Elaboration of molecular probes and in vitro models for studying the response of vascular cells in atherosclerotic plaques, both at the cellular (in vitro) and organ (ex vivo) levels.

Pathomechanobioengineering Laboratory

Long term objective:

Understand the role of the mechanical properties (substrate and scaffold, complex, regional) of the supporting matrix in mechanopathobiology (cellular expression under mechanical stimuli) through the development of in vitro models to characterize cellular function (1), ex vivo/in vivo mechanical properties characterization (2) and in vitro/ex vivo/in vivo molecular imaging (3). These are crucial steps into improving treatment of these diseases which affect an increasing number of persons around the globe.

Projects:

1. Design in vitro models mimicking plaque neighbouring regions in terms of the mechanical properties of the vessel wall, the orientation and constitution of the substrate and the hemodynamic forces applied. (variable and controllable mechanical properties)

2. Characterize the mechanical properties of the vessel wall in atherosclerotic regions (tensile testing, anatomical imaging)

3. Study cell expression and biomarkers in mechanically challenging regions (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo) (biomolecular techniques, histology, molecular probes, imaging).

Tasks:

Develop, validate, test, elaborate techniques, models, analysis procedures used in the laboratory aiming at better treating, detecting and understanding pathologies and the role of mechanical forces in their progression and outcome. It can involve mechanical design, determination of mechanical forces, and extensive biological work.

Work environment :

Situated in Sherbrooke, a lovely city in the eastern townships of Quebec, Canada (200km from Montreal), the candidate will be supervised by a quadrilingual young professor (French, English, Spanish, Portuguese).

Any person wishing to join this team should be highly motivated, dynamic and autonomous. A multidisciplinary environment is in place with a team of chemists, physicists, engineers, biologists and medical doctors to solve issues related to the medical field.

Students should have prior knowledge in engineering (mechanical or chemical) with a desire to perform biological analyses (and some demonstration of this), requiring good manual skills.

Skills/Abilities/Aptitudes

Problem solving, Critical thinking Fast-thinker, Rigorous

Self-motivated, Resourcefull, Dynamic, Motivated, Desire to learn.

Manual ability to construct and perform delicate operations

Team work, Ability to communicate and work with others

French NOT required.

Please contact Dr. Rouleau for any questions.