Investigating blood vessels assembly and maturation with a round-up approach employing iPSC-derived endothelial and vascular accessory cells in custom perfusion bioreactors

Blood vessel deliver oxygen and nutrients to all tissues and are primarily involved in organisms & tissue growth, patterning and homeostasis. Unsurprisingly, achieving proper vascularisation is a primary goal of any tissue engineering strategy. Main players of vascular formation and homeostasis are endothelial cells (EC) which line the lumen of all blood vessels exerting primary functions such as control over vascular permeability, immune cells trafficking and stem cells niches. EC exhibit a remarkable degree of phenotypical heterogeneity accounting for their different functions. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving EC heterogeneity and functions and employing them to achieve the vascularisation and promote the growth of engineered tissue is an extremely appealing goal. General aims of the project are to determine how tissue specific vascular cells are assembled and maintained in vascular networks and to employ this knowledge to generate perfused vascular networks in vitro. To these aims, iPSC technology will be employed to obtain EC and vascular accessory cells and to study their assembly into vascular structures in perfused computer controlled microfluidic systems. This research will improve our understanding over EC specification and contribute in realising physiologically relevant models of vascular networks for basic research and tissue engineering strategies.

Research training
Through the proposed project the candidate will acquire a series of specific technical skills in: 1) EC and vascular cells culture and biology, 2) iPSC technology, 3) high content image analysis, 4) CAD, 3D printing, soft lithography, 4) Statistical analysis and bio-informatics tools. Specialist training (e.g. CAD, high content image analysis, bio- informatics) will be also acquired through workshops, courses and dedicated training sessions. The candidate will be part of the recently established lab run by L Veschini, he/she will participate in activities such as routine lab management and resources micro-management. The candidate will be encouraged to acquire solid presentation and writing skills by attending/contributing to lab and divisional meetings/journal clubs and by contributing to papers/grants writing. The candidate will also be encouraged to disseminate the results of his/her research in international conferences. By completing this PhD the candidate will acquire a solid background in EC and vascular cells biology complemented by a series of other technical skills which will represent an excellent basis for a career in research. The candidate will be primarily involved in the publication of the results arising from the project and also invited to contribute to parallel projects in the lab to start establishing a publications track record. This project employs leading edge technologies in different fields (iPSC, high-resolution 3D printing, high-content imaging and analysis), by acquiring the relative skills the candidate will build a valuable curriculum enabling career opportunities within and outside academia.

Person specification
The ideal candidate would hold a degree in Biological sciences or Biomedical Engineering. Previous hands-on experience/background/experience in one or more of the following 1) Vascular cells biology/angiogenesis, 2) Stem or primary cell culture, 3) cell characterisation by immunofluorescence (FACS or conventional/high content microscopy) will be considered highly advantageous. The candidate is expected to be enthusiastic and willing to tackle a challenging cross-disciplinary project involving iPSC derived vascular cells’ culture in 3D, Computer assisted design, 3D printing and high-content microscopy and image analysis.