New Antiinfectives

The increasing appearance of resistant bacterial pathogens requires the continuous search for new antiinfectives with new targets and, ideally, a probably reduced rate of resistance development. To address new targets the knowledge about host – pathogen interactions should be exploited. As response to conditions in the host bacteria frequently express proteins, which allow survival and proliferation and which are virulence factors. Novel anti-infective strategies aim at the inhibition of either virulence factor expression or virulence factor activity. Thus, in this PhD project host - pathogen interactions will be mimicked by suitable in vitro cultivation conditions and cellular co-culture systems. Target pathogens will be Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli – strains. Suitable screening assays have to be established, which could be based either on the pathogen alone, but also on co-culture systems between host cells and bacteria. The physiological state of the pathogen in these conditions will be validated by appropriate analytical methods. Screening campaigns can use compound libraries comprising in total roughly 30000 small molecules. Identified active compounds will be developed further with respect to mode of action and SAR studies. State-of-the art bioanalytical methods are available for in-depth molecular analysis of the biological systems.

Weitere Informationen

Unternehmen

Helmholtz Gemeinschaft

Bereich/Abteilung

Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research

Abschlussart

Dissertation

Ansprechpartner/in

For questions regarding the PhD project, please contact Prof. Dr. Bilitewski via e-mail ursula.bilitewski@helmholtz-hzi.de or phone +49-531-6181-1010.

Branche

Forschung und Entwicklung

Anforderungen

• Master’s Degree/Diploma in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Biology or a related field of the life sciences
• Practical microbiological and cell culture experience, ideally with bacteria of BSL 2
• Experience with bioanalytical techniques (e.g. protein analysis, qPCR)
• Biochemical understanding of microbiological reactions
• Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken)
• Ability to work independently and as part of an international team
• A strong desire to do research with high self-motivation and enthusiasm

Zusatzinformationen

Standort
Hauptsitz Braunschweig

Forschungsgruppe
Compound Profiling und Screening - Prof. Dr. Ursula Bilitewski
Schwerbehinderte
Bei gleicher fachlicher Eignung erhalten Schwerbehinderte den Vorzug.

Einstellungstermin
as soon as possible

Befristung
Initial contract for 3 years

Probezeit
6 months

Vergütung
TVöD E13 (65%) or research scholarship

Veröffentlicht
04.05.2016

Bewerbungsschluss ist der 01.06.2016

Applicants are required to complete the online application form here:

https://hzi.opencampus.net/

(Please refer to the job number 12/2016).