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HIV Molecular Research
(5/5) - 2 reviews
University Hospital Düsseldorf
Applications are open for Spring 2025
Main Areas of Interest
The main research areas of our group are:
- Molecular basis of HIV inhibition by cellular restriction factors
- Molecular basis of cellular permissiveness or repression of lentiviral cross-species transmission
- Development of a new HIV animal model
A few publications:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022283617301195?via%3Dihub
Techniques You Will Learn
Experimental techniques you will learn during your program here:
- Generation of retroviral and lentiviral vector particles
- Analysis of viral gene transfer, measure infectivity of HIV particles
- Luciferase quantification
- Viral assays under BSL-2 conditions
- Study expression of proteins by immunoblots, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry
- Study expression of cellular and viral RNAs by quantitative RT-PCR
- Study protein-protein interaction by co-immunoprecipitation, cross-links and density gradients
- Isolation of virus particles
- Molecular cloning of cDNAs into viral and non-viral expression systems
- Expression in human cells and bacterial cells
- Protein isolation methods
- Generation of mutations/deletions/exchanges in viral genes and cellular genes in expression systems
- CRISPR-CAS9 knock-out of genes
Curriculum
6-12 weeks curriculum
Fellows will be supported to settle down into their new environment (find appropriate accommodation, locate amenities, etc.) and register at the University, during which an ID card will be issued. A desk space will be allocated. Full induction (safety, laboratory practices, personal welfare, etc.) will be provided by the University’s designated staff and by myself. I will arrange an initial meeting with the fellow to discuss the objectives of the training and the expected mechanisms of their fulfillment. Experimental plans with realistic timelines will then be decided.
The fellow will be fully trained to run each experiment. They will then be allowed to attempt the experiment themselves, with the trainer present during their first run. They will be able to engage with me (supervisor) and other members of the laboratory to discuss any aspects of the general running of the laboratory or specific protocols that they require clarifications on. They will also be trained in how to analyze and interpret their data. I will arrange a weekly or bi-weekly meeting with the fellow to discuss and reflect on their progress and decide the next set of experiments based on data generated. A fellow must keep adequate and accurate records of their work using the laboratory book provided.
The fellow will be given the opportunity to partake in research group meetings and other academic activities within the School and the University. They will also be encouraged to present their work orally at a research group meeting at least once before they complete their visit.
Towards the end of the training, I will have a meeting with the fellow to discuss plans to publish their work (if enough data collected) or disseminate their findings in a future conference. They will also be assisted to identify existing or future opportunities, globally or within their original work environment, that the training has empowered them to be eligible and competitive for and how they can be assisted to access them and also integrate the knowledge and skills gained into their further research or professional practice roles.
All throughout the training any particular challenges or specific requests of a fellow will be fully considered to ensure a responsive, relevant and adequate training plan is developed for them.
A Representative Sample Schedule (This can be customized to your needs)
Topic: Identification of residues in APOBEC3 that regulate antiviral activity to HIV-1
Week 1:
- Introduction into Münk lab, university + hospital, Düsseldorf
- Report from visiting scientist/student about previous and ongoing work/research/education and plans
- Introduction into molecular laboratory systems for HIV research
- Introduction into cell culture
- Introduction into vector NTI sequence software
- Discussion of work plan together with directly interacting lab student/scientist
- Transfection of 293T cells to produce HIV reporter vectors, different A3s (human, rhesus, sooty, chimers hu/rhe)
- Harvest virions and producer cells, generate protein lysates from cells and pellet virions
- Infect human cells with HIV reporter viruses
- Measure luciferase activity
Week 2
- Westernblot of virions and cell-lysates
- Organizing results of infection and protein data
- Model which residues hu/rhesus A3 chimers are important for antiviral activity against HIV
- Repeat transfection, infection and western blot with selected chimers + wildtype A3s, compare HIV-1, HIV-2, SIVagm
- Introduction into side-directed mutagenesis and fusion PCR
- Plan mutations in A3 for gain of function and loss of function mutants
- Order oligonucleotides for mutation PCR
Week 3
- If possible in week 3 or 4: quantification of viral particles by reverse transcriptase assay
- Generate mutant A3s by side directed mutagenesis or fusion PCR
- Clone PCR products, transform E.coli with cloning plasmids or mutated A3 plasmid
- Screen bacterial clones, mini preparation
- Digestion of isolated DNA by restriction enzymes, agarose gels
- Send positive DNA to sequencing
Week 4
- Analyze sequence results
- Either use miniprep DNA for transfection of 293T cells or produce more DNA (midi-prep, maxi-prep)
- Test novel A3 mutants against HIV-1 and SIVagm
Week 5
- Optional: either finish unfinished work from week 1 - 4 or
- Characterization of mutations on protein features as dimerization/oligomerization, in-vitro deamination, in-vivo deamination, subcellular localization by confocal microscopy, RNA /DNA interaction (EMSA or other methods).
