PhD position in Biomedical Research - Vascularization in Regenerative Medicine

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student to pursue a project in the framework of the EU H2020-FET Open-funded consortium B2B (Breast-to-Bone). The consortium goal is to generate a first-of-a-kind 3D model of spontaneous breast cancer metastasis to the bone to dissect the complexity of the metastatic process. A novel hybrid device will be developed to propagate patient-derived tumor organoids of clinically relevant dimensions connected in a closed circuit with a vascularized marrow-containing bone ossicle, as the metastatic target. This technology will transcend the limitations of current in vitro models, enabling physiological tissue-level complexity, and its expected impact will be to recapitulate the spontaneous metastatic process in breast cancer and to lead to the identification of metastasis-suppressing therapies for breast cancer patients.

 

Your position

The Candidate will develop novel biology-based strategies to generate physiological vascularization of both the tumor organoid and the bone ossicle, enabling the circulation and homing of metastatic cells. She/he will take advantage of the unique expertise developed by the group of Cell and Gene Therapy (Basel University Hospital), building on a core understanding of basic mechanisms of vascular growth and translating these into rational therapeutic approaches for regenerative medicine. We employ a variety of platforms to deliver controlled levels and combinations of angiogenic growth factors, such as genetically modified progenitors (to provide both vascular growth and tissue regeneration, combining the approaches of cell and gene therapy), and state-of-the-art biomaterials for the tunable release of matrix-bound recombinant growth factors (bypassing the transfer of genetic material).

 

Your profile

• Background in biology, medicine or biotechnology
• Excellent communication skills
• Outstanding motivation, personal drive and a passion for research
• Ability to work in a team

 

We offer you

The Cell & Gene Therapy Group is part of the multi-disciplinary Department of Biomedicine of the University of Basel, with access to state-of-the-art molecular biology and imaging technologies, in close collaboration with the clinical Department of Surgery, and provides a unique opportunity to develop bench-to-bedside projects. Integration in several European networks provides access to a wide range of innovative technologies.

https://biomedizin.unibas.ch/en/research/research-groups/banfi-lab/

 

Application

Application Deadline: 30th June 2018.

Starting date: As soon as mutually agreed from September 2018.