Research Project on Microbiota-Associated Pathobionts

What it is about

You work practically in a microbiome research laboratory on a subproject that investigates how certain microorganisms of the microbiome can cause diseases under specific conditions (pathobionts, e.g. adherent-invasive Escherichia coli). In the end you will be able to apply laboratory methods, analyze data and independently work on research-based questions.

What you will be able to do

Recognize, understand and apply laboratory techniques
Perform data analysis and evaluation under supervision
Plan and implement hypothesis-driven research project
Identify pathobionts and investigate virulence and resistance factors
Develop independent ideas for further research

What the module consists of

Praktikumpractical laboratory work (wet and/or dry lab) within a larger research project
Projektarbeit/Dissertationwritten elaboration in the form of a scientific research article
Präsentation15-minute presentation + 5 minutes of questions for communicating the research

Teaching method

Einführung und Training durch Laborteamonboarding in the lab and methods
Individuelle Arbeit und Teamarbeitexecution of the project and development of problem-solving skills
Problem-Solving, Versuchsplanung und Datenanalysedevelopment of scientific working methods and interpretation of results

What you should already know

Bachelor in molecular biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry or related fieldsrecommended

Assessment

Lab workProject workSchriftliche DissertationPresentation

Performance is assessed as a laboratory performance. The grade consists of: 40% laboratory activity and behavior in the lab (partly supervised, partly independent) and 50% of the written Internship-Report-Dissertation (scientific work in a prescribed structure: Title, Abstract, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion). For the dissertation there is a strict word limit of 6000 words (+10%), excluding figures and references. The dissertation is evaluated among other things after Abstract, Introduction, Methods, quality and presentation of results, data handling, Discussion, suggestions for future work, references and written expression. Additionally 10% of the overall grade comes from the 15-minute presentation (+5 minutes of questions), assessed by context, clarity, structure, presentation/visuals, and conclusions and answering questions. The module is passed with at least 40 out of 100 points.

Reading list

Gerner RR et al. - Siderophore Immunization Restricted Colonization of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli and Ameliorated Experimental Colitis. mBio. 2022.
Gerner RR, Nuccio SP, Raffatellu M. - Iron at the host-microbe interface. Mol Aspects Med. 2020.
Tilg H et al. - The Intestinal Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Cell. 2018.
Walker GT et al. - Murine Models of Salmonella Infection. Curr Protoc. 2023.
Moschen AR et al. - Lipocalin 2 Protects from Inflammation and Tumorigenesis Associated with Gut Microbiota Alterations. Cell Host Microbe. 2016.

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Research Project on Microbiota-Associated Pathobionts

What it is about

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What the module consists of

Teaching method

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