Phd Student

The research group of Prof. Dr. Georg Häcker at the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene offers the position of a

**PhD student (M/F/d)**:

- We work on signals in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway that are generated during infection and by other injuries. In recent years, we have started focusing on the fact that the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway can also be active at a low, sub-lethal level. One consequence of this low-level activation is the introduction of DNA-damage through activation of the caspase-activated DNAse (CAD). Counterintuitively, this DNA-damage appears to be a physiological event with far-reaching roles in gene expression, inflammation and senescence.- In this project, we will focus on the role of CAD in cancer initiation and evolution. We have evidence of CAD-dependent introduction of genomic mutations and hypothesize that CAD plays a role in the acquisition of further mutations in cancer cells. We will endeavour to understand the long-term effects of CAD-activation in malignant and non-malignant cells. We will search for effects of CAD-activity in vivo and hope to identify the physiological and pathophysiological consequences of sub-lethal activity of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and in particular of CAD.**We offer**:
- a very well-equipped laboratory with colleagues skilled in many methods of basic medical research
- good opportunities for scientific exchange and interaction
- work in a pleasant atmosphere in a laboratory of 10-15 colleagues**Your tasks**:

- to use a broad portfolio of methods and further to develop novel scientific approaches
- some work with agents of infectious disease
- interactions with bioinformaticians with regard to mutational analysis

**Your profile**:

- a MSc. in cell biology, cellular microbiology, immunology or similar fields
- a technical background in cell biology/ molecular biology
- English language skills
- The position is limited to 3 years.**University Medical Center Freiburg**
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene**Prof. Dr. Georg Häcker**
- Hermann-Herder-Str. 11, 79104 Freiburg