The Institute of Infectious Diseases at the University of Bern is responsible for teaching and research as well as diagnostic microbiology in the fields of virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and serological infection testing. It is thus the only university institute in Switzerland to unite all specialized microbiological disciplines in the field of clinical microbiology under one roof.
Research Focus:
Obesity and diabetes, both rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide, have a tremendous medical and socio-economic impact. Both are multifactorial in their etiology, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Obesity and Diabetes also share the characteristic of a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, that indicates that altered metabolism may alter the immune system. The gut microbiota, and microbial metabolites in particular, have been described to play an important role in disease development. However, the underlying mechanisms are still ill-defined.
In our lab we will apply innovative gnotobiotic, metagenomic and metabolomic approaches to advance our mechanistic understanding of the complex pathophysiologic interplay between gut microbiota, metabolism and inflammation driving obesity and diabetes, with the ultimate goal to inspire novel and innovative strategies for prevention and therapy of these important diseases.
Postdoc project available:
Woundomics: Understanding the Microbiota-Immune-Axis in Diet-Induced Obesity
The mechanisms leading to immune dysfunction and increased infections (e.g. wound infections) in obesity and diabetes are unclear and the main focus of this project. We use gnotobiotic animal models and characterize the metabolic wound microenvironment in skin infections to understand how the pathogen-immune interaction is disturbed in obesity and diabetes. We will further validate our findings in a human cohort of obese patients, suffering from chronic wound infections. The animal model has already been established in our lab and is ready to use.
You have the chance to learn how to work with gnotobiotic animals, characterize a skin infection model in mice, learn to study immunometabolism ex vivo and in vitro, metabolomics, RNA-sequencing, transposon-sequencing and much more.
Our commitment:
The lab wishes to create best possible conditions for young talents to network, be creative and develop their own ideas. You will be able to interact and train with highly skilled experts in the fields of immunology, cell biology, metabolism and microbiology. Our lab strives to having members with a diversity of backgrounds and identities. We strongly believe that diversity and interdisciplinarity fosters creativity and excellence and it is our priority to make all group members feel welcome, respected and supported.
The Microbiota-Immunometabolism-Lab offers a fully-funded Postdoc position for 18 months to work in our interdisciplinary team starting in November 2024 or flexible.
We are looking for a reliable, motivated and skilled person with a strong interest in immunology, microbiology and/or metabolism. Training and experience in work with laboratory animals (LTK1) is a prerequisite. Applicants should be fluent in English.
Please send your full application consisting of a motivation letter, CV and grades from your PhD
by email to: maria.balmer@unibe.ch