Changes in Na+ and Ca2+ metabolism play a crucial role in numerous diseases.  Interestingly, ion dysregulation is often based on similar mechanisms, which should be studied on an interdisciplinary basis. The Fakultät für Medizin together with the Fakultät für Biologie und Vorklinische Medizin 
in Regensburg will offer an innovative doctoral programme in order to inspire medical students for scientific work at a very early stage of their career.  The programme will introduce them to the depth and scope of medical research and aims to improve the quality of doctoral theses.  Establishing contact at a particularly early stage in the pre-clinical phase is a unique feature and will significantly improve the recruitment of excellent students.