Week 6- 12
- Summarize all results and extend the present project or plan another project
- Maybe do left over from week 4/5
- Present all data in seminar for lab
Accommodation
For housing and other help here in Duesseldorf
Please ask the Tutor Service for International Researchers (Juno-International): juno-international@hhu.de
Good rooms maybe found here: https://www.airbnb.de/
I think the best is to talk to JUNO and compare their options to AIRBNB. On the campus plan, we are in building 23.12.
Fees and Program Logistics
This program has the following durations available:
| Duration | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $875.00 |
| 6 weeks | $1,500.00 |
| 12 weeks | $2,750.00 |
Who Can Apply
Physicians and scientists from around the world can apply
Host Details
Host Name: Prof. Carsten Muenk
Affiliation: University Hospital Düsseldorf
Address: Heinrich-Heine-University Build. 23.12-U1-87, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
Website URL: https://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/home/en/university-hospital.html
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
Onsite/On-Campus Program
Fellowship - Basic/Translational/Clinical Research Program
Germany
Application Review Deadline:
Oct 1st, 2024
Featured Reviews
Prof. Dr. Carsten Muenk took great care of me from the first day to the last day and constantly guided me to benefit from the program efficiently. He is really busy and tries to get a lot done. In my humble opinion, a post.doc who will help him with his work in the laboratory and supervise his doctoral students. I think we need someone at his level. For example, Dr. Augustin Penda, who completed his doctorate, sometimes came and supported us in our studies, and I learned a lot from him. As an Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology specialist who has been actively involved in HIV treatment for many years, I have never studied the molecular structure of the HIV virus and the molecular level of its fight against the host in such depth. Prof. Dr. Carsten Muenk took great care of me from the first day to the last day and constantly guided me to benefit from the program efficiently. I read about HIV molecular issues from many sources and had the opportunity to practice it in a highly equipped research laboratory. Prof. Dr. I would like to thank Carsten Muenk for arranging my visits to the Virology and Infectious Diseases Clinic at the university. Because I had the opportunity to get information and compare the situation regarding HIV follow-up and treatment in Turkey by talking to the team that follows 2 out of 4 HIV eradication patients in the world. For this reason, Prof. Dr. med. Torsten Feldt, Dr. med. Björn-Erik Ole Jensen and Dr. I would also like to thank Nadine Lübke. I think 6 weeks is too short for the HIV research program. I realized that effective training in this program could only be achieved through a doctoral program. So there were 5 PhD students in the department and I understood why they were working so hard. It is a training that requires a lot of effort and does not require days or nights or weekends. However, this is the only way you can recognize a difficult virus like HIV. It is not possible to conduct molecular studies on HIV everywhere, because it is very difficult to find a well-equipped research center and a laboratory with financial infrastructure. I think the most difficult part is finding a research center like the one in Düsseldorf to continue the work after you finish the program. Prof. Dr. Carsten Muenk's continued support after the program is truly a valuable mentorship. That's why I especially recommend it to those considering the program. I would also like to thank doctoral student Mirriam Mbithe Nzivo, who helped me a lot during the program and continues her friendship by keeping in touch.
I had a great experienced during my visit to HIV molecular research lab. Prof. Carsten as my mentor - he was so kind, humble and very enthusiastic to his students including me. He has taken care of me and provided many facilities that made me very comfortable. Moreover, I was surrounded by great colleagues in a very nice environment. In the part of work, I had learned so many techniques and I had an opportunity to do the lab project individually. I am so blessed to be there. Finally, the only thing that I could consider as a disadvantage in this program is some of the applicants may not get a chance to do this program due to lack of financial support - Anucha Sangwiman, Mahidol Univ. Thailand (I am okay to be contacted by future fellows)
Program Logistics and Administrative Fees
This program has the following durations available:
| Duration | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $875.00 |
| 6 weeks | $1,500.00 |
| 12 weeks | $2,750.00 |
Who Can Apply
Physicians and scientists from around the world can apply
Host Details
Host Name: Prof. Carsten Muenk
Affiliation: University Hospital Düsseldorf
Address: Heinrich-Heine-University Build. 23.12-U1-87, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
Website URL: https://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/home/en/university-hospital.html
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
Questions and Answers
Commonly asked questions about this program from the host and other attendees.
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