Molecular and cellular defense mechanisms of the innate and the adaptive immune system protect organisms against harmful pathogens and against the development of malignant cells. Moreover, the proper regulation of the immune system is key for tissue homeostasis. However, overreactions of the immune system are responsible for the establishment of immune-mediated diseases such as allergy, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, psoriasis and atherosclerosis. It is therefore of enormous importance for contemporary biomedical science to increase the knowledge about the mode of action of the immune system. This will help to design better therapies for the cure of these diseases as well as for designing novel immune-based therapies to fight cancer and infectious diseases.
The PhD Program Immunology offers students excellent training opportunities in the field of immunology, allergology and infectiology. PhD students have the opportunity to work with faculty members on cutting-edge research projects in stimulating international research environments. Projects range from understanding basic aspects of immune cell development and function to infection immunology, from the analysis of disease mechanisms in autoimmunity and allergy to the development of therapeutic strategies of immune-related diseases. PhD students will learn a variety of molecular and cellular methods required for an immunological analysis as well as multicolor flow cytometry. Dependent on the research projects, they will also apply cutting-edge technologies such as next generation sequencing including single-cell RNA-seq and ATAC-seq as well as proteomics approaches. Thus, PhD students in the program have the opportunity to focus on basic research projects to investigate fundamental immunological processes or perform disease-oriented translational research. Furthermore, students will also acquire complementary skills in the fields of ethics, project management and entrepreneurship. Taken together, the PhD program Immunology will prepare students for a successful scientific career within academia and/or industry, or on other science-related career paths. As of 2024, the faculty comprises around 50 research laboratories hosting more than 150 PhD students.
Contact
Wilfried Ellmeier
P: +43 (0)1 40160 -33293
wilfried.ellmeier@meduniwien.ac.at
Christa Gregori-Schüller
P: +43 (0)1 40160 - 33295
christa.gregori@meduniwien.ac.at