/week.
Your additional responsibilities will be participation in collaborative projects and teaching of practical courses for students of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedicine.

Key data:

• Duration of thesis: up to 3-4 years
• Start: asap
• Language of thesis: English or German

Name of organisational unit/clinic/institute:

• Unit: Physiology and Biophysics
• Contact person:
  Univ.-Prof. Dr. Elena Pohl
  Send E-Mail to Elena Pohl
  T +43 1 25077-4570