The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
Master Thesis in microbiology - reaction of V. vulnificus isolates to simulated human wound fluid
Background
Diseases and infections caused by contact with contaminated water or by consuming seafood, pose a problem for worldwide health care. Sea and brackish water in our coastal regions offer a diverse habitat for marine microorganisms, including potentially human pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus. Rising water temperatures have increased V. vulnificus growth rates, leading to high abundances in coastal environments and sometimes fatal infections during the summer months. Upon contact with water, even small injuries can lead to severe V. vulnificus infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Hereby, the bacteria are attracted by wound exudates.
Your Tasks
As part of the master's thesis, V. vulnificus isolates generated within the DAM project PrimePrevention (https://www.marextreme.de/en/primeprevention) will be exposed to simulated human wound fluid (SWF). Screening of the reaction of isolates exposed to SWF will be performed by a combined resazurin/crystal violet microplate assay. Exemplarily, the transcriptome of a selected isolate exposed to SWF will be analyzed.
Your Profile
- enrolled at an University
Further Information
The place of employment will be Helgoland, 27498.
Start: as soon as possible
For more information or questions regarding the project, please contact the persons listed below.
You are interested?
Please forward your applications with the standard documentation (cover letter with motivation, CV) by December 15, 2026 to: Dr Gunnar Gerdts (gunnar.gerdts@awi.de) or Dr Nina Bartlau (nina.bartlau@awi.de).
