November 2019 – Vanderbilt / Leipzig University

University Success for Three Collaborative Research Centres

11, 2019
News

[Press Release 25/11/2019, Leipzig University 234/2019 by Carsten Heckmann / Photo: Leipzig University, Swen Reichhold] Further boost for top-level research at Leipzig University: New Collaborative Research Centre gets go-ahead and two more are extended. The University’s new Collaborative Research Centre (CRC), “Structural Dynamics of GPCR Activation and Signal Transduction”, will focus on how cells communicate via important receptors. Its spokesperson will be Professor Annette G. Beck-Sickinger. Applications for a second funding period were also successful for the projects “Arctic Climate Change (AC)³” (spokesperson: Professor Manfred Wendisch, Leipzig Institute for Meteorology) and “Processes of Spatialization under the Global Condition” (spokesperson: Professor Matthias Middell, head of Leipzig University’s Centre for Area Studies). Brief

Dr. Torben Schiffner: HIV vaccine development using rational protein design

11, 2019
Events

December 19, 2019; 12:30: Talk at the at Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology – IZI Abstract: Despite decades of intensive research, a vaccine capable of protecting against HIV-1 infection remains elusive. The immuno-evasion strategies employed by the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein have been a significant challenge to progress in the field. However, antibodies capable of neutralizing most circulating HIV-1 strains have been isolated from infected patients, thus providing templates for vaccine development. In this seminar, approaches will be discussed that utilize rational protein design to develop immunogens which specifically activate B cells from broadly neutralizing antibody lineages, which may lead to the development of a prophylactic HIV vaccine. Contact: Prof.

Call 2020: Offering research internship for Students on Bachelor- or Master level

11, 2019
News, Research

The Max Kade Foundation (MKF, www.maxkadefoundation.org) supports an international research exchange between Vanderbilt and Leipzig Universities. Specifically, MKF provides funds of three‐four undergraduate students from each university to conduct a 10 week summer internship at the respective partner university. Travel costs and a weekly stipend are provided. They target rising junior and rising senior students at Vanderbilt University. To select the recipients of the stipend, we collect research project descriptions from around twenty core laboratories that support the collaboration between Vanderbilt and Leipzig Universities. Descriptions are provided by the graduate student or post‐doctoral mentor who will advise the undergraduate student. It is encouraged that the undergraduate student conducts research on the