Neurosurgical Research at the University Hospital Munich

Profile

Department/Institute:
Neurosurgical Research at the University Hospital Munich
Subject area:
Neuroscience and neurooncology
Name of supervisor:
Prof. Dr. Rainer Glass
Number of open position:
1
Project title:
The role of endothelial and vascular mural cells in blood-brain tumor barrier formation
Project time plan:
Full Doctoral Study-Model: 36 to 48 months
Language requirements:
Very good English and communication skills are required.
Academic requirements:
We invite applications from candidates that have graduated in Medicine (in the fields of Neurology or Neurosurgery) or from biologists / biochemists which have obtained an M.Sc. or equivalent degree

Project description:

Tumors originating in the brain, like glioblastomas (GBM), are highly resistant to conventional therapies and consequently GBM patients have a dismal prognosis. One reason for treatment failure is that GBM are shielded from blood-borne therapeutics through a vascular barrier (the blood-tumor-barrier; BTB). We investigate the cell biological processes promoting BTB formation and also have identified therapeutic strategies to tackle this therapy resistance mechanism. In the current project we will use established transgenic mouse strains for lineage-tracing and manipulation (e.g. cell-ablation) of endothelial cells, fibroblasts and (perivascular) fibroblasts. We will explore the individual roles of these cell types in BTB development. Therefore, we will use the individual transgenic mouse lines as brain tumor models and quantify the cellular composition and function of brain tumor vessels over a time course. We will explore molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for BTB formation in GBM by scRNAseq, conditional knockouts and cell-ablation approaches. Overall, this is project investigates fundamental mechanisms in vascular biology to improve the treatability of a range of CNS neoplasms.

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