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Postdoc Position
FWF-Project:
Immunology of atherosclerosis
In the group of Georg Wick, Division of Experimental Pathophysiology and Immunology, Biocenter,
Innsbruck Medical University, Austria, a postdoc position for a T cell immunologist is available for 3
years starting on October 1, 2007.
In the group, cutting edge research is performed on the immunologic-inflammatory mechanisms that
initiate atherosclerosis. This work is based on the “autoimmune hypothesis” of atherogenesis that was
developed during the past few years based on experimental and clinical data (1).
In principle, this hypothesis states that the earliest stages of atherosclerosis are due to an attack of the
innate and adaptive immune system on arterial endothelial cells (ECs) that simultaneously express the
stress protein heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) together with adhesion molecules upon being subjected to
classical atherosclerosis risk-factors.
Part of the work in the group is supported by EU-funded grants and focuses on the stress response of
ECs to atherosclerosis risk-factors (e.g. 2), which makes these a target for pre-existing anti-HSP60
immunity (3, 4). The other part of research is devoted to the analysis of the immunologic effector
mechanisms. The successful applicant for the position will work on these latter aspects of
atherogenesis, i.e. perform phenotypic and functional analyses of T cells isolated from early human
atherosclerotic lesions.
The candidate is expected to possess theoretical and practical knowledge in T cell immunology (tissue
culture, phenotyping) and will apply this in combination with molecular biological and biooptical methods.
Salary according to the scheme of the Austrian Research Fund (FWF)
Literature:
1. G. WICK, M. KNOFLACH and Q. XU
Autoimmune and inflammatory mechanisms in atherosclerosis
Annu. Rev. Immunol. 22: 361-403 (2004)
2. D. BERNHARD, A. ROSSMANN, B. HENDERSON, M. KIND, A. SEUBERT and G. WICK
Increased serum cadmium and strontium levels in young smokers
Effects on arterial endothelial cell gene transcription
Arterioscl. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 26: 833-838 (2006)
3. H. PERSCHINKA, B. WELLENZOHN, W. PARSON, R. VAN DER ZEE, J. WILLEIT, S. KIECHL and G. WICK
Identification of atherosclerosis-associated conformational heat shock protein 60 epitopes by phage display
and structural alignment.
Atherosclerosis (2007) - Epub ahead of print
4. M. KNOFLACH, S. KIECHL, B. MAYRL, M. KIND, JS. GASTON, R. VAN DER ZEE, A. FAGGIONATO, A.
MAYR, J. WILLEIT and G. WICK
T-cell reactivity against HSP60 relates to early but not advanced atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis (2007) - Epub ahead of print
Enquiries:
Georg Wick, M.D.
Professor and Director
Division of Experimental Pathophysiology and Immunology
Biocenter
Innsbruck Medical University
Fritz-Pregl-Str. 3/IV, A-6020 Innsbruck
Tel: 0043/512/9003/70960, Fax: 0043/512/9003/73960
[email protected]
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