The laboratory for "Celluar Oncology" (Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Holger Bastians) is part of the Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB) and the University Medical Center Göttingen and is seeking highly motivated Ph.D. students as well as postdoctoral fellows with a high interest in bio-medical research focussing on cell cycle regulation and the molecular und cellular mechanisms of chromosomal instability in human cancer cells.
Our research topic:
Mitosis represents the key event during the eukaryotic cell cycle during which the DNA is equally distributed onto the two daughter cells. Defects in mitotic signaling pathways are often detected in human cancer and are directly associated with the missegregation of sister chromatids resulting in chromosomal instability (CIN) and aneuploidy. In fact, chromosomal instability represents a major characteristic of human cancer and is directly linked to tumorigenesis, tumor progression and altered therapy response. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CIN and the genetic lesions causing aneuploidy in human cancer are largely unknown.
Our lab is aiming to unravel these molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to chromosomal instability and to identify the molecular basis for its impact on tumorigenesis and therapy responses. Importantly, we aim to investigate whether chromosomal instability and associated defects in mitotic signaling pathways as a major cancer phenotype can be exploited as the „Achilles Heel“ of cancer. This will lead to the development of novel therapeutic concepts that are based on the molecular knowledge of the basic cell biological mechanisms.
Our most recent publications will give a first overview about our successfull work:
Stolz, A., Ertych, N., Kienitz, A., Vogel, C., Schneider, V., Fritz, B., Jacob, R., Dittmar, G., Weichert, W., Petersen, I. und Bastians, H. (2010). The CHK2-BRCA1 tumor suppressor pathway ensures chromosomal stability in human somatic cells. Nature Cell Biology 12: 492 – 499.
Stolz, A., Vogel, C., Schneider, V., Ertych, N., Kienitz, A., Yu.H. und Bastians, H. (2009). Pharmacologic abrogation of the mitotic spindle checkpoint by an indolocarbazole discovered by cellular screening efficiently kills cancer cells. Cancer Research, 69: 3874 - 3883.
Stolz A, Ertych N, Bastians H. (2010). Tumor suppressor CHK2: regulator of DNA damage response and mediator of chromosomal stability. Clin Cancer Res. 17(3):401-5
Kaestner P, Bastians H. (2010). Mitotic drug targets. J. Cell Biochem. 111(2):258-65.
We are using a wide spectrum of cell biological, molecular biological and biochemical methods and we are using human tissue culture cells as a model system and a particular methodological focus is on various microscopy techniques including deconvolution and confocal microscopy as well as life cell microscopy to follow the progression of mitotic cell division in living cells.
Our laboratory was recently newly established at the Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences and is part of the Göttingen Comprehensive Cancer Center (G-CCC). The Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB) is a joint initiative of more than 30 molecular biology research groups. Major goals of the GZMB are fostering interdisciplinary research activities, utilizing high-end technologies, supporting young scientists and an integrated student teaching approach by a wide spectrum of faculty.
Our lab provides brandnew lab space and state-of-the-art lab equipment in a highly stimulating scientific environment. In addition, both the GZMB and the Comprehensive Cancer Center provide a number of research facilities. Our lab is member of two DFG funded research groups, the KFO 179 and the FOR 942 (for further information on these research consortia see: www.kfo179.de and www.for942.med.uni-goettingen.de). Furthermore, our lab is funded by the DFG Heisenberg Excellence Program.
Excellent candidates for a Ph.D position inour lab will be given the chance to apply to the Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences and Molecular Bioscinces (GGNB; see: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/sh/56640.html).
Requirements for the project:
Applicants for a Ph.D. position should hold a MSc or Diploma degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine, human biology or related disciplines with a strong background in molecular and cell biology and biochemistry. Laboratory experience and a sound knowledge of biochemical and molecular biological techniques as well as experience with cell culture is a plus. We are looking for highly motivated Ph.D. students with a true interest in our topic.
Postdoctoral candidates should hold a PhD in molecular biosciences and should have a proven record in cancer related biomedical research. Experience with research topics related to cell cycle regulation and signal transduction would be of advantage.
If you are interested in joing our lab as a PhD student or as a postdoctoral fellow please send your complete application including CV, list of publications and a brief summary of the previous research experience and interests and the names and addresses of at least two referees via EMAIL (as a single pdf file) to:
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Holger Bastians: holger.bastians@uni-goettingen.de
Methoden:
cell biology
molecular biology
human tissue culture
microscopy
live cell microscopy
deconvolution microscopy
Anfangsdatum: 1. Dezember 2011
geschätzte Dauer: ca. 3 years
Bezahlung: according to BAT
Veröffentlichungen:
Stolz, A., Ertych, N., Kienitz, A., Vogel, C., Schneider, V., Fritz, B., Jacob, R., Dittmar, G., Weichert, W., Petersen, I. und Bastians, H. (2010). The CHK2-BRCA1 tumor suppressor pathway ensures chromosomal stability in human somatic cells. Nature Cell Biology 12: 492 – 499.
Stolz, A., Vogel, C., Schneider, V., Ertych, N., Kienitz, A., Yu.H. und Bastians, H. (2009). Pharmacologic abrogation of the mitotic spindle checkpoint by an indolocarbazole discovered by cellular screening efficiently kills cancer cells. Cancer Research, 69: 3874 - 3883.
Stolz A, Ertych N, Bastians H. (2010). Tumor suppressor CHK2: regulator of DNA damage response and mediator of chromosomal stability. Clin Cancer Res. 17(3):401-5
Kaestner P, Bastians H. (2010). Mitotic drug targets. J. Cell Biochem. 111(2):258-65.
Homepage: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/216801.html and www.kfo179.de and www.for942.med.uni-goettingen.de
starting date is not fixed.
Please send your applklication as a single pdf via email.