Our group investigates eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract; to uncover pleiotropic roles in health and disease

Our group investigates eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract; to uncover pleiotropic roles in health and disease

Master Thesis Topics Biomedicine

(Alphabetically sorted by supervisor name)

Mucosal immunology of the gastrointestinal tract Short description

Our group is interested in understanding how eosinophils, a highly abundant cellular subset residing in the gastrointestinal tract – control the balance between intestinal homeostasis and inflammation and contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. We are using a combination of experimental disease models, patient cohorts, sequencing, flow-cytometry and microscopy techniques - together with new tools specifically targeting the eosinophil lineage - to investigate the mechanisms driving the pleiotropic activities of these cells in intestinal health and disease. Keywords Eosinophils, mucosal immunology, inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer, microbiota Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone Prof. Isabelle Arnold Institute of Experimental Immunology, Mucosal Immunology Group arnold@immunology.uzh.ch 0446353730 Conditions Candidates are expected to show strong commitment and motivation, and to have a solid understanding of basic immunology. Candidates should further be ready to work with mice. Links https://www.immunology.uzh.ch/en/researchunit/mucosalimmunology/ research.html

Microbes in Health and Forensics Short description

Our projects focus on the investigation of microbial genetic diversity for applications in the clinic and in forensics. On the one hand, examing the genetic diversity of pathogenic bacterial strains data has the potential to improve our epidemiological understanding. On the other hand, microbial community profiling is a valuable tool in the study of diseases and also in the characterisation of body sites and individuals. This characterisation is promising for application to forensic body fluid and individual identification. Keywords microbiome, forensic body fluid identification, epidemiology, bacterial communities, next-generation sequencing Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone Dr. Natasha Arora Institute of Forensic Medicine, IRM/Forensic Genetics natasha.arora@irm.uzh.ch 044 635 60 70 Conditions none Links https://www.irm.uzh.ch/de/forschung/genetik/team/NArora.html

Pathomechanisms of ciliopathies Short description

Ciliopathies are a group of human disorders caused by dysfunction of primary cilia, ubiquitous organelles found on the surface of most vertebrate cells where they transduce a variety of signals to the cell, including sensory signals (light in photoreceptors), chemical and mechanical signals (kidney tubules) and signaling pathways during development and cell homeostasis (Hedgehog, Wnt). Various master projects are available to elucidate the role of primary cilia and the function of ciliopathy genes, relying on zebrafish and/or iPSC-based models and applying modern techniques such as CRISPR gene editing, live imaging and -omics approaches. Keywords primary cilia, zebrafish, iPSC, organoids, genetics Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone Prof. Dr. med. Ruxandra Bachmann Institute of Medical Genetics ruxandra.bachmann@mls.uzh.ch 044 556 33 11 Conditions interest in genetics, development and molecular biology Links https://www.medgen.uzh.ch/en/forschung/gagescu.html

Molecular mechanisms of pediatric brain tumor cell migration and tissue infiltration Short description

Oncogenic growth, tissue invasion and tumor progression are driven by molecular mechanisms that alter normal cell functions. The objective of our lab’s research activities is to unravel, understand and target molecular mechanisms that control motility and tissue invasion of the pediatric brain tumor medulloblastoma. Using biochemical, cell biological and a range of fixed and live-cell imaging approaches, we determine at the molecular and cellular levels how cells migrate and invade. Based on this, we use computer-assisted drug discovery and evaluation methods for identifying and validating novel treatment approaches. Keywords Medulloblastoma, molecular mechanisms of cell motility regulation, 3D- tissue models for medulloblastoma, live-cell imaging and morphological screening, drug development Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone Prof. Dr. Martin Baumgartner University Children’s Hospital Zürich, Oncology Martin.Baumgartner@kispi.uzh.ch 044 266 37 30 Conditions Highly motivated, having a specific interest in one or several lab’s research activities Links https://pediatric-molecular-neurooncology.ch/

Immunology: Inflammation Research Short description

For the complex immune system to work, the individual cell types have not only specialized functions, but also a complex communication network. Cytokines are soluble factors with the capacity to serve as signals for the communication (or words in the complex language) between immune cells. Our goal is to uncover this communication network and to translate the language of the immune system. Our research aims to understand the development of tissue-specific inflammation in particular in the context of interactions of the nervous system with the immune system. Related to our studies of autoimmunity (an undesired process) we expanded our interest to apply our tool-set and expertise to study the impact of immunity to combat cancer (a desired process). Our main research interests can be categorized as such: • Cytokine networks in chronic inflammatory disease with a focus on multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, graft-versus host disease in preclinical mouse models and human patients • Cancer-immunotherapy: specifically, the interaction of immune cells with cancer cells and therapeutic interventions to mount immune responses against tumors We offer several MSc positions on various projects in the research team Keywords Cytokines, lymphocytes, single cell technologies, transgenic mice, chronic inflammation Supervisor Institute

