The aim of the PhD Program “Molecular Signal Transduction” is to provide outstanding training opportunities for the understanding of the molecular physiology of cellular signal transduction and pathological alterations therein for the students. The program, which in particular covers the fields of physiology and pharmacology, will offer students the opportunity to work with approved scientists on cutting-edge research projects.
The function of an organism relies on the capability of cells to generate and to receive signals and to transduce various signals into appropriate responses. Accordingly, diseases can be viewed as perturbed signal transduction in various tissues and organs. This principle applies not only to rare diseases, which are caused by single point mutations, but also to more widespread diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, or chronic inflammatory diseases. An understanding of the molecular physiology of cellular signal transduction is an essential prerequisite for the perception of pathological alterations therein.
A consequence of this knowledge is the possibility to specifically interfere with the disordered signal transduction. In accordance with this principle, most pharmacotherapeutic agents exert their actions by interfering with certain molecules of signal transduction cascades, such as hormone receptors and associated second messengers. Graduates of the thesis program "Molecular Signal Transduction" will be educated scientists who can contribute to clinical, clinic-related ("translational science"), as well as basic scientific work. They will be able to independently conceptualize and perform their own projects. Graduates will also be capable to establish themselves in various other fields (e.g. academic and industrial laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, production, distribution and sales of scientific instruments).