Master thesis position in Ovarian Cancer Early Development

AG Kessler
Analysis of stemness regulation and hormone response in TP53 edited fallopian tube organoids.

The Kessler Lab at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (LMU University Hospital) is looking for a highly motivated and skilled master's student to join our project investigating the effects of loss of function in TP53 on cellular homeostasis and hormone response in fallopian tube organoids.
High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, due to the late detection and therapy resistance-driven high recurrence rate. Accumulated clinical and scientific data provides ample evidence that HGSOC develops by transformation of the fallopian tube epithelium, with TP53 being the key driver gene as different TP53 mutations are found in ~96% of ovarian cancer cases. To date, no early biomarkers have been found that could help timely identification of premalignant stages of the disease. The group has long-standing experience and expertise in ovarian cancer biology and the establishment of patient-derived organoid (PDO) models in gynecological oncology and pioneered human fallopian tube organoid culture (Trillsch et al 2023, Hoffmann et al., EMBO journal 2020, Kessler et al., Nature Communications 2015 and 2019).

Project goals

Phenotypic characterization of the TP53 edited (CRISPR/Cas9) fallopian tube organoid line. Perform comprehensive analysis of the cellular composition, epithelial architecture, and differentiation changes by confocal imaging, FACS, and measurement of gene expression /protein level changes. Stimulation experiments with estradiol will be performed to assess the cross-talk between TP53 and hormonal response and focus on the identification of cellular changes that could benefit transformation in comparison to the response of isogenic of wt control organoids. As a member of our interdisciplinary research team, you will get the opportunity to obtain training and gain experience in PDO cell culture models and molecular biology techniques required for work with organoids (cultivation, clonal expansion, multiwell assays, imaging). You will also help in data analysis, obtain a theoretical background in adult stem cell biology and molecular oncology, and deepen your understanding of cellular mechanisms that drive carcinogenesis.

Start

As soon as possible, summer semester (2025).
Interested students of Biology, Biochemistry, or related subjects should send an application including a motivation letter, CV, and transcript of records by mail to Dr. Mirjana Kessler (Mirjana.Kessler@med.uni-muenchen.de)