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Pharmacological Targets in Pathophysiological Mechanisms

Academic Research Opportunity

A research internship identifying pharmacological targets and TRP-channel mechanisms in lung, endothelial, and inflammatory disease models. The official project (RG Dietrich, 'Identification of pharmacological target structures in pathophysiological mechanisms') is hosted at the Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology: 'In our research group for Experimental Pharmacotherapy we focus on the identification of pharmacological targets in pathophysiological mechanisms. In the future, we would like to activate or inhibit these targets in animal models and in patients. We are using gene-deficient or knock-out mouse models with deleted genes of interest to understand physiological and pathophysiological functions of different target proteins in the organism.' The TRP-channel sub-projects cover lung macrophages, differentiation of the tracheal epithelium, production and recycling of lung surfactant, sensors for cigarette smoke extract and particulate matter, and the endothelial barrier in the lung.

Program

Organizers: LMU Munich Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Host: LMU Munich Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Timeframe: 2026/2027 module cycle: the research module begins at the end of the second semester (2026) and ends with the submission of performance documents in June of the following year (in the fourth semester, June 2027). The research work itself totals at least 160 hours. (Workload: At least 160 hours of research work in total (approx. 8 hours/day over 4 weeks if completed as a full-time block); scheduling is flexible - it can be done during the winter break or during the semester)
Locations: Europe, Germany, Munich
Study Areas: Experimental pharmacotherapy, Ion channel biology, Pharmacology, Toxicology
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Application

Deadline:
  • June 21, 2026
Criteria: Eligibility: The research module offers medical students the opportunity to work independently on research projects at an early stage, with no predetermined outcomes. (General Information page) - 'Experience medical research first-hand in the pre-clinical phase.' (program hub); the module begins at the end of the second semester and ends with submission of performance documents in June of the following year (in the fourth semester), i.e. LMU human medicine students in the pre-clinical phase. Prerequisites: None stated - no prior laboratory experience or special skills required; the research groups explicitly supervise students without laboratory experience (students must be enrolled in LMU human medicine in the pre-clinical phase) Selection process: Applications are sent by email to forschungsmodul-medizin@med.lmu.de during the application period (May 1 - June 21, 2026). In July, students register online for a project of their choice in the booking system (the link is received in July), where they can see which working groups still have places available. After reserving a place, students send their CV and a letter of motivation tailored to the working group. Confirmation of the internship place by the working group can take up to August and is usually accompanied by an introductory interview. If the number of applications significantly exceeds the available spots, a centralized matching tool is used to assign the most suitable and best-matched students to each working group.
Required Degree: Bachelor
Target Degree: Doctorate
Required Documents:
  1. Resume (CV)
  2. General letter of motivation (max. 1 page) including details of your five preferred research laboratories/working groups
  3. Enrollment number and campus email address
  4. After reserving a place in the booking system: CV and a letter of motivation tailored to the working group
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Costs & Contact

Cost: Not specified — contact host
Contact: Project inquiries (Dietrich Lab, Experimental Pharmacotherapy): Prof. Dr. Alexander Dietrich - alexander.dietrich@lrz.uni-muenchen.de, Tel. +49 89 2180 73802; Applications (Forschungsmodul Medizin coordination): forschungsmodul-medizin@med.lmu.de
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