Master thesis – Molecular mechanisms behind the neurodevelopmental disorder PURA syndrome
Full time
Neuherberg near Munich
We are Helmholtz Munich. In a rapidly changing world, we discover breakthrough solutions for better health.
Our research is focused within the areas of metabolic health/diabetes, environmental health, molecular targets and therapies, cell programming and repair, bioengineering, and computational health. We particularly excel in the fields of basic research, bioengineering, artificial intelligence, and technological development.
Through this research, we build the foundations for medical innovation. Together with our partners, we seek to accelerate the transfer of our research, so that laboratory ideas can reach society and improve people’s quality of life at the fastest rate possible.
This is what drives us. Why not join us and make a difference?
We at the Institute of Structural Biology at Helmholtz Munich study the structure and function of the PURA protein. Our overall goal is to understand PURA’s cellular functions and the molecular consequences of a PURA deficiency in PURA syndrome patients. Therefore, we use genetically modified immortalized cell lines and patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). High-throughput techniques in these cells already gave us first ideas about PURA’s interactome and in which pathways PURA may play a role. These data need further validation to identify specific molecular mechanisms that cause the severe disorder. Ultimately, we want to provide information that can lead to the development of treatment strategies for PURA syndrome patients.
Interested? Join us on this crucial and challenging task for your master thesis or contact us if you want to be part of this as an intern.
For further information on the PURA Syndrome visit: https://www.purasyndrome.org/; and check out our lab: https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/en/stb/research-groups/niessing-lab
"We believe that excellent research requires a range of different perspectives. Diverse teams reach better solutions and are more innovative in their research topics.
Establishing our Diversity Management Strategy demonstrates our commitment to ensuring an appreciative company culture based on mutual respect. We are also implementing diversity-sensitive processes throughout our whole organization."
Your tasks
- Cell culture (human neural stem cells, iPSCs, fibroblasts)
- Differentiating into neural progenitor cells
- Immunofluorescence experiments
- Working with different CRISPR/Cas9 systems
- Proteome interaction studies
Your profile
- Student of Life Sciences (incl. Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology)
- Good written and spoken English skills
Since 2005, we hold the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for exemplary action in the sense of an equal-opportunity organizational culture.
Helmholtz Munich is actively committed to diversity and inclusion in practice and is sustainably committed to equality.
The Diversity Charter has set itself the goal of promoting diversity in the world of work. By signing the charter, we commit ourselves to create an appreciative working environment for all employees.
This position has a fixed term of 6 months.
We are committed to promoting a culture of diversity and welcome applications from talented people regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical abilities, religion or age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference. If you have obtained a university degree abroad, we will require further documents from you regarding the comparability of your degree. Please request the Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications as early as possible.
