Assess the safety and efficacy of renal regenerative medicine therapies using advanced imaging technologies – RenalToolBox Project

The RenalToolBox is an EU-funded ITN that aims to develop novel tools and technologies to assess the safety and efficacy of cell-based regenerative medicine therapies for kidney disease. You will join a team of 15 Early Career Researchers (ESR) working across 10 different institutions towards this goal.

The ESR appointed to this project will learn how to induce acute kidney injury in mice, using a surgical approach of ischaemia reperfusion. This acute kidney injury model will then be employed to assess the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of different origins. We will also explore the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived extra-cellular vesicles (ECVs). This aspect will be performed in close collaboration with other RenalToolBox ESRs.

The safety assessment will involve imaging of whole body and organs to detect possible tumour formation using a range of preclinical imaging instruments at the University of Liverpool’s Centre for Preclinical Imaging (CPI). Efficacy will be assessed using established biomarkers of renal injury and by monitoring renal function longitudinally. At the end-point of each study, various histological and immunohistochemical analyses will be undertaken to detect the administered cells and quantify the extent of histological damage.
Multivariate data modelling will be applied to characterise changes in renal function over time using multivariate mixed-effects models. The models will take into account the longitudinal nature of the data as well as the fact that the cells will come from different sources (ESR projects). The correlation structure of the dataset will be investigated and the various efficacy outcomes will be jointly analysed. The study will be carefully designed to minimise potential sources of bias.

The student will be trained in all aspects of animal handling, surgery and use of the imaging instruments (supervised by Dr Bettina Wilm). The student will also be trained to undertake histological analyses (supervised by Dr Lorenzo Ressel) and how to perform the appropriate statistical tests (Dr Marta Garcia-Finana).

More information about the RenalToolBox consortium and this project can be found on www.renaltoolbox.org.

Requirements:
Essential:
• BSc degree in a relevant subject (biomedical or biological science-based degree).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated individual, willing to take part in personal skills training, international travel and public outreach activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to high-quality research.

Desirable:
• A Master’s degree in biomedical/biological sciences or a similar discipline.
• Research experience involving animal handling, histological or physiological analysis or preclinical imaging.

Other Requirements:
• Be in the first four years (full time equivalent) of your research career. This is measured from the date when you obtained a degree which formally entitles you to embark on a doctorate.
• Not yet have a doctoral degree.
• Have not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
• Have the ability to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English. Please note the University of Liverpool’s English Language Requirement for EU and International Students is an IELTS score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 5.5.

Selection process:
• Deadline for submitting applications: 30 November 2018
• Shortlisting: 20 December 2018
• Interviews: January/February 2019
• Start date: early 2019

For application enquiries please visit www.renaltoolbox.org or contact Dr Arthur Taylor ([Email Address Removed]) or Prof Patricia Murray ([Email Address Removed]).

To apply please send CV (with two referees) and cover letter to [Email Address Removed] .