Welcome ...
...to Greifswald. Greifswald is a charming university city located on the Baltic Sea, close to popular tourist destinations such as the islands of Rügen and Usedom. It is conveniently situated approximately 250 km from Berlin and Hamburg, two major metropolitan areas that offer some of the best cultural and recreational opportunities in Germany.
Founded in 1456, the University of Greifswald is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It offers a diverse range of programs, including medicine, natural sciences, economics, law, linguistics, as well as arts and music. Renowned personalities, such as Nobel laureate Gerhard Domagk, have contributed to the university's rich academic legacy. Beyond academics, the university provides a variety of sports activities and leisure opportunities, ensuring a well-rounded and enjoyable experience for students.
The Project
Osteoporosis is a major disease burden in the elderly. More than 20% of women and 6% of men over 50 years of age suffer from osteoporosis. These individuals have an increased risk of fractures, which, at an advanced age, not only substantially reduces quality of life but can also be life-threatening.
In this DFG-funded project, we are analyzing the role of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1), an enzyme that controls the synthesis of cortisol in bone, in the development of osteoporosis. Our primary focus is on common inborn genetic variants of 11β-HSD1 as potential risk factors for developing osteoporosis. Project relevant papers of our group are: Kragl
et al. 2022 (PMID: 36091434), Kragl
et al. 2023 (PMID: 37831088) and Siggelkow
et al. JCEM 2014 (PMID: 24285685).
PhD student (f/m/x) “Influence of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 on bone fat content”
Activities and responsibilities
Key components of this project will include:
- Culturing and differentiating of human mesenchymal stem cell models
- RNA-seq analysis of cells genetically manipulated to overexpress or knock out 11β-HSD1
- Generation of cells lacking intron 5 of 11β-HSD1 using CRISPR/Cas9
- Detailed functional characterization of genetic variants in 11β-HSD1, which will involve reporter gene assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and real-time gene expression analyses.
- Data analyses
- Presentation of results at scientific meetings
- Writing of scientific manuscripts
Qualification profile
- A highly motivated candidate with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in human biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or molecular medicine
- Proficiency in English and MS Office
- Experience with cell culture, recombinant DNA technologies, or analysis of transcriptional regulation will be an advantage
We offer
- A TV-L 13 (65%) position for three years
- A structured PhD program at the University Medicine Greifswald (https://www.medizin.uni-greifswald.de/en/research-and-teaching/wissenschaftliche-graduierung/doctorate/phd-mdphd-and-dmdphd/)
- An opportunity to work in a well-equipped molecular and cell biology laboratory
- Professional supervision. The project is a collaboration between the groups of Prof. Dr. Mladen Tzvetkov, Dr. Janosch Schoon from Greifswald and Prof. Dr. Heide Siggelkow (Göttingen). The three groups combine a long-lasting experience in the fields of functional genetic analyses, cell biology and endocrinology.
- Integration into a motivated and friendly team
- Applications in both English and German will be accepted
University Medicine Greifswald
Prof. Dr. Mladen Tzvetkov
Fleischmannstraße 8
17475 Greifswald
email