PhD-student position (5-year assistantship in veterinary medical biochemistry) in a project:

'CHIMERIC CATTLE TWINS - IMPLICATIONS IN DEVELOPMENTAL AND STEM CELL BIOLOGY'

In cattle twin pregnancies, vascular anastomoses form between the placental circulations. This leads to exchange of cellular and non-cellular blood components. Engraftment of circulating allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells is possible since the immunological machinery is still immature and learns to tolerate the grafted cells. The spontaneous chimerism in cattle twins can be exploited to reveal information related to cell migration, differentiation and utilization of cell plasticity in outbred animals.

References:

Niku M, Ilmonen L, Pessa-Morikawa T, and Iivanainen A (2004): Limited contribution of circulating cells to the development and maintenance of nonhematopoietic bovine tissues. Stem Cells 22, 12-20.

Pessa-Morikawa T, Niku M, and Iivanainen A (2004): Persistent differences in the level chimerism in B versus T cells of freemartin cattle. Dev Comp Immunol. 28, 77-87.

Niku M, Pessa-Morikawa T, Andersson LC, Iivanainen A (2002): Oligoclonal Peyer's patch follicles in the terminal small intestine of cattle. Dev Comp Immunol. 26, 689-695.

The applicant should have completed a degree in medical or biomedical sciences. Prior working experience with stem cells, membrane proteins, eukaryotic expression systems, or genetic marking of cells is appreciated. The group currently comprises 6 persons. We have recently moved to modern and well equipped facilities in Viikki campus of the University of Helsinki. The project is funded by The Academy of Finland, The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and The Finnish Veterinary Foundation.

A moderate teaching load is included. Teaching can be carried out in English, if necessary. In the veterinary curriculum, biochemistry, physiology and anatomy teaching is intergrated. More information:

research www.vetmed.helsinki.fi/pell/anatomia/eng/research

teaching (in Finnish) www.vetmed.helsinki.fi/opiskelu/perustutkinto/opinto-oppaat.htm

by email tiina.pessa-morikawa [at] helsinki.fi

Send your application, cv and contact information of two references to:

Eläinlääketieteellinen tiedekunta kanslia PL 66 00014 HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO

Deadline for application: November 3, 2005 at 3.45 p.m.