FYI
PhD position AND Post-doctoral position
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, GIGA-Cancer, at the
University of Liège (Belgium) (PI: Professor Agnès NOEL) has two opening
positions (starting on October 1st
2019) for
1. a PhD candidate (Télévie
grant-F.R.S-FNRS)
2. a post-doctoral candidate starting on October 1st
(two years position)
Project summary:
The lymphatic vasculature is a hugely underappreciated component of the
tumor microenvironment. Besides its recognized role in fluid homeostasis and
regional immunity, the complexity of lymphatic vessels is now emerging. New
lymphatic vessels form (lymphangiogenesis) within primary tumors and
contribute to cancer cell dissemination to lymph nodes. This project is based
on our pioneering identification of uPARAP as a specific master regulator of
lymphangiogenesis in cancer. uPARAP controls specifically the
lymphangiogenic process without affecting angiogenesis (Durré et al, 2018).
This endocytic receptor is a partner of VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 that regulates
their heterodimerization and drives VEGF-C mediated lymphatic endothelial
cell migration. The unique role of uPARAP in lymphatic vascular
morphogenesis and drainage function offers new possibilities to interfere with
lymphatic vessel functions during cancer cell dissemination and in lymphedema
induced by cancer treatment. Our objective is to conduct further in-depth
mechanistic investigation on the roles of uPARAP in pathological processes
with the following specific goals:
Ø
to evaluate the potential impact of uPARAP as an anti-metastatic
therapeutic target in vivo;
Ø
to investigate uPARAP functions in lymphedema in vivo;
Ø
to decipher uPARAP-driven molecular mechanisms of lymphatic
morphogenesis in vitro.
Techniques
The project relies on a panel of in vivo and in vitro assays. It combines cellular,
biochemical and molecular biology techniques (Cell culture, Western Blotting,
RT-qPCR, RNA-Sequencing, Cell signaling, immunohistochemistry, co-IP,
Mass Spectrometry, transfection/transduction for gene expression,
Information on: Durré
et al, Nature Communications. 9(1):5178, 2018.
https://www.gigalbtd.uliege.be/cms/c_4256809/fr/portail-gigalbtd
The ideal candidate will be highly motivated
and
-
for PhD candidate: has a Master in Biomedical Sciences/Biology/Biochemistry.
-
for Post-doc candidate: has an experience in the assays/approaches mentioned above.
è
Interested candidates should send their CV and application letter to
Professor Agnès Noel (agnes.noel@uliege.be).
Pirkko Huhtala, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Biocenter Oulu
University of Oulu
Mailing address: P.O.Box 5000, FIN-90014 University of Oulu Finland
Street address: 476B, Aapistie 5A, FIN-90220 Oulu
Tel. sis/int. 486101, ulk./Ext. 0294 486101
Tel. +358-294 486101
e-mail
pirkko.huhtala@oulu.fi