E-mail Phone Prof. Dr. Burkhard Becher University of Zurich, Institute of Experimental Immunology, Inflammation Research becher@immunology.uzh.ch 044 635 37 03 Conditions Solid understanding of basic immunology. Good communication skills. Some understanding of computational biology (e.g. R) Interest to work in a highly motivated and team-oriented research environment Links http://www.immunology.uzh.ch/

Evolution of human diet and body composition Short description

Nutrition and obesity are major topics in medicine and research. We explore insights on the evolution of human nutrition and the propensity for human obesity by studying modern data on human diet and body composition. We use data from published studies or large cohort data on the one hand, and collect own data on the other hand. We use food questionnaires, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and 3D body scanner, to collect data on nutrition, body composition, and body form of healthy and diseased human populations. Keywords Evolutionary Medicine, Nutrition, Obesity, Body composition, Diet Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone PD Dr. Dr. med. Nicole Bender Institute of Evolutionary Medicine nicole.bender@iem.uzh.ch 044 635 05 31 Conditions None Links https://www.iem.uzh.ch/en/research/clinical_evolutionary_medicine_group_bender.html

Hematologic malignancies Short description

Different MSc projects are available in the leukemia research group at the University Children’s Hospital Zurich. Projects will deal with different aspects of drug resistance in childhood acute leukemia. One project will address the role of an alternative cell death mechanism, necroptosis, in the resensitization of resistant leukemia cells to steroids. We have furthermore developed a platform to analyze the antileukemic potential of new agents in primary leukemia cells from highly drug- resistant patients. This project will deal with the analysis and characterization of the hereby identified new antileukemic agents also with respect to their activity in combination with current chemotherapy. Keywords

Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone Dr. Beat Bornhauser Dept of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital beat.bornhauser@kispi.uzh.ch 044 634 88 17 Conditions Commitment and motivation Links https://www.kispi.uzh.ch/forschungszentrum/forschungsgebiete/onkologie/leukaemie

Gut microbiota as a modulator of tumor immunity

Short description

Changes in gut microbiota are associated with several diseases, including cancer. Tumor cells are known to carry altered cell-surface glycosylation that is associated with cancer progression. Mucin-degrading bacteria present in gut microbiota seems to define the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients. Our preliminary data indicate a direct correlation between the presence of a commensal gut bacteria and the tumor growth control. The aim of this project is to define the role of a specific commensal mucin- degrading bacteria during tumorigenesis. We will use cell culture, co-culture techniques, flow cytometry, real-type PCR and established in vivo models to define the glycan-based mechanisms leading to tumor growth control with immune-checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

Keywords carcinoma mucins, glycosidases, immunomodulation Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone Prof. Dr. Lubor Borsig Institute of Physiology lborsig@access.uzh.ch 044 635 51 34 Conditions Seeking a motivated student with basic knowledge of immunology. The project may include mouse models. Links https://www.physiol.uzh.ch/en/research/departmentgroups/grborsig.html

Endothelium as the facilitator of metastasis

Short description

Tumor microenvironment drives tumorigenesis and metastasis, which is defined by immune cell infiltration. Activation of endothelial cells during tumorigenesis and metastasis is an essential step in cancer progression. This project aims to understand the role of endothelium during metastasis, particularly in modulation of the immune compartment. We use cell co- culture techniques, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy to delineate the contributions of tumor, endothelial and immune cells to metastasis. The focus is on two distinct receptors identified in RNA- sequencing screen of endothelial cells from metastatic foci.

Keywords tumor inflammation, myeloid cells, activated endothelium Supervisor Institute E-mail Phone Prof. Dr. Lubor Borsig Institute of Physiology lborsig@access.uzh.ch 044 635 51 34 Conditions Seeking a motivated student. The project may include mouse models. Links https://www.physiol.uzh.ch/en/research/departmentgroups/grborsig.html

Modulation of immune responses by cytokines Short description

We are interested in the function of cytokines in the immune system during health and disease. We study how cytokines coordinate immune homeostasis and responses, and how they affect various immune cells in different models of cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune disease, as well as allograft rejection. To this end, we develop and characterize natural versus modified cytokine formulations, including cytokine/anti-cytokine antibody complexes, in order to better understand cytokine biology and improve cytokine-mediated immunotherapy. Keywords cytokine biology, cytokine engineering, autoimmunity, transplantation, tumor immunotherapy Supervisor Institute E-Mail Phone Prof. Dr. Onur Boyman Dept. of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich onur.boyman@usz.ch +41 44 255 20 69 Conditions none Links http://www.boymanlab.com

Cognitive neuroscience in childhood and adolescence Short description

Our research group examines cognitive brain networks and their d