PhD student (TVL E13/2)
starting October/November 2011
in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Oliver Fackler.
Replication of major human pathogens such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) is potently suppressed by intrinsic immunity strategies of the host. Consequently, HIV-1 encodes gene products that allow circumvention of this innate immune response. CD317/tetherin was described as host cell factor that restricts HIV-1 replication by preventing release of mature virus particles and that is efficiently counteracted by the viral protein Vpu (Neil et al., 2008, Nature; van Damme et al., 2008, Cell Host & Microbe). Following our initial characterization of the mechanism of Vpu antagonism (Goffinet et al., 2009, Cell Host & Microbe; Goffinet et al., 2010, J. Virol.; Schmidt et al., MBio, 2011), this project will now focus on host cell proteins that mediate biological activities of Vpu.
Key approaches of this project will include the biochemical identification of protein-protein interactions and the functional characterization of Vpu-associated factors by flow cytometry and confocal laser microscopy. Some aspects of this study will include work with live infectious HIV-1 at the security level 3. The successful candidate should have a strong background and interest in virology, cell biology and biochemistry along with a very high level of motivation to conduct creative and independent research on this project with biomedical relevance.
In the context of a structured PhD graduate program we offer interesting research topics with biomedical relevance in a stimulating and interactive scientific environment at an internationally competitive level. Please send your applications until September 10 to:
Prof. Dr. Oliver T. Fackler
Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology
University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 324
69120 Heidelberg
phone: ++49- (0)6221-56-1322
fax: ++49- (0)6221-56-5003
Email: oliver_fackler@med.uni-heidelberg.de
homepage http://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/Fackler.6555.0.html