Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:

The proposed thesis focuses on understanding the response of the avian immune system to bacterial pathogens, specifically avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). One of the primary objectives of this study is to investigate the function of individual subsets of immune cells and their cytokine responses elicited against APEC.
The research will primarily utilize flow cytometry and cell sorting techniques to analyze chicken immune cells. The plan is to isolate, culture and sort immune cells from chickens, followed by in vitro bacterial stimulation to study cell specific immune responses. Ultimately, the findings will provide a foundation for future investigations into the immune responses of infected birds in vivo. The applicant will gain expertise in working with flow cytometry, specifically in cell sorting techniques, and will be trained to analyze the resulting data.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

Basic knowledge in immunology and general laboratory techniques are required. The applicant will be trained in specific techniques related to immune cell analysis, including flow cytometry and cell sorting.

Additional Information:

The duration of the work is approximately 6 months. The starting date is flexible.

Planned duration of the thesis project:
01.01.2025 to 30.06.2025

Language of the Thesis:
English

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Clinical Centre for Population Medicine in Fish, Pig and Poultr

Contact Person for the Thesis:

Dr. Sina Bagheri, DVM, DVSc, PhD,  sina.bagheri@vetmeduni.ac.at /
Assoz.Prof. Dr.med.vet. Dieter Liebhart, Dipl.ECPVS, dieter.liebhart@vetmeduni.ac.at

Interested candidates may reply until: 
01/2025

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is used extensively in biomedical research as a growth supplement that offers essential nutrients and growth factors for the maintenance and growth of cultured cells. Because FBS is derived from bovine foetuses, the use of it is considered ethically objectionable. On top of that, it is a source of contaminants, such as exogenous bovine extracellular vesicles (EVs), xenogenic RNAs, and protein aggregates, that are undesirable in clinical cell-based/EV-based therapies. The proposed thesis will follow the option of using two commercially available serum- and xeno-free/serum-reduced media that are intended for culturing human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in equine and canine MSCs cultures. The applicant will analyse the EV and nanoparticle content of the serum- and xeno-free media, and would follow their impact on MSCs behaviour (growth, senescence, metabolic activity etc.), compared to standard media containing FBS.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Basic laboratory skills are necessary – pipetting, weighing, pH measurement, centrifuge using etc.
• Experience with working in cell culture lab is an advantage, but not necessary, if the applicant is motivated and diligent to learn

Additional Information:

• Work will be performed at the Unit of Physiology and Pathophysiology and at Vetcore.
• Part of the work will be conducted on live cell cultures. Time flexibility is therefore necessary.
• The duration of the work is approximately 6 months. The starting date is flexible.

Planned duration of the thesis project:
January 2025 - June 2025

Language of the Thesis:
English

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Department für Biologische Wissenschaften und Pathobiologie, Zentrum für Biologische Wissenschaften
Abteilung für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie

Contact Person for the Thesis:
Alice Ramesova, PhD, alice.ramesova@vetmeduni.ac.at

Interested candidates may reply until: 
01/2025

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
With a series of behavioural and eye-tracking tests we want to investigate if pet dogs can see the world from others’ perspectives and in particular if they understand that others can make mistakes. In this project we will test pet dogs in behavioural tasks, such as the one described here: royalsociety.org/blog/2021/07/are-dogs-sensitive-to-human-mental-states/. Moreover, we will record videos to be shown to dogs who participate in eye-tracking tests. The main responsibilities during the internship will include: recruiting the dogs’ caregivers, for example through our database and social media; testing dogs in behavioural tasks; scoring videosof dogs' behaviours; reading the scientific literature on the topic; writing experimental protocols and documenting progress.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
•    BSc in Biology or related field
•    Interpersonal skills (to recruit and interact with dogs’ caregivers)
•    Certified experience with dog training is preferred but not required

Additional Information:
If this sounds interesting to you, and you have at least 4 months to dedicate to this project, please apply here: s.surveyplanet.com/llhm9yc3.

Planned duration of the thesis project:
Autumn 2024 to Spring 2025

Language of the Thesis:
English

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Messerli Research Institute, Clever Dog Lab

Contact Person for the Thesis:
Contact: Lucrezia Lonardo, PhD (lucrezia.lonardo@vetmeduni.ac.at)
Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ludwig Huber (ludwig.huber@vetmeduni.ac.at)

Interested candidates may reply until: 
As soon as possible

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
Colitis is a frequent and serious problem in horses as well as humans. The pathophysiological mechanisms are supposed to involve a complex crosstalk between immune cells and epithelial cells that results in destruction of the epithelial barrier and further progression of disease. This project aims to establish a co-culture model of equine colon epithelium and immune cells to characterize the signalling pathways involved and to test new therapeutic approaches.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
High motivation, experience in cell culture work and/or molecular biology;  
BSc degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedicine or a related subject 

Further Information:
We offer a highly supportive team, established methods and guidance by supervisor and colleagues.

Language of the Thesis:
German or English

Duration of the thesis:
6 months

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Contact Person for the Thesis:
Franziska Dengler - Franziska.dengler@vetmdeuni.ac.at
Jessika Cavalleri - Jessika.cavalleri@vetmeduni.ac.at

Feedback from students requested by:
as soon as possible, flexible starting date

Please send a short CV and motivation letter.