Division of Cardiovascular Physiology (Prof. Dr. M. Hecker)
The Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology of Heidelberg University, Division of Cardiovascular Physiology (Prof. Dr. Markus Hecker) offers a PhD position to work on zyxin control of stretch-induced arterial remodelling.

The focal adhesion molecule zyxin specifically translocates to the nucleus of vascular cells in response to stretch or hypertension. In the nucleus, the protein orchestrates expression of a majority of stretch-/pressure-induced genes, among which mRNAs encoding for matrix proteins and ECM modifying enzymes are prominent. Aged zyxin-deficient mice show a reorientation of the arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in response to hypertension, associated with a more pronounced pressure-induced passive distension and a failure to up-regulate blood pressure. It appears that adult zyxin-deficient mice develop a severe deficit in arterial contractility due to a marked alteration in matrix composition and that the stretch-sensitive transcription factor zyxin has a major impact on the control of vascular SMC phenotype. The project will investigate the role of zyxin-controlled ECM proteins and matrix-modifying enzymes in pressure-induced vascular remodeling both in vitro and in vivo.

The project includes several weeks of training with our collaborators in Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Münster within the framework of the Marie Curie Initial Training Network “SmArteR”.

References:

• Cattaruzza M et al., Hypertension. 2004;43(4):726-30.
• Wójtowicz A et al., Circ Res. 2010;107(7):898-902.
• Babu SS et al., Sci Signal. 2012;5(254):ra91.

Methods that will be used:
Primary cell culture, siRNA-based knockdown, animal models, molecular biology techniques, protein biochemistry, immunohistochemistry

Personal qualifications:

• Must have spent less than 12 months in Germany in the last three years (though no restrictions on citizenship)
• Master or diploma in biology, biochemistry or related fields
• Knowledge of cell biological, molecular biological as well as biochemical techniques or willingness to acquire the necessary skills
• Team-minded and flexible
• Ability to rapidly familiarize him/herself with new research areas in theory and praxis

The position will come with a yearly living allowance in accordance with the regulations specified by the European Commission for Marie Curie Initial Training Networks.

The successful candidates will be enrolled in the Hartmut Hoffmann-Berling International Graduate School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (HBIGS) of Heidelberg University, which provides an educational framework for young graduate students, both with a bioscience and with a medical background.

Please submit your application via the HBIGS website by September 15 at the latest by clicking here. Project no.: Hecker_SmArteR01

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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.

For more information, please visit official website: www.medizinische-fakultaet-hd.uni-heidelberg.de.