Signaling Mechanisms in Cellular Homeostasis

The doctoral program Signaling mechanisms in cellular homeostasis focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms by which organisms regulate the turnover of tissues, cells and biomolecules. During organismal and tissue development and throughout the lifetime of an organism damaged cells and biomolecules inside the cells have to be degraded and replaced by newly produced components and cells. This process is essential both for life under normal conditions and for cell and tissue regeneration after injury, and its malfunctioning contributes to ageing and disease. Homeostasis is regulated by a complex network of signaling pathways through which cells decode information from their environment and respond to changes in external and internal conditions. These signaling pathways often associated with cellular structures such as the cell membranes and the cytoskeleton, lead to the production or degradation of biomolecules. While the production of new molecules during cell and tissue turnover has been extensively studied, processes that lead to the degradation of proteins and cellular components, such as a process called autophagy (eating oneself), are less well studied and their regulation is poorly understood. Research in this doctoral program will investigate signaling mechanisms regulating the turnover of biomolecules in cell free systems as well as in cells and mice, and will analyze in detail the molecular mechanisms of autophagy at different levels, ranging from the understanding of the atomic structure of signaling molecules, to the biochemical analyses of interactions of signaling molecules and components of the autophagy process, to the development of bioinformatic approaches and mathematical modeling to interpret data sets obtained in these analyses. Besides the high scientific profile of both the projects and PhD supervisors, the multidisciplinarity of the program is an important added value, through which the students will learn how a common scientific objective understanding the turnover of biomolecules - is studied from different angles using a wide range of technologies and scientific approaches, in order to most efficiently tackle the open scientific questions. The Faculty represents a range of disciplines, from structural biology to biochemistry, genetics and cell biology and to bioinformatics and mathematical modeling. Being exposed to, and trained in, these diverse disciplines will encourage in the students an attitude of multidisciplinary thinking and enable them to obtain a broader professional profile with increased flexibility, advantageous for their scientific career. Besides offering specific training in specialized lecture series and practical workshops in these different disciplines, additional activities, such as special interest groups and discussion forums will support the students creativity and foster innovative, inquisitive thinking. Furthermore, the organization of symposia and invitation of external speakers by the students will provide them with international networking abilities and visibility, advancing they professional career.

Over the last seven years, since its inception in 2017, the FWF funded Doctoral Program (DK) "Signaling Mechanisms in Cellular Homeostasis" (SMICH) has achieved remarkable success in research and education. SMICH brings together the expertise of a diverse group of faculty members, creating an exceptional platform for PhD students to engage in groundbreaking signaling research and to receive top-tier education. In terms of research, SMICH has made significant strides in understanding key mechanisms of signaling regulated homeostasis. Our discoveries ranged from a deeper understanding of enhancer regulation, mechanisms that activate and reign in the immune system, novel regulators of stem cell state transitions, mechanisms of autophagy, unexpected twists in Akt signaling and mathematical models of cell biological behavior. These discoveries were facilitated by the collaborative environment fostered within the program. The publication record is another testament to SMICH's success, with 158 peer-reviewed papers published, including 43 first-author papers by SMICH students. This demonstrates the program's substantial contribution to the scientific community. Educationally, SMICH has excelled in training versatile and independent researchers. We offer a range of specialized training tailored to individual needs, complemented by workshops from the Vienna BioCenter PhD Program. The Basic Introductory Course (BIC), featuring lectures and advanced methods workshops, ensures that students are well-equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. SMICH's flexible approach allows students to choose from a variety of elective workshops, covering topics from advanced microscopy to mathematical modeling. The development of students' communication skills and project development is further enhanced through weekly Work in Progress meetings. These provide students with the opportunity to present their research and to receive feedback on presentation and scientific input into the project. The program's emphasis on international networking is another key success, with students having participated in over 80 international conferences and workshops. This exposure not only enhances their global visibility but also fosters valuable collaboration opportunities. Career support is a cornerstone of the SMICH program. The comprehensive series of career development workshops covers essential topics such as career planning, understanding the job market, writing effective CVs and cover letters, honing interview techniques and giving effective presentations. Additionally, the establishment of a campus-wide alumni platform facilitates ongoing exchanges between current students, faculty, and alumni, further enhancing career development and networking opportunities. Overall, the SMICH PhD program has achieved its ambitious research and educational goals, producing high-caliber researchers who are well-prepared to contribute to the scientific community and society. The program's structure, collaborative environment, and comprehensive training have ensured its graduates are ready to tackle future scientific challenges and are well-equipped to take on roles in scientific leadership.