THESES AND OPEN POSITIONS

Master's thesis to be awarded at the Institute of Microbiology in collaboration with the Institute of Respiratory Gas Analysis at the University of Innsbruck on the topic:

Investigation of the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride 

Project description
Trichoderma atroviride is a filamentous fungus that is capable of parasitizing and killing pathogenic fungi on crops (mycoparasitism). T. atroviride can also interact with plants, promoting their growth and resistance to abiotic stress factors and activating the plant immune system. Due to these versatile abilities, T. atroviride is increasingly being used as a biological plant protection agent in agriculture.
In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that secondary metabolites in particular play a role in combating plant-pathogenic fungi and in plant strengthening by T. atroviride. Volatile organic compounds play an important role, especially at the beginning of this complex interspecies interaction. However, their mechanisms of action and composition have hardly been researched to date.
The aim of this master's thesis is to investigate the production of various volatile organic compounds by the mycoparasitic fungus T. atroviride and its mutants in pure culture, as well as in host-induced conditions in direct contact with various phytopathogenic fungi. 
The thesis combines microbiological cultivation experiments with chemical analyses. The microbiological work, such as the cultivation of the fungi and the biological evaluation of the data, will be carried out at the Institute of Microbiology, while the analysis of the volatile substances by mass spectrometric analyses (PTR-TOF-MS = proton transfer reaction – time-of-flight mass spectrometry, GC-IMS = gas chromatography – ion mobility spectrometry) and the evaluation of the chemical data are carried out at the Institute for Respiratory Gas Analysis. 

Requirements
This master's thesis is aimed at advanced, motivated master's students in microbiology or chemistry with an interest in interdisciplinary research. A willingness to work independently, as well as accuracy and diligence, are required.

Master's thesis to be awarded at the the Institute of Breath Research at the University of Innsbruck on the topic:

Method development and validation for determining the concentration of anesthetic gases in small animal veterinary practices

Project description
Halogenated anesthetics (e.g., isoflurane, sevoflurane) are frequently used for inhalation anesthesia in small animal veterinary practices. They enable well-controlled and safe anesthesia of dogs, cats, and other animals, as the depth of anesthesia can be adjusted quickly and the substances are rapidly exhaled.
At the same time, however, small amounts of these anesthetic gases enter the room air, especially during the induction of anesthesia. Long-term exposure may pose health risks for practice staff.

Aim of the master's thesis
The aim of this thesis is to develop and validate a rapid method for monitoring flurane-containing anesthetic gases in room air and in exhaled breath.
The main objectives are:

• Method development using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS), including the determination of isoflurane and sevoflurane in room and exhaled breath samples in a concentration range spanning several orders of magnitude (ng/L-µg/L)
• Method validation using thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS)
• On-site measurements in one or more small animal veterinary practices

Requirements
This offer is aimed at motivated master students in chemistry or pharmacy with a focus on analytical chemistry. Applicants should be able to work in a team as well as independently, carefully and precisely, and have an interest in bioanalytical research and instrumental analysis.