PhD position – Deciphering the role of TDP-43 in vascular barrier and blood vessel stability

The Vascular Biology Laboratory is part of the Department of Physiological Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona (Bellvitge Campus) and of the Translational Medicine program of IDIBELL. The laboratory’s research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control the behavior of vascular cells during angiogenesis and vessel remodeling under physiological and pathological conditions. Major efforts are focused on unraveling the importance of the vascular system in tumor growth (Onetti et al. Angiogenesis (2022) 25:155-158), on the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders (Arribas et al. JCI Insight (2024) 9(5):e177819) and on ophthalmological disorders (Figueiredo, Villacampa et al. Circulation (2020) 147:688-704). To achieve our goals, we use an interdisciplinary approach that includes mouse genetic tools, clinical validations in human samples, cell culture models, molecular biology assays, systems biology approaches and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

Project description – Deciphering the role of TDP-43 in vascular barrier and blood vessel stability

Defects in vascular growth and stability underlie the ontogeny and/or progression of many pathological processes, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer and neurological disorders. TDP-43 is a DNA/RNA binding protein that regulates gene expression and its malfunction in neurons has been causally associated with multiple neurodegenerative disorders. Although progress has been made in understanding the functions of TDP-43 in neurons, little is known about its role in blood vessels. The aim of the project is to unravel novel functions of TDP-43 and its importance in angiogenesis, vascular function and inflammation in both physiological and pathological situations.

Conditions – Position filled for 3+1 years

The group is funded by Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Fundació la Marato TV3. The position is open starting from the 1st of September 2024 and will be filled for 3+1 years. We offer:

·         Contract.

·         Dynamic working conditions.

Requirements – Enthusiastic and skillful candidates

We are looking for candidates with a degree in life sciences or medicine with a good academic record and fluency in English. Work in the group encompasses state-of-the-art genetic tools in mice, RNA-sequencing, cell culture models, vascular organoids, molecular biology assays and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy. The successful applicant will work in an interdisciplinary research environment.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, academic record and a statement of research interest to Dr. Eloi Montanez Miralles (emontanez@ub.edu).