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Matthias Noll Institut für Molekulare Parasitologie Humboldt Universität Berlin Philippstr. 13, Haus 14 10115 Berlin [email protected] Master Thesis Offer Characterization of cyclic nucleotide signaling in the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii We are looking for a highly motivated student, who has a deep interest in molecular parasitology. In our group we are studying the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, one of the most abundant eukaryotic pathogens of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Successful infection, pathogenesis and transmission of the parasite depend on multiplication, persistence and interconversion of its two asexual stages. The fast-replicating tachyzoites cause acute tissue necrosis and then differentiate into dormant, tissue-dwelling bradyzoite (chronic) stage upon physicochemical and immune stress. Cyclic nucleotides are known to mediate the adaptive gene expression and cellular reprogramming associated with stress response in a number of microbial pathogens. Likewise, cyclic nucleotides are expected to control acute-chronic stage differentiation and cognate modulation of underlying processes in T. gondii. Understanding the cyclic nucleotide signaling could be the key to understand cell cycle, stage switching and parasite-host interaction in T. gondii. We are currently working on cyclic nucleotide signaling. The main focus of the proposed master thesis will be the characterization of cyclic nucleotide cyclases and/or optogenetic manipulation of the cyclic nucleotide levels in T. gondii. The student will characterize the cyclases and determine the effects of knock outs of these genes on growth and virulence of the parasite. The student will gain experience in cell culture, genetic manipulation, parasite phenotyping, online database usage and bioinformatics tools, as well as an insight into cell signaling profiling. The work will be performed in the research group of Dr. Nishith Gupta. For additional information about our ongoing research and laboratory, please refer to https://www.parasit.hu-berlin.de/gruppenseiten-en/molpara-en/research/metabolism Send a brief introduction about yourself and your CV to: [email protected]