iPLACENTA Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN Early Stage Researcher ESR3 - Identification of placental derived angiomodulatory extracellular vesicles

The Molecular Biotechnology Center of the University of Torino is looking for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) with a focus on the identification of placental extracellular vesicles with an angiomodulatory activity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-released small vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communication network and actively transfer to target cells various molecules, including proteins and RNA, consequently modulating cell phenotype via transcriptional and stable epigenetic changes. During pregnancy, placental-derived EVs have been identified in maternal blood. The project will focus on the characterization of placental EVs directly obtained from placental explants or amniotic fluid and on their possible role in cell-to-cell communication between the placenta and maternal vascular cells. Indeed, the cargo released in the EV may provide a natural placental derived biopsy available in the maternal blood to determine placenta wellbeing. Whereas, placental-derived EVs released in amniotic fluid may possess angiogenic properties, these characteristics may be altered in disease.

About the Laboratory of Renal and Vascular Pathophysiology and the PhD course.
The laboratory of Renal and Vascular Pathophysiology at the Molecular Biotechnology Center in Torino has a strong focus on Regenerative Medicine and Angiogenesis. The laboratory hosts biologists, biotechnologists and medical doctors from different countries with an international and multicultural atmosphere. Its research activities are aimed to approach the physiopathological aspects of human diseases in different areas (nephrology, angiogenesis, gynaecology and oncology). In particular, the laboratory has a long-term focus on stem cell derived extracellular vesicles and on their application to tissue regeneration. The Center host up-to-date laboratories, an animal facility, a Stem cell Factory (for clinical applications) and an excellence center for molecular imaging (https://www.mbc.unito.it/en/centre).
The ESR will be part of the PhD program in Medical Physiopathology. This curriculum is recruiting students with interests in the understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms underlying the processes that impact human health, with a research approach oriented to basic research applied to clinic.

Project description:
The project is part of iPlacenta (www.iplacenta.eu), a new European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme ITN under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie, to model the placenta for early detection of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, and to train the next generation of Translational Scientists for Maternal and Fetal Health.
The candidate will acquire knowledge on extracellular vesicles biogenesis, isolation and functional characterization. The training experience will provide skills in a wide range of research methods including purification and culture of endothelial, placental and amniotic fluid (stem) cells, transfection, quantitative PCR, Western Blotting, fluorescence imaging, flow cytometry analysis, ELISA etc. Special emphasizes will be put on the characterization of EV cargo and its angiogenic function. Validation will be performed in collaboration with project Partner (secondments) studying EVs from in vitro placenta on a chip and animal models. The project will contribute to characterize the placenta-derived EVs in normal and pathological pregnancies, with promising applications for diagnosis and therapy of pre-eclampsia.

Candidate profile:
- Graduate Students in Medicine, Biology and Medical or Molecular Biotechnology. Prospective students should have an excellent score in their previous classes, a strong undergraduate science background and a strong commitment to research.
- Interests in developing and translating technology to answer medical questions and solve healthcare problems in women health.
- Good knowledge of basic techniques of cell and molecular biology.
- Knowledge or experience in extracellular vesicle research is considered as an advantage
- Able to communicate with scientists, engineers and clinicians of different disciplines;
- Have a motivated, flexible and positive work attitude;
- Proficiency in English language.
- Be flexible to travel throughout the Europe in order to exchange expertise between the partners of iPLACENTA consortia

Eligibility:
To this position applies a mobility rule. The respective candidate must not have worked for more than 12 months in Italy within the last three years. Furthermore, the candidate needs to be in his/her first four years of his/her research career. The four years are counted from the date a degree was obtained which formally entitles to embark on a doctorate in the country either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided.

Starting date: 1st Sept 2018
Duration: 36 months

How to apply:
Submit an application to [Email Address Removed]
Application form can be downloaded from http://www.iplacenta.eu
Interviews by teleconference: June-July

Deadline for application: Monday 18th June 2018 (Midnight-GMT)