About the Project
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex syndrome that disproportionately affects women and the elderly, and accounts for half of all heart failure cases. Long-term prognosis for HFpEF patients remains poor and mortality rates are unacceptably high. Pharmacological trials employing classical heart failure therapy in HFpEF patients have shown particularly disappointing results. Therefore, the lack of effective treatments for HFpEF represents a large and growing unmet need in cardiology today. Ultimately, the long-term goal of our proposal is to develop a novel non-coding RNA-based therapy for HFpEF.
To address these goals, we propose the following aims:
Aim 1. To evaluate the contribution of previously identified cardiac- and fibroblast-specific microRNAs in regulating hypertrophic and fibrotic intracellular pathways, in vitro, in isolated cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts;
Aim 2. To evaluate the anti-remodeling and anti-fibrotic effects of cardiac microRNAs’ pharmacological modulation, in vivo, in a pre-clinical model of HFpEF. In relation to this, we will also address the contribution of circulatory microRNAs secreted from distal organs on different cardiac phenotypes (i.e., hypertrophy and fibrosis);
Aim 3. To determine the prognostic value of circulatory microRNAs in patients with diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF. To do this, we will take advantage of our preliminary findings and of our previously identified targets for developing new therapeutic and diagnostic tools for HFpEF patients.
Job description
We invite candidates to apply for a three-year PhD position at the Institute for Experimental Medical Research (IEMR), Oslo University Hospital, situated in the picturesque Capital of Norway. The student will be supported by an annual salary funded by the National Association for Public Health (Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen). The Project will be conducted in the Group of Professor Alessandro Cataliotti (M.D. and PhD) and supervised by Dr Gustavo Jose Justo da Silva (MSc, PhD).
Applicants are expected to hold a Medical degree or equivalent Master’s degree in Molecular Biology or Cardiovascular Physiology. Candidates with prior experience in laboratory work, particular within cardiovascular research and molecular biology are encouraged to apply. The working language is English, and excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of the Norwegian language is not required. The PhD candidate may participate in collaborative projects at the University of Perugia (Italy), to implement new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in HFpEF (i.e. RAMAN spectroscopy technology, microvesicles and exosomes). Thus, being fluent in Italian would be an advantage, but not a prerequisite. Value will be placed on compatibility of the applicant’s professional and personal disposition.
We are looking for a person with the following characteristics:
- Genuine interest in research
- Enthusiastic, reliable and structured
- Determined and results-oriented
- Team player
All applications must be submitted via the online portal the link to which and details of required documents, can be found below:
View Website:
https://2411.webcruiter.no/Main/Recruit/Public/4263292744?culture_id=nb&link_source_id=0
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