·   Programs

In the following only our three annual PhD programs are briefly introduced. For all other programs (Research Training Groups = GRKs, Master programs and StrucMed), please click on the link of the respective program on the scrollbar to the left. 

Hannover Medical School offers an international english PhD program in Molecular Medicine (former MD/PhD program) in cooperation with the Leibniz University of Hannover, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, and the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig. The program was funded within an international PhD-project (IPP) by the Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst und Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DAAD/DFG) from 2002 to 2006, and is now supported through funds of the German Excellence Initiative (BMBF). The program was accreditated as the first German PhD program according to European standards (ECTS) in December 2003.

The PhD program "Molecular Medicine" is part of the Hannover Biomedical Research School. The program aims for students of medicine, after finishing their MD studies, as well as for graduated students of life sciences, who have finished their master of science, particularly in biology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Start of the program is annually in October. Deadline for applications is April 1st.

The program can be finished with a PhD or Dr.rer.nat. (for life scientists). All students work in individually supervised research projects. It is an international English program with students from all over the world. Stipends are offered. Language courses are available. There are tutorials and methodological seminars in small groups. The dissertation project will be supervised by a group of supervisors. There are also cultural tutorials.

The theoretical part of the program comprises of English seminars in small groups and respective tutorials on selective topics of cellular and molecular biology. In addition, seminars are offered to specific research topics of molecular medicine.

The training for students of medicine will deepen their background of biomedical sciences. Scientists will understand medical and pathogenetic interrelationships. In addition, there is training and supervision particularly within the selected research projects. The dissertation is supervised by a group of three excellent scientists. Within that project the PhD students work independently on highly competitive and grant funded research projects. The results of this work will be presented and discussed in respective seminars and workshops.

Seminars, courses and research projects are offered in following areas:

" Cellbiology " Genetics " Immunology " Infection biology " Molecular pathology " Developmental biology" Biochemistry 

All obligatory seminars and courses of the PhD program are offered in English. The program "Molecular Medicine" has an international character with students coming from all over the world.

Starting Fall 2003, the international PhD Program Infection Biology was launched. The 3-year program, with English as the teaching language, plays a pivotal role in the training of young scientists in the field of infection biology. The program's objective is to investigate the complex interactions between host and pathogen as well as basic research with the combined tools of immunology, cell biology and molecular biology.

20 students from across the world are accepted each year after a rigorous selection procedure.  The study program is supported by the Wilhelm-Hirte Foundation, by scholarships provided by Hannover Medical School and through Georg-Christoph-Lichtenberg scholarships and administrative positions by the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony. Since Fall 2004 the European Union participates in sponsoring PhD students via the elite program "Miditrain" which is funded by the EU "Marie Curie Actions" program.

60 students enrolled in the PhD Program work on a three-year research project and attend seminars, congresses, as well as lab courses.  Students are encouraged and supported by a network of supervisors and support teams and finish the program after the PhD examination at the end of the third year as highly qualified scientists.

All students enroled in the PhD program Infection Biology automatically become part of two research schools: the Hannover Biomedical Research School (HBRS) and the Helmholtz International Research School for Infection Biology (HIRSIB).

Chairman

Prof. Dr. Reinhold Förster  

Institute for Immunology

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1

D-30625 Hannover

Tel: +49-511-532-9721

Fax: +49-511-532-9722

Email: foerster.reinholdmh-hannover.de    

Coordination

Dr. Sabine Johann and

Luise Kazda

ZIB at the Institute for Immunology

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1

D-30625 Hannover

Tel: +49-511-532-9742

Fax: +49-511-532-9722 

Email: zibmh-hannover.de

ZIB Executive Committee

Prof. Dr. Reinhold Förster

Prof. Dr. Hansjörg Hauser

Prof. Dr. Susanne Häußler 

Prof. Dr. Georg Herrler

Prof. Dr. Christine Josenhans

Prof. Dr. Reinhold Schmidt

Prof. Dr. Thomas F. Schulz

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Suerbaum

Prof. Dr. Peter Valentin-Weigand

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Wehland

A novel PhD Program "Regenerative Sciences"  started in October 2007. This programme is designed and implemented by the Cluster of Excellence "From Regenerative Biology to Reconstructive Therapy" REBIRTH. This PhD study course is designed for students with an M.Sc. or equivalent diploma in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Engineers (e.g. Bioengineering) are welcome to apply as well.

The PhD program “Regenerative sciences” involves the partners of REBIRTH.

The 3-years curriculum is interdisciplinary and covers the following subjects:

Developmental biology: Principles of vertebrate and non-vertebrate development, embryogenesis and foetal period (focus on inner organs); genetic and epigenetic principles of development; model organisms; transgenic models (gain of function and loss of function); tissue specific transgenesis.

Stem cell biology: stem cell definition and classification (embryonic, foetal, germ cells, adult); normal and malignant stem cells; signal biology of self-renewal and differentiation (focus on heart, lung, liver, blood); stem cell purification and culture; genetic modification of stem cells (transient, semipermanent, stable); homing, migration and engraftment.

Ageing and degeneration: telomere biology, oxidative stress, somatic mutations; physical stress; inflammation; cancer; genetic determinants of life expectancy in model organisms; stem cell biology in aged organisms.

Inflammation: acute and chronic inflammation; inflammation and organ repair; inflammatory signals and (stem) cell biology; fibrosis.

Tumour biology: mechanisms of tumourigenesis; oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes; complementary mutations; loss of heterozygosity; induction and promotion; genetic and epigenetic stability, tumour immunity.

Transplantation (focus on heart, lung, liver, blood): rationale and need; organ availability; strategies (autologous, allogeneic, xenogeneic); transplant immunology (host versus graft and graft versus host); prosthetics; supportive care.

Materials sciences: biomaterials in medicine; classes of materials; materials engineering and functionalisation; biocompatibility; integration.

Growth factors and their receptors: regulation of cell survival, migration and apoptosis by ligands; soluble versus membrane-bound principles; gradients; clinical use of growth factors.

Cell therapy: forms and applications; cell sources; cell purification and processing; cell modification (genetic, epigenetic, via DNA, RNA, proteins and chemicals).Tissue engineering: principles and practice; the interdisciplinary basis of tissue engineering; integrating materials sciences and cell biology; quality and quantity issues; process development.

Process development and Good Practice: The three forms of Good Practice: clinical (GCP), manufacturing (GMP) and laboratory (GLP); rules and regulations; standard operating procedures (design, conduct, documentation); quality control; audits and reporting; upscaling and tuning of processes.

Risk assessment: biodistribution; horizontal and vertical transmission; complications of regenerative agents; complications of cell therapy and tissue engineering; proactive pharmacovigilance; design of preclinical models.

Clinical trials: design and conduct, informed consent contents and language, insurance.Regulatory and industry interactions: from basic research over process development to clinical trials; integrative and proactive communication with regulatory boards and industry.

Societal relations and ethical issues: principles of research ethics; history of regenerative medicine; “therapeutic” and reproductive cloning; cultural differences; health and economy and further societal issues; dialogue with patient organisations and the public.

Practical courses: These will be organised by REBIRTH’s service units or other key laboratories.