Modules

In the course of the module the students will aquire deepened molecular knowledge of the interplay between pathogens and host defense, immunological diseases and pharmacological approaches to interfere with various disorders. The graduates know current immunological questions and methods, and are able to explain the mechanism and therapy of related diseases. They know the function and regulation of microbial virulence factors and understand their role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. In addition, they have extensive insight into the taxonomy and structure of viruses. The graduates know the principles of pharmacological research and current therapeutic strategies. They can apply concepts of pharmacology to practical examples and name effects of selected toxic substances. The graduates have the ability to work under supervision on a small defined scientific project using experimental methods of the field, and to analyze and interpret the obtained data. They are able to present and discuss them in written form similar to a scientific publication.

Person responsible for module: Prof. Dr. Holger Reichardt

After successfully finishing this module the students should be familiar with molecular processes within the cell and corresponding aspects associated with pathological changes and pathological tissues. They are able to describe qualitatively genetic and metabolic diseases as well as inflammatory and cancerous processes. The students are familiar with tools, concepts and methods of cell biology, pathology, human genetics and mol. & experim. oncology and thus are able to describe causes and consequences of changes within genetic and cellular processes by using typical examples. Furthermore, fundamental mechanisms in pathology, genetics and cell biology are deduced including scientific paper discussions. In addition, under qualified supervision students acquire the ability to perform experimental work within the lab covering a clear cut topic or highly sophisticated method. The results of this practical course will be presented within the corresponding scientific group and written down in corresponding scientific style.

Person responsible for module: Prof. Dr. Dieter Kube

After successfully finishing this module the students should be familiar with molecular aspects of urological diseases including urological tumors and prostate cancer and with mechanisms playing a role in different kidney diseases like polycystic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy as well as with mechanisms leading to renal fibrosis. Moreover, the students should be familiar with mechanisms playing a role in neurodegenerative diseases resulting from protein misfolding like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and other prionopathies. Understanding molecular mechanisms of motor neuronal diseases, cerebral vascular diseases and neuronal autoimmune diseases is a further goal of this module. In molecular cardiology the student become familiar with mechanisms of different forms of heart failure, mechanisms of arrhythmia and myocarditis and the role of stem cells in tissue regeneration. In pharmacology, this knowledge is supplemented with pharmacotherapeutic strategies in the treatment of hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmia, the metabolic syndrome and of thromboembolic events. An outlook on potential future therapies of cardiovascular diseases is given including gene therapy, stem-cell based therapies and tissue engineering. The students have the ability to work under supervision on a small defined scientific project using experimental methods, and to analyze and interpret the obtained data. They are able to present their results in a seminar, and to discuss and document them in written form similar to a scientific publication.

Person responsible for module: Prof. Dr. Susanne Lutz

After completion of the module, the participant is capable of communicating his own scientific projects to a broader audience of scientists. Furthermore, she/he is capable of introducing such an audience to a general topic of molecular medicine. She/He can summarize primary scientific literature and review articles in an overview talk. The participants will be capable of following seminar talks about a topic that they are not immediately familiar with. They are asking meaningful questions and have become able to discuss methodological approaches and scientific conclusions in a critical and constructive manner.

Person responsible for module: Prof. Dr. Matthias Dobbelstein

With the written Master thesis, the candidate should prove that he or she is able to
process a problem using scientific methods within the time frame of 6 months, develop an independent,
scientifically established judgement, arrive at scientifically underpinned statements and
illustrate the results in a linguistically as well as formally appropriate manner.