Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research

Department/Institute:
Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Vascular Biology
Subject area:
Cardiovascular Research, Atherosclerosis, Cytokines/Chemnokines
Name of supervisor:
Prof. Jürgen Bernhagen, PhD (Chair of Vascular Biology)
Dr. El Bounkari, PhD (Senior scientist)
Number of open position:
1
Project title:
Role and mechanisms of new MIF proteins in atherosclerosis and its metabolic comorbidities
Project time:
Full Docotoral Study-Model: 36 or 48 months
Language requirements:
Fluent command of English in speaking and writing
Academic requirements:
One of the following areas: Master degree in Medicine (with a preference for specialization in Cardiovaskular Diseases, Cardiology, Neurovascular Diseases, Neurology), Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Science or Biomedical Engineering

Project description:

Atherosclerosis patients at risk of heart attack and stroke are treated with statins, but many suffer from a high risk of inflammation. Recent clinical studies show that cardiovascular events are reduced by anti-inflammatory therapies (e.g., against interleukin-1, IL-1). However, the treatment is accompanied by severe side effects, which necessitates improved and more specific anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Chemokines are an attractive target class in this context. They are significantly involved in the atherosclerotic process, belong to the “druggable” target structures as ligands of GPCRs, and act much more vasculature-specific than general inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1. In this project, we are investigating a specific class of atypical chemokines, the so-called MIF proteins, and their receptors, which encompass GPCR-type chemokine receptors, and are exploring their contribution to immune cell migration into the atherosclerotic vessel wall and to vascular inflammation. Based on previous findings (El Bounkari et al, Nat Commun 2025), we also study their role in driving hepatic steatosis, a condition that can amplify atherosclerosis. Methodologically, we use biochemical and vascular biological experiments, in vitro assays with immune cells and hepatocytes, ex vivo cell assays, and in vivo mouse models of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we investigate the mechanisms in mouse and human tissue (including material from atherosclerotic patients after carotid endarterectomy) using RNA sequencing, immunostaining, and state-of-the-art OMICS technologies. The specific focus of the CSC project will be on the MIF paralog D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT, MIF-2).

To applicants: Please send following initial application documents to LMU-CSC Office before 15th December:

  • Resume and Research Motivation Letter
  • Certificate of Proficiency in English, equivalent to IELTS Test Academic 6.5 (no module below 6) or TOEFL IBT 95, is required
  • Two letters of recommendation directly sent from your current Supervisors/Professors to LMU-CSC Office
Contact LMU-CSC Office: csc.international@lmu.de