Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology

Open Position(s)

We regularly look for talented candidates for bachelor and master theses. Please contact us for further information.

We currently seek for a talented

PhD student

to pursue a DFG-funded project at the cross-junction of plant biology and human immunology. The project deals with the functional analysis of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor/D-Dopachrome Tautomerase (MIF/D-DT)-like (MDL) plant proteins. These MDL proteins are orthologs of human MIF, which is a chemokine and key regulator of human immunomodulatory activities. Plant MDL proteins are poorly characterized to date, and in tight collaboration with the Bernhagen lab at the LMU Munich we aim to study their functions using a cross-kingdom approach (see references below). The PhD position is funded for three years at the level of a TVöD 65% E13 position. We expect a Master´s degree in biology or a related subject, good knowledge in (plant) genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry, and the willingness to engage actively in the collaborative project across universities. Please send your application (letter of motivation, CV, and certificates) to panstruga@bio1.rwth-aachen.de by 31^st March 2025 at the very latest.

 

Figure: The human chemokine MIF and its plant homolog MDL (depicted as crystal structures) regulate host immunity in humans (left) and Arabidopsis thaliana (right), respectively. https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/science/072221/a-
collaboration-to-study-host-immunity-in-plants-a

 

Key references:

Spiller et al. 2023. Plant MDL proteins synergize with the cytokine MIF at CXCR2 and CXCR4 receptors in human cells. Science Signaling 16: eadg2621

Gruner et al. 2021. Chemokine-like MDL proteins modulate flowering time and innate immunity in plants. Journal of Biological Chemistry 296: 100611.

Sinitski et al. 2020. Cross-kingdom mimicry of the receptor signaling and leukocyte recruitment activity of a human cytokine by its plant orthologs. Journal of Biological Chemistry 295: 850-